Simulation model of Distance Learning planning and implementation on the basis of ECTS credits

The purpose of the report is to present the methodology and its implementation results in the research of Distance Learning process trends by using a simulation model for a Higher Educational Institution (HEI). The article discusses planning and implementation of distance learning in the HEI teaching process in connection with human, informational, and financial resources. The relevance of this study is determined not only by the need to have a tool for making decisions on the implementation of specific training programs but also allows to make transparent the core business process of the University and to show the interest of the academic staff in the mechanism and in the implementation of the customer-oriented strategy of the University. The suggested model is based on the calculation of payment for teaching, for the work on the creation of training materials and payment of tutors in distance education and on some most significant parameters of the programs´ implementation process. These parameters can be either the number of students enrolled in the program or the number of ECTS credit points achieved by students in a semester or other. All of them are calculated with the use of the actual curricula for particular programs. The model allows calculating both the projected revenues and the expenses on individual items. This allows us to assess administrative decisions on the optimization of the structure of the program and the implementation of the training plans. The model has been successfully tested on four vital academic programs at Transport and Telecommunication Institute. The model and the proposed method of its application fully comply with the principles of the Bologna process and can be easily transformed for use at any European HEI.