A STUDY ON FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION CENTER TO SUPPORT ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN THAILAND

Abstract

                   This research aimed to study on the framework of educational technology and communications center (ETC center) to support online distance learning courses (ODL courses) for higher education in Thailand. This research used qualitative research methods by case studies of two ETC centers. The key performance consisted of 5 executives and 1 staffs of ETC center. Data were collected by interviewing using semi-structured interview form and analyzed by inductive interpretation summary. The research findings were that (1) the framework of ETC center of the case study 1 composed of 5 frameworks which were similar to all the case studies 2. The 5 frameworks were technical infrastructure investment, e-Courseware design, student support, teacher support, and electronic help desk. (2) the framework of ETC center of the case study 2 have composed of 15 frameworks including 5 frameworks and 10 more frameworks; program planning, organization structure, coordination, budgeting, public relations, orientation, registration, learner monitoring, staff support, and quality management of distance education.