21964f


 * Proposal submission #21964**

Past Perspectives, Future Imperatives: A Factor Analysis of Identified Barriers to Distance Education from an Administrative Perspective
 * Title**

W. Randolph Rhoton, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Arizona, USA, wrrhoton@hotmail.com Mary I. Dereshiwsky, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff Arizona, USA, statcatmd@earthlink.net
 * Presenter(s)**

The research about barriers to distance education has undergone several decades of identification and interpretation. However, it was not until the advent of the research of Zane Berge that such an extensive look at barriers in the environment of distance education was realized. The authors have replicated and extended Berge's original work via a multivariate factor analysis of surveys of administrators, managers, and department chairs regarding current perceived barriers to distance education. In addition, twenty individual in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with leaders of governance of higher education institutions. Results revealed a significant paradigm shift since the original work of Berge. Analysis of 64 factors revealed a particular weakening of barriers involving human interaction (e.g., faculty issues, compensation, assessment and organizational inertia). Implications of weakening barriers to successful implementation of distance education as found in this study will be discussed with particular focus on administrative planning. Pragmatically, a continuing assessment of barriers is necessary. An administrative structure that is flexible, innovative, and experienced in terms of a united faculty and administrative response to recognized needs in the evolving paradigm of distance education is evident.
 * Description**

Asynchronous discussion Not previously published All audiences
 * Notes & Comments**