Managing large online classes across multiple locations.

Abstract

We now have many different ways of delivering educational offerings, hopefully tailored to the educational environments and student characteristics. Programs vary based on country of origin and delivery location, organisational structures, development and delivery technologies, and the business arrangements made between providers and agents/students. At Central Queensland University (CQU) we deliver the same courses domestically and internationally, often with more than 1000 students per offering, several times per year across 14 campuses located thousands of kilometers apart using face-to-face and/or virtual mode. The students are a mix of Australian distance and on campus plus international on campus. This chapter builds on the CQU experience managing these large classes, particularly within the Faculty of Informatics and Communication, using an evolving mix of technologies. The economic realities of tertiary education require providers to focus on servicing international markets, including an emphasis on student preferences for language of instruction, preferred location (campus or distance delivery) and mode of instruction. Educational delivery requires development and delivery teamwork, maintenance of consistency (quality) in terms of offerings and assessment, appropriate use of technology and cultural awareness.