The influence of government funding on online course development at two Ontario colleges : a help or a hindrance?

Abstract

This thesis explores the influence of government funding on online course development, specifically the Shared Online Course fund offered to two Ontario colleges. It uses a qualitative case study research approach to examine the impact that it had on administrators, faculty, and staff members who were part of online course development under this fund. The findings of the study identify the degree to which the funding influenced the ability of the institutions to develop internal capacity to develop courses online, notes best practices, identifies what challenges were encountered, and makes recommendations that can be implemented for future programs similar to this one. Keywords: development, instructional design, government funding, online learning.