Social Inequality Distance Education Course

Social InequalityE-learning Course

Group 3 ParticipantsMiriam NiblackLee RogersJeanine SalifouMichelle Smith

Course Highlights3 credit graduate elective course for MSW students

Mainly print-based with audio tapes as supplements

120 hours of study time and offered once a year

Costs AnalysisCourse Overhead (Recurrent)

Development Costs - Overheads (Fixed)

Development and Production Costs (Fixed)

Maintenance Costs (Fixed)

Annual Presentation Costs (Variable)

Income (Tuition/Fees)

Course Overhead - RecurrentA COURSE OVERHEADS Type of unitNo of units Rate per unit Costs ($$)Management (ongoing)per annum salary0.2065000$13,000.00Secretarial support (ongoing)per annum salary0.3331500$10,395.00Recurrent costs$23,395.00R

5Development & Production CostsDEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION COSTSDevelopment PrintType of unitNo of units Rate per unit Costs ($$)Authoring study guidesStudy guide (50 pp)101500$15,000.00Editing course reader Reader (150 pp)12000$2,000.00Editing and design Per 50 pp15700$10,500.00Copyright clearancePer 50 pp151100$16,500.00Development CassettesType of unitNo of units Rate per unit Costs ($$)Development of audio cassettesper 30 min tape5500$2,500.00Professional Speakerper 30 min tape5300$1,500.00Productionper 30 min tape5700$3,500.00Development of AssignmentsType of unitNo of units Rate per unit Costs ($$)Development of AssignmentsAssignment3150$450.00Total fixed costs of development FD$75,345.00

Maintenance Costs (fixed)MAINTENANCE COSTS (PART OF PRINTED MATERIAL ONLY)Authoring of study guidePer study guide2$1,000.00$2,000.00Editing and designPer study guide2$600.00$1,200.00Total fixed costs of maintenanceFM$3,200.00Total fixed costs of maintenance and developmentF$78,545.00

Annual Presentation CostsANNUAL PRESENTATION COSTS (all per student)Student SupportType of unitNo of units Rate per unit Cost/student ($$)Marking of assignment Per assignment 320$60.00Tutor (per class section of 25)Per Hour and group of 253015$18.00Tutor ExpensesPer group pf 25150$2.00ProductionType of unitNo of units Rate per unit Cost/student ($$)Production study guidesPer study guide105.5$55.00Production of assignmentsPer supplementary unit31.25$3.75Production of course readerper reader112$12.00Production of cassetteper cassette55.6$28.00Packaging and postageper mailing315.4$46.20

Bates ACTION ModelAccess is available to our target audience of graduate students are working adults between the ages of 21 34 via online for the MSW course.Targeted group will have access at appropriate locations that include at home, on campus computer labs with Internet access and at the local centre for open learning. Costs and cost drivers include direct fixed costs of development such as course materials such as study guides, CD-ROM, and DVD.

Bates ACTION Model continuedDirect costs of presentation include tutoring and counselors. Costs associated with student support are variable costs that can increase or decrease with the volume of student enrollment which can include packaging and postage. Teaching and learning for the course will use a Humanistic and Constructivism approach as both utilize social processes and use individual experiences and shared dialogue and discussion for reflection in a class that deals with social aspects of society

Bates ACTION Model continuedMedia in the form of books, audio cassettes, computers and Internet as each bring a differing content structure that can help in regards to the different styles of learning being used in the class.Interaction will be in the form of two-way asynchronous communication via the Internet with course conferences as well as one-way synchronous communication of email.Organization issues include hiring technical staff and training for teachers. Use of Internet and providing access to students is important and available through the use of computer labs and open learning centres.

Bates ACTION Model continuedNovelty wise we will continue to use low cost media such as print-based and cassettes but will work slowly to implement new technologies as to ensure proper training of staff and technical support and digital literacy training for students. Speed is a factor that will include high speed Internet access in our facilities for students to access classes and we will continue to development and do regular maintenance to ensure learning and teaching is at its optimal level.

ConclusionIn conclusion, in order to implement and develop the 3 credit graduate course of Social Inequality over one year and accounting for increased student enrollment over seven years we must do a cost analysis. After doing the cost analysis, it resulted that the course would see returns in year five and beyond. This is due to the increased student enrollment as the costs of the course are shared because the fixed costs of designing and producing the course are divided among larger numbers.

ReferencesAshley Crossman http://sociology.about.com/od/Disciplines/a/Sociology-Of-Social-Inequality.htm

Quick Study. (2000). Sociology: The Basic Principles of Sociology for Introductory Courses. Boca Raton, FL: BarCharts, Inc.http://definitions.uslegal.com/s/social-inequality/

Bates, A. W. (2005). Technology, e-learning and distance education. New York: Routledge.

Rumble, G. (1997). The costs and economics of open and distance learning. London: Routledge.