The economics of the University of the Air of Japan revisited
In 1988 UAJ completed the first phase of its initial plan, thus enabling an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of UAJ and a forecast of its future based on available data. The cost per student at UAJ is 2/5, 1/2, and 3/4 of that at national, public, and day programs of private universities, and 1.1 times and 6.7 times of that at evening and correspondence programs of private universities repectively. The projected cost per graduate is slightly lower than that at national universities and 1.1, 1.9 and 2.3 times of that at public, correspondence and day, and evening programs of private universities respectively. The cost per credit is 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 2.4 and 4.6 times of national and public universities, day, evening, and correspondence programs of private universities respectively.The simulations indicate that the cost per credit can be decreased by expanding the operation of UAJ to a nationwide scale, employing a surface circuit or satellite system; however, it is necessary that the number of students be doubled in order to make the cost per credit equivalent to that at public universities. However, even when the number of students is four times, the cost per credit is not equivalent to that at day programs of private universities regardless of what method is used. Although the current cost per credit is higher than that of conventional universities, changes in cummunication technology and student characteristics could alter the cost-effectiveness of UAJ.
Comprehensive cost analysis of the University of the Air of Japan
The University of the Air of Japan (UAJ) was established to provide all people access to university level education. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate from several different perspectives the cost-effectiveness of UAJ and its nationwide expansion.Even when considering only direct cost, the per student cost of UAJ is lower than that of any conventional campus-based university program. When indirect cost such as opportunity cost and study expenses are also considered, the economic advantage of UAJ is especially apparent. Much of UAJ's economic advantage is the result of the very low opportunity cost to UAJ students.The economic advantage of UAJ as indicated by cost per graduate and cost per credit is smaller than that indicated by cost per student. When both direct and indirect cost are considered, the cost per credit of UAJ is 0.51 and 0.53 of that at national and public universities; 0.65, 0.86 and 2.8 of that of day programs, evening programs and correspondence programs respectively at private universities.Simulations of a nationwide expansion demonstrate that UAJ will be more economical if a satellite broadcasting system is used. Although it will require high initial and fixed costs, the cost per credit will decrease with an increase in the number of students. The most economical method of expansion may be to send video tapes to study centers and students until the number of students reaches economical levels, and to increase cooperation with conventional universities in the cooperative use of classrooms for study centers and credit transfer.
Historias de mi barrio: contemporary art in a community at high risk of social exclusion
Abstract Historias de mi barrio is a piece of pedagogic research aimed at highlighting the way art can articulate the relationship between the educational context and a neighbourhood at high risk of social exclusion. The starting point for this study was to ask whether this type of research, centred around the arts, was suitable in complex contexts and whether it might eventually lead to pedagogic improvement. The results gathered, and indeed the work carried out by the artists and university lecturers involved, together with pupils 6–12 years old and their instructors in a state school, provide evidence of a positive answer – and notably of the necessity of knowing about the socio-economic reality of the student cohort when planning learning projects and of the importance of the arts as a crucial element in education.