Designing a Cybernetic Methodology to Maintain a Quality Distance Learning Programme at Sunderland University

摘要

Today's universities are faced with greater competition than ever before. The effects of government targets and the global movement of students can be seen as a major factor in this. Also, the introduction of a modular system to improve the flexibility of programmes offered to students has increased the complexity of the administrative and co-ordination processes within departments, schools and university as a wholernSunderland University has set up a specialised unit to manage their distance learning programmes, known as the Computing and Engineering Distance Education Centre, CEDEC. The emphasis is to offer distance learning students, who will learn at remote centres, the same range and quality of student service as those studying on the university campus.rnThe paper will model CEDEC and its relationships within the School and the University. The methodology chosen is the VSM. This will be used to discuss issues such as resource bargaining, autonomy and control.