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An Instrumental Case Study of Administrative Smart Practices for Fully Online Programs and Degrees
Abstract
An Instrumental Case Study of Administrative Smart Practices for Fully Online Programs and Degrees Charles V. Gregory, Ed.D. University of Nebraska, 2017 Advisor: Brent Cejda The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore administrators’ responses to significant administrative challenges of fully online programs and degrees. The case was a single public community college located in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System Plains Region. In this study Bardach’s (1994) method to identify and extrapolate smart practices used to resolve administrative challenges arising from an institution’s online and distance education programming. The concept of smart practice aims to exploit or take advantage of some latent opportunity for creating value. Organizational culture was identified to be of significant influence in identifying the value the institution placed on a practice, action, activity, or approach to resolving an issue, therefore, directly affecting the value qualifiers for smart practices identified. Four smart practices were identified: (a) adequate student services for eLearning students; (b) adequate assessment of eLearning classes; (c) addressing accessibility and universal design; and (d) support staff needed for training and technical assistance. Also of significance five themes were identified: (a) adaptation; (b) collaboration; (c) creativity; (d) technology leveraging; and (e) budget. The themes provided an expanded understanding of the institution's organizational culture to more fully characterize the smart practices. Utilizing Bardach’s (1994) method has reasonable probability to aid higher education institutions in the search for solutions to administrative challenges affiliated with online programs and degrees.
Subject Area
Higher Education Administration|Educational leadership|Higher education
Recommended Citation
Gregory, Charles V, "An Instrumental Case Study of Administrative Smart Practices for Fully Online Programs and Degrees" (2017). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI10270922.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI10270922