In the first part of the paper, I combined concepts from systems theory and school-based management (SBM) approaches. By superimposing these concepts, I described a business structure for the experimental ODL agency and included four sub-systems from Vivier (2008): Materials Sub-System, Student Sub-System, Logistical Sub-System and Regulatory Sub-System. I also discussed SBM as an alternative organizational model and its main constituents as defined by Leithwood and Menzies (1998, cited in The World Bank, 2008): Administrative Control, Professional Control, Community Control and Balanced Control.

In the Personnel and Infrastructure Requirements section of the paper, I outlined a typical support services structure (Rovai, Ponton, & Baker, 2008, p. 59), which can be viewed by clicking here.

Effective financial management is a foundational goal for all educational institutions, and therefore the costs and cost structure of the distance learning systems was a critical section of this paper. I cited Bates’ (2000) estimated cost analysis of a web-based course. My professor commented¹:

"You have reviewed the main cost drivers and issues related to costing – as promised".

However he also commented on the emerging technologies and how they would financially affect educational institutions:  

"... look into the future – ie do web 2.0 services in which learners contribute and help themselves make a difference. What about cost savings from Open Education resources..."  

The complete evaluative feedback is included on pages 14 and 15 in the artefact file.

¹:Permission to use this graded assignment as artefact was received by email on 07/12/2010.