ERIC Number: ED431384
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1998-Apr
Pages: 8
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Needs Assessment: A Systematic Approach for Successful Distance Education.
Stewart, Robert G.; Cuffman, Darcey M.
The purpose of this paper is to promote and improve needs assessment in distance education through the exploration of eight questions: (1) what is a needs assessment?; (2) how are needs assessments related to successful distance education?; (3) where have needs assessments been used in distance education?; (4) which approach to needs assessment should one choose?; (5) what sources and methods might one use for collecting data?; (6) what should one consider when conducting a curriculum development needs assessment?; (7) what factors influence (i.e., inhibit, facilitate) the use of needs assessment results?; and (8) what criteria can be used to evaluate a needs assessment? The scope of the paper is limited to include only interactive television (ITV), its complexities, and its criteria for educational materials. To aid further study, sample distance education needs assessments are cited. (Contains 38 references.) (Author/AEF)
Descriptors: Curriculum Development, Data Analysis, Distance Education, Educational Assessment, Educational Planning, Educational Technology, Evaluation Criteria, Evaluation Methods, Higher Education, Instructional Development, Instructional Effectiveness, Interactive Television, Literature Reviews, Needs Assessment
Web site: http://www.mtsu.edu/~itconf/proceed98/rstewart.html
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference (3rd, Murfreesboro, TN, April 5-7, 1998).