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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
Arlington, TX 76019-0015
email: carroll@cse.uta.edu

Abstract
The need for access to educational material, courses, and programs anytime and
anywhere has led to the concept of distance learning or distance education. While the
delivery of education at distance is not new, recent advances in computer and
communications technologies have opened up new opportunities and created new
expectations for both recipients and providers. In particular, the internet and the WorldWide-Web promise to revolutionize the educational delivery system and to change the
concept of distance learning.
The paper begins with a definition and brief historical perspective of distance
learning as a means to set the stage for discussing what the future may hold. Various
models of distance delivery are described and discussed in terms of their advantages
and disadvantages. The economic and social aspects of distance learning are explored
in the context of potential benefits and risks. Also, the paper addresses opportunities
and pitfalls that distance learning offers for learners and for providers. Finally, the
paper offers a glimpse at the potential impact that the internet will have on the global
educational delivery system.

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

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

Definitions -- 1
Distance learning -- student and teacher separated

in place and/or time


Asynchronous learning -- educational material may
be accessed at the students convenience
Distance education -- the delivery of a complete
course or program at distance
Multimedia courseware -- course material containing
a variety of media types, e.g., text, audio, graphics,
video, animation

Definitions -- 2
Distance learner -- the student receiving educational

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

Definitions -- 3
Content provider -- the institution that owns

the course
Course broker -- the institution that offers
the course
Educational infrastructure provider -- the
institution that provides the services to
develop and/or delivery courses at distance

Historical perspective
Correspondence courses (1940s to present)
Remote classroom facilities (1960s to present)
Closed-circuit television networks (1960s to

present)
Video tape delivery (1980s to present)
Satellite television (1980s to present)
Video conferencing (1990s)
Internet delivery (1990s)

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

Types of programs delivered


Continuing education
Specialized training courses
Graduate courses and programs
Undergraduate courses

Delivery Models
Synchronous
Asynchronous

Opportunities
Increase access to education around

the world
Improve the quality of learning
Expand the educational marketplace
Partnerships

Internet and the World-Wide-Web


One-third of all college courses make use of E-mail
One-quarter draw on resources of the internet
One-eighth make use of multimedia applications

Barriers -- 1
Costs
Development
Delivery

Higher education funding models


Faculty and staff training
Existing policies and regulations
Security
Intellectual property issues
Access to resources
Library
Computers

Barriers -- 2
Quality control
Market forces
Accreditation

Student assessment
Delivery of examinations
Assignments
Projects

Pedagogy
Need for open, non proprietary standards

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

Engineering programs
Laboratories
Projects
Homework
Mentoring

National Technological University


Private, not for profit
Satellite and video tape delivery
Masters degree programs in a variety of

engineering disciplines
Non-credit short courses
Special programs
Faculty drawn from participating universities

Western Governors University


Mission -- to promote competency-based degrees through high

quality distance education


Eighteen states in the western US
Faculty
No teaching faculty
Mentor/advisor faculty
Private, not for profit
Degree granting
Program and course broker
Developing engineering offerings from Utah State University
Recently entered into an agreement with the Open University of

the UK

Open University
Britains largest teaching institution
Correspondence based
Extensive tutoring and support network
Courses in engineering and computing
Undergraduate
Graduate

University of Phoenix
Private, for profit
Programs offered at campuses and learning centers in

twelve states and Puerto Rico, online, and via the


Center for Distance Education
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)


School of Engineering/Stanford Center for Professional

Development
Online courses delivered using streaming video
technology from Microsofts NetShow
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 oncampus and distance students
Now also delivers courses from the School of Earth
Sciences and School of Medicine

The University of Texas at Arlington


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

UTA Engineering Center


for Distance Learning
Internet-based courses
Streaming video of lectures using Real NetWare technology
Supporting materials provided via instructor web pages

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
Problems to overcome
Technical
Pedagogical
Administrative
Political
Social
Demand
Benefits

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