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 student’s 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 (1940’s to present)
 Remote classroom facilities (1960’s to
present)
 Closed-circuit television networks (1960’s to
present)
 Video tape delivery (1980’s to present)
 Satellite television (1980’s to present)
 Video conferencing (1990’s)
 Internet delivery (1990’s)
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
 Master’s 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
 Britain’s 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 Microsoft’s 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
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
 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