A Digital Field of Dreams: The Social Construction of Distance Education Programs at Public Universities

................................................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER ONE. INTRODUCTION............................................................................. 11 Overview .................................................................................................................... 11 Digital Diploma Mills – Distance Education at Public Universities..................... 12 Digital Dreams – Institutional Goals for Distance Education .............................. 13 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 15 Statement of Purpose ................................................................................................. 16 Design of the Study ................................................................................................... 18 Significance of the Study........................................................................................... 19 The Selected Case Study ........................................................................................... 21 Arizona’s Tri-University Master of Engineering Program ................................... 21 A Digital Field of Dreams...................................................................................... 22 CHAPTER TWO. LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................. 23 Overview ................................................................................................................... 23 Distance Education in Postsecondary Education ...................................................... 23 Distance Education Fundamentals........................................................................ 24 The State’s Role in Distance Education................................................................ 31 The Institution’s Role in Distance Education........................................................ 35 Social Groups Involved with Distance Education................................................. 38 What is Missing in the Literature.......................................................................... 41 Theoretical Foundation.............................................................................................. 43 Social Construction of Technology Theory........................................................... 43 Power Theory......................................................................................................... 46 Social Interlocks Theory........................................................................................ 47 Methodology.............................................................................................................. 48 Conclusion.................................................................................................................. 49