The Project's Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC) Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the cost effectiveness of the operation of the Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC) at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU). The population consisted of 57,963 STOU students enrolled in the first semester of the 2021 academic year, including 53,301 undergraduates, 4,430 master’s, and 232 doctoral students. A simple random sampling method was used to select a sample of 484 undergraduates, 126 master’s students, and 50 doctoral students, and data were collected via an online questionnaire (Google Form). The research instrument was an online questionnaire comprising five parts: 1) personal background; 2) questions on the use of various media services provided by EBPC and satisfaction with these services; 3) questions on the channels used to access media such as educational television programs and the frequency of their use; 4) questions on the expected benefits from using various instructional media; and 5) additional recommendations.

The results indicate that the cost effectiveness analysis of EBPC’s operation covering video media, e-learning media, audio CDs for individual courses, distance tutoring media, radio and television media, and academic service media demonstrated high levels of effectiveness and efficiency for both undergraduate and graduate students. The university’s provision of instructional media through diverse access channels effectively met students’ needs. Students reported high expectations regarding the knowledge gained from the media, the quality of content presentation, image and sound quality, the media’s role in facilitating course completion, and the practical application of the acquired knowledge. Furthermore, the production budgets for various media types were found to be cost effective, requiring lower capital investment while achieving higher satisfaction. Specifically, undergraduate students primarily used video media and e-learning media, master’s students used video media for supplementary and intensive seminars alongside e-learning media, and doctoral students used other types of media together with e-learning media.