Assessment of distance education programs in the Montana University System

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the practices of faculty members and administrators in the state of Montana to determine how program level assessment for distance delivered programs was being designed and conducted. Data collected for this qualitative study was in the form of transcripts of interviews conducted by the researcher. Participant campuses were selected by the Assistant Montana Commissioner for Higher Education for Distance Education. Participants were the identified with the assistance of campus distance education directors at each of the campuses. The campuses identified are part of the Montana University System, and a fourth campus identified is a community college, administered in part by the Montana University System. Participants responded to a series of questions posed by the researcher. The transcripts of these interviews were analyzed for common themes, and these themes were then used to describe the methods currently being employed by faculty and administrators actively engaged in delivering distance education programs.