Distance Learning Plan Development: Initiating Organizational Structures.

This thesis assessed the Army Distance Learning Plan ADLP and the current programs associated with implementing the current Army guidance for distance learning. The thesis set out to determine what requirements went into developing OSs and in doing so surveyed civilian educators and U.S. Army distance learning plan managers to examine the DLPs they were directing. The analysis showed that neither army nor civilian distance learning plan managers used formalized requirements for organizational structure development OSD. Instead, they developed DLPs and then established OSs that met the needs of the plan. The recommendations to CGSC were to establish the climate to aid DLP success and to determine the OS by identifying the needs of the target populations of student and the design of the DLP. Designing the DLP should only occur after OSD and should he flexible enough to facilitate changes in the size, composition, and needs of the target audience. The OS must power-down DL approaches and train the instructors on DL media options. Last, the college must invest for the longevity of the DLP by hiring key personnel to staff OS and manage the DLP.