Abstract:

The Open Learning Division of Thompson Rivers University is now 8 years old. Over this period our enrolments have increased approximately 11 % and our number of Open Learning Faculty Members has increased approximately 247%. This case study will explore the leadership strategies Open Learning has employed to achieve capacity, confidence and quality in instruction, flexibility and innovation in the implementation of our financial model, and other models of governance in place to address the needs of learners and Open Learning Faculty Members.

From orientation and online training opportunities to socials, conferences and a video newsletter, we will discuss and describe the seven major components of our faculty development program and the apparent impacts. This initiative reaches out to over 200 Open Learning Faculty Members, working virtually across British Columbia to better the educational and learning opportunities of our primary demographic, mid-career adults looking to start or upgrade their education.

Sustaining institutional viability while ensuring cost efficiencies, through periods of slow and rapid growth will be explained via the flexible and entrepreneurial financial model, utilized by Open Learning. We will address how this model accommodates slow, moderate and rapid growth. It also provides motivation and opportunities for Open Learning Faculty Members to motivate their students through the implementation of online best practices, ingenuity and entrepreneurial skills.

Positive stakeholder relations generally benefit everyone and support the institutional reputation. We will explore a number of forums, both formal and informal, that have been created over the years to ensure all stakeholders (faculty, students and staff), are recognized and have an opportunity to have their needs addressed.

Finally we will conclude with lessons learned on this eight-year journey and highlight some of the future challenges we expect to encounter in the rapidly changing environment of Open and Distance Learning.

Keywords:

Leadership, Administration, Distance, Online, Virtual Education.