Success factors in distance education

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International Journal of Case Method Research & Application (2005) XVII, 2 

© 2005 WACRA®. All rights reserved ISSN 1554-7752 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNIFICANT SUCCESS FACTORS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION 

 

 

Peter W. Olson 

Utica College 

UTICA, NEW YORK, U.S.A. 

 

 

Abstract 

 

The Internet is a major technological advancement which reshapes not only our 

society, but also changes how universities operate. To stay competitive, universities need  

to develop new online delivery methods. This paper describes the results of a survey of 

students enrolled in an online management course at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute 

(N.Y., U.S.A.). Three success factors in online delivery are identified: technology, the 

instructor and the previous use of the technology by the student. In the future, the 

instructor will continue to play a central role in education, as a learning catalyst and 

knowledge navigator for students participating in online education