This is a concise (148 page) book just published that covers the vast majority of issues that those responsible for leading and managing online program development must know about and consider.  It is the most complete, direct, and pragmatic book we have found on the topic.  And an important topic it is!

Right now there is a proliferation of advice, metrics, frameworks, rubrics - you name it – on how to develop quality online courses.  Yet, studies of organizations of all types have found that it is the macro level decision making that effects success disproportionately.  This book covers all the primary areas that need consideration and decisions to guide and focus an online endeavor.  We recommend this book to those relatively early in their online progress as well as a useful review for established programs.

This book is very readable and is chock full of references for those that want to dig deeper on the subjects presented.   The book covers leadership, strategic planning, setting policy, developing a simple business plan, providing support to faculty, providing online services to students, strategies for student retention, technology issues, and marketing.

The value of this book is it helps you consider all the pieces that must be considered to develop and guide an effective online effort.  As our own research into best practices in Internet-supported learning has indicated, success in online learning is not rocket science but does involve the right combination of motivation, leadership, programmatic approach, faculty support, student support, and measurement.   

For most institutions resource challenges require careful prioritization that achieves incremental success that builds upon itself.  While An Administrator’s Guide to Online Education does not explicitly address the issue of prioritization it lays out the big picture.  Seeing the big picture is key to developing appropriate priorities.