Distance Learning The Application of Computers and Communication

Distance Learning: The Application of Computers and Communication to Education Bill D. Carroll, Ph. D. , P. E. Professor and Chairperson Computer Science and Engineering Department The University of Texas at Arlington, TX 76019 -0015 email: carroll@cse. uta. edu

Abstract

Outline 4 Need 4 Definitions 4 History 4 Delivery models 4 Opportunities 4 Barriers 4 Internet and the World-Wide-Web 4 Economic and social issues 4 Case Studies

The need 4 Any time, any place 4 Convenience 4 Asynchronous access 4 Remote locations

Definitions -- 1 4 Distance learning -- student and teacher separated in place and/or time 4 Asynchronous learning -- educational material may be accessed at the student’s convenience 4 Distance education -- the delivery of a complete course or program at distance 4 Multimedia courseware -- course material containing a variety of media types, e. g. , text, audio, graphics, video, animation

Definitions -- 2 4 Distance learner -- the student receiving educational material at distance 4 Distance teacher -- the person primarily responsible for developing and delivering the educational material 4 Mentor -- a person responsible for assisting the distance learner 4 Competency-based education -- assessment of knowledge learned versus the accumulation of credits

Definitions -- 3 4 Content provider -- the institution that “owns” the course 4 Course broker -- the institution that “offers” the course 4 Educational infrastructure provider -- the institution that provides the services to develop and/or delivery courses at distance

Historical perspective 4 Correspondence courses (1940’s to present) 4 Remote classroom facilities (1960’s to present) 4 Closed-circuit television networks (1960’s to present) 4 Video tape delivery (1980’s to present) 4 Satellite television (1980’s to present) 4 Video conferencing (1990’s) 4 Internet delivery (1990’s)

The providers 4 Traditional universities 4 Not for profit institutions, e. g. – National Technological University (NTU) – Western Governors’ University (WGU) – Open University 4 For profit institutions, e. g. – University of Phoenix

Types of programs delivered 4 Continuing education 4 Specialized training courses 4 Graduate courses and programs 4 Undergraduate courses

Delivery Models 4 Synchronous 4 Asynchronous

Opportunities 4 Increase access to education around the world 4 Improve the quality of learning 4 Expand the educational marketplace 4 Partnerships

Internet and the World-Wide-Web 4 One-third of all college courses make use of E-mail 4 One-quarter draw on resources of the internet 4 One-eighth make use of multimedia applications

Barriers -- 1 4 Costs – Development – Delivery 4 Higher education funding models 4 Faculty and staff training 4 Existing policies and regulations 4 Security 4 Intellectual property issues 4 Access to resources – Library – Computers

Barriers -- 2 4 Quality control – Market forces – Accreditation 4 Student assessment – Delivery of examinations – Assignments – Projects 4 Pedagogy 4 Need for open, non proprietary standards

Social Issues 4 Absence of peer groups 4 Student support services 4 Absence of campus life

Engineering programs 4 Laboratories 4 Projects 4 Homework 4 Mentoring

National Technological University 4 Private, not for profit 4 Satellite and video tape delivery 4 Master’s degree programs in a variety of engineering disciplines 4 Non-credit short courses 4 Special programs 4 Faculty drawn from participating universities

Western Governors’ University 4 Mission -- to promote competency-based degrees through high quality distance education 4 Eighteen states in the western US 4 Faculty – No teaching faculty – Mentor/advisor faculty 4 Private, not for profit 4 Degree granting 4 Program and course broker 4 Developing engineering offerings from Utah State University 4 Recently entered into an agreement with the Open University of the UK

Open University 4 Britain’s largest teaching institution 4 Correspondence based 4 Extensive tutoring and support network 4 Courses in engineering and computing – Undergraduate – Graduate

University of Phoenix 4 Private, for profit 4 Programs offered at campuses and learning centers in twelve states and Puerto Rico, online, and via the Center for Distance Education 4 Current degree programs offered at distance – – – BS in Business in several specialties BS in Nursing MA in Education MA in Organizational Management MBA MS in Nursing

Stanford Online (www. stanford. edu) 4 School of Engineering/Stanford Center for 4 4 4 Professional Development Online courses delivered using streaming video technology from Microsoft’s Net. Show Online courses may be viewed live or within 2 to 3 hours of delivery Online MSEE with emphasis in telecommunications Admission and completion requirements the same for on-campus and distance students Now also delivers courses from the School of Earth Sciences and School of Medicine

The University of Texas at Arlington 4 Center for Distance Education – Delivering network-based classes in political science and geology 4 Engineering Center for Distance Learning – Closed-circuit television – Videotape – Internet streaming video 4 Nursing Television – Videotape to four outreach centers – Can earn a BS in Nursing degree (325 earned)

UTA Engineering Center for Distance Learning 4 Internet-based courses – Streaming video of lectures using Real Net. Ware technology – Supporting materials provided via instructor web pages 4 Fall 1998 course offerings – – – – AE 5303 -- Aerodynamics of Wings and Bodies CSE 5311 -- Design and Analysis of Algorithms CSE 5324 -- Software Engineering I EE 5366 -- Communication Satellite Systems ME 5310 -- Finite Elements ME 5331 -- Analytic Methods in Engineering PHYS 1443 -- General Technical Physics

Conclusions 4 Problems to overcome – Technical – Pedagogical – Administrative – Political – Social 4 Demand 4 Benefits