BUSINESS PLAN

Business Plan for Distance learning

Abstract

This business plan intended at making the most of offering online education via a web portal. The strengths of DL Limited are the existing student base and firm foundation of contacts in the universities of UK and Turkey. However, this plan seeks further to extend the student base to Middle East and US. With the backing of strong pedagogical models, this paper presents the plan to exploit the World Wide Web and other modern technologies to overcome the geographic barriers.

Business Plan for Distance learning

Introduction

Academic institutions, at the beginning of the 21st century, are in transition. This transition is due, in large part, to increasing competition and market changes that impact learning opportunities in higher education. This transition is due to market forces, where institutions challenged by economic pressures, new and diverse education choices and community demands (Newman et al, 2004, pp.44). In the 21st century, individuals have witnessed and been impacted by significant technological innovations in all aspects of their daily lives. Distance education is not a new concept and has existed in one form or another since the 1800s (Coe Regan & Youn, 2008). Development of technology and its use in the classroom influenced by the higher education environment, students, and faculty. Numerous authors identified the need for educators to model appropriate student behavior in online learning environments, whether it is to promote interactivity, develop learning opportunities consistent with student abilities, or to develop a sense of trust to facilitate learning (McPherson and Nunes, 2004). There is no doubt that new developments in technology will continue to evolve, making distance learning more effective. However, it is important that these rapid developments be carefully planned to include evaluation, continued research and, the influence technology has on student learning (Coe Regan & Youn, 2008, pp.22).

Sterling Consulting is also seeking to enter into the lucrative market of online education. This business plan will seek to determine potential target markets for the DL Limited. Currently the existing UK and Turkey based students are a primary focus of this program. However, this paper seeks to determine which other areas can give the most suitable student's base to DL Limited in terms of potential customers.

Market Overview

The University of London became the world's first higher education institution to offer a distance learning program. In 1858, the University of London External System established the provision of higher education and degrees to students of any race, religion, gender, or location. The efforts laid the foundations for an approach to learning that would become a major source of higher education worldwide. It paved the way for correspondence study, extension divisions, and distance education programs in universities and colleges around the globe, including online distance education. The University of London External System set up quality standards from its inception, and these same standards continue to this day. Distance education standards required distance learning students to do exactly the same work at the same level of achievement as traditional campus-based ...