Wednesday, September 23, 2009

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Ponder University Case studies reveal the following Strengths: (1) strong institutions and well funded; (2)high demands for online Education Master's degree program (3) budget for startup development, technology software, and hardware; (4) Ponder University has a reputation for collaborative education among students. According to Kanuka (2008), based on these findings there are evidences that the university meet the financial obligation to implement an E-learning technologies online program. The strengths of the University is characterized as a collaboration environment where teacher and students are known to have a partnership relationship and furthermore students' role is active which would provide students in their online program challenges and ways how students could be encouraged to engage in a learner online community.

The following Weaknesses were found; (1)no experience in designing online programs; (2)no experience teaching distance education ; (3) teachers level under graduate degree. Parker (2008), emphasized in a distance learning environment organization must demonstrate the best practice for online education that would ensure students with development of critical thinking skills, but at most students to develop that sense of community which enable the learners to collaborate in a learning environment. These learning practices can be integrated by new institution measurements to establish a basis frame work of quality assurance activities.

As with Opportunities, the following are: 1. Students are located in different geographical settings throughout the region;2. Potential students will come from a wide range of School districts; and (3) Open enrollment new population of students; Siemens . In this week video, Siemens (2008), point out when designing a distance learning community educators must create a mix of individual and community based environment this would provides the best way to get students to participate in a learning community that would have an outcome of a high functioning learning community

Finally the following are Threats: (1) resistance faculty members, and administrators; (2)faculty members Concerns of learning new program; According to Simonson (2009), Institutions and members of faculty will gradually adopt distance education technologies, and will slowly appreciate the value of distance education. However, the development of Quality Assurance system would allow institutions to set standards, monitor performance, and make improvement in all aspect of online distance education.

Conclusion: after examine the results, I found that there is still some resistance to develop the online program. However, there is evidences that distance learning ensure collaboration challenges that would increase the quality of learning experiences to provide students and teachers with new knowledge and skills. Furthermore, online degree program is the preferred method.

Reference:
Anderson, T. (Ed.) (2008). The theory and practice of online learning. Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.
Simonson, M. "Principles of Distance Education Video: Distance Education: The Next Generation." Walden University, 2009. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved September 19, 2009

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