Long distance teaching: The impact of offshore programs and information technology on academic work

Australia’s higher education system has become financially dependent on fee-paying international students and is constantly seeking ways to enhance its competitiveness in overseas markets. Offshore teaching programs have become an attractive strategy for institutions hoping to improve their profile and gain additional market share. Long distance teaching is also being undertaken via use of information technology. Academic staff are increasingly required to spend time teaching in offshore programs, and will be involved in greater use of information technology to deliver their services. These developments raise issues relating to quality control, curriculum development, increased workloads and job satisfaction. This paper overviews recent developments in these areas and discusses their implications for the future of academic work.