Abstract
Management is the execution of processes such as financing of institutions, provision of production tools, marketing of produced goods and services, regulation of business processes, determination of strategies, organization of human resources using the most efficient resources. The management of open and distance learning (ODL) institutions can be examined in various dimensions concerning these processes. This chapter describes the financing, marketing steps, information systems, benchmarking, quality, and accreditation processes of the ODL institutions' management. It is understood that these processes in the management of ODL institutions contain very different components from those in the on-campus educational institutions and have a hierarchical structure within themselves. In this chapter, the management dimension in ODL systems is examined in all aspects, supported by reports from reputable organizations and other studies in the literature.
TopIntroduction
Management is the science of acting in the right place, at the right time, with the right people and tools in order to carry out a certain task with success by using the resources rationally. According to Henry Fayol (1841–1925), five main functions of management are indicated as planning, organizing (or staffing), coordinating, commanding (or leading), and controlling (Gulshan, 2014). Educational management is a concept that needs to be considered in more detail. According to Powar (2003), there is a need for detailed planning, timely and appropriate decision-making mechanisms and successful coordination of actions for the successful management of educational institutions.
Management is a rational group activity process that ultimately depends on cooperation. In this process, it is ensured that the resources, which are not directly related, are integrated within a system in order to reach the goal. The integration of these resources with separate functions takes place in open and distance learning (ODL) institutions in a similar way to other institutions and enterprises. According to Powar (2003), the management of ODL institutions is difficult. Because these institutions cover various subsystems with different functions and responsibilities. Each subsystem must operate in order. These subsystems should be in harmony with other subsystems besides their internal order. Besides, they must process the entries of external subsystems.
Management in ODL institutions consists of some sub-systems. This chapter focuses on the financing, marketing, management information systems, benchmarking, quality and accreditation components of ODL.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Information Management: A management that aims to record and obtain all the data that is kept in any database or in the memory of any individual and to enable instant access to accurate knowledge by transforming data into something useful for the organization.
Education Administrators: People who effectively use information and human resources related to knowledge management by objectives of the school.
Knowledge Management: A method generated to create, capture, organize and use information.
Information Ecology: An area that deals with how ideas are exchanged, how innovations expand, how values are added to information, and how new knowledge is tested and implemented within the rich perspectives of the ecosystem through accumulated expertise and learning.
Knowledge Technologies: The name given to technologies that provide through means the collection, process and storage of knowledge, transmission of it to any place, access to this information from anywhere, via electronics etc.
Knowledge: The information that increased in value.
Knowledge Society: The name given to societies that research, develop, produce and use knowledge technologies.
Knowledge Management in Schools: All of the strategic management activities that support teachers' use of the school's knowledge resources to obtain knowledge or to carry out their duties effectively.