Florida State University's mission in online and distance learning may be characterized as follows:
To develop and offer online upper-division majors as bachelors completion programs
To develop and offer online master's degree programs
To enable faculty to work effectively in an electronic teaching and learning environment
To enable residential and non-residential students to work in an electronic teaching and learning environment
There are both graduate and undergraduate programs, as well as web-based supplements to traditional courses. The Office of Distributed Distance Learning (ODLL) maintains a structure for supporting professors who want teach traditional courses but wish to web enable/supplement them. This reminds me of the arrangement at The Open University. It appears to be a collection of ?educational technologists? who partner with professors to build courses. Whether by preparing course websites within the Blackboard/CourseInfo online learning environment, preparing professional non-motion digital media, audio/video digital media and streaming technologies, print products (e.g., course study guides), or interactive CD-ROMS, ODDL's helps faculty develop courses throughout all phases of course preparation and actual delivery. Its services range from faculty consultation, student and faculty web-based tutorials, to comprehensive faculty training workshops over summer terms. The faculty training includes workshops on course development, maintenance, use of the Blackboard/CourseInfo online learning environment
The Blackboard product is very similar to WebTycho. It allows for discussion thread, email, and chat. The medium allows for interaction via Real Audio/Video so you could theoretically have real time interaction.
Southern Cross aims to make a significant contribution to higher education in their own region, in the broader Australian community and increasingly in the neighboring countries of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific.
In concert with the main campuses, Southern Cross University has developed an extensive network of satellite study support centers throughout northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland as well as a center in Sydney. These centers provide external students and the local community with access to the University?s electronic communication facilities and databases.
The three main modes of study include:
Online Learning Online learning provides opportunities for interaction with course facilitators and fellow students, as well as instant access to materials from databases and web sites from around the world.
Southern Cross University is trialing the use of Lotus Learning Space. This is a "course management shell" which makes it easy for staff and students to interact with each other and learn collaboratively.
Southern Cross uses the term 'online' to refer to units which are delivering primary course materials via the internet and which are exploiting the interactivity capacity of the technology. Those which have been designed (or redesigned) from first principles are the only ones that can claim the 'designed for online' label.
Off-campus Study You are sent the materials for your course at the beginning of semester and can study at home at times convenient for a student?s lifestyle. Course materials are developed with consideration of relative isolation from lecturers and resources and from interaction with other students. They range from booklets, audiocassettes, lecture notes and more.
As an off-campus student, most contact with University staff will be written or audio-visual rather than face-to-face and, though not compulsory in most cases, some courses do feature workshops in regional centers or capital cities.
These workshops give students a chance to discuss the course with teaching staff and fellow students, and to access on-campus facilities.
This college seems to act as a bridge between individuals wishing to study nursing and nursing universities. Face-to-face teaching is replaced by other means of communication. These include specially commissioned learning materials, books, journal articles, audiotapes, and other resource material.
RCN says, ?The use of learning resources in the place of direct contact with teachers means that you can pursue your studies when and where best suits your individual circumstances.
Students are assigned a tutor who provides individual guidance and learning support by phone, mail, fax and e-mail. The tutors grade any assignments. Tutors facilitate three half-day tutorials at regional study centers. International tutors support students studying away from the centers, usually by e-mail. Students are encouraged to develop an internal study network with others studying the same module or live or work near them. Upon successfully completing course work and a dissertation, a degree is awarded from the University of Manchester.
I wasn?t able to gather a sense of what sort of administrative system they use to support their courses. They do maintain a web extensive research web-site that puts potential students in touch with other institutions that offer online learning in subjects related to nursing (so nurses can one class in a particular topic).
Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota was founded in 1993 and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Capella is the brightest star of the constellation Auriga and is about ten times the diameter of the sun. It is also a double star. This symbolizes the unique nature of the university and philosophy of learning as a dynamic and collegial partnership between the institution and learner. Its motto is "petere sapientiam"- to seek knowledge. It has the mission to deliver high quality programs that provide traditional and contemporary knowledge through flexible and innovative forms of distance learning. It recognizes adult learners as active partners in the design and implementation of their academic experience. It offers continuning education for corporations or individuals, training courses, certificates, undergraduate and graduate degrees. The continuing education courses are non-credit and are available on demand. They have degree programs in business, education, human services, psychology, and technology. The delivery of content in all on-line. Professors are accessible and willing to interact throughout the course on-line or by e-mail. Special services for the learner include curriculum guides, degree completion plans, a community college alliance program, seminars, and special services for the Armed Forces.
The University of London was establised in 1858. It has 28,000 registered students from 180 countries. It has over 100 undergraduate and post graduate qualifications. Students are subject to rigorous quality assurance, and the programs are identical in standard as the University's 17 colleges. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, dental, education, economics, environment, industry, law, and psychology. The interaction with students is held during conferencing and by e-mail. Students use textbooks, detailed study plans, writing, and examinations at local center to study. The university offers students a resourse center, exhibitions, seminars, and revision weekends.
The Charter Towers School of Distance Education (Australia)
The Charter Towers School of Distance Education in Bisbane, Australia provides quality education to children who for many reasons need access to an individualized program. This school accepts students that are travelling, living overseas, medically disabled, or for home school. It was founded in 1985. They use mail, telephone, radio, video, television, and the internet for presentation and learning. There are three school levels. Preschool emphasises an informal play program based on the child's interests, abilities, and lifestyles. The primary grades are ages 5-7, and they use books, radio, audio and video tapes for learning. The secondary level is for ages 8-10 and they learn English, Math, Science, Languages, Art, Physical Education, Health, and have Vocational classes. They use computers primarily for class. Face to face opportunities are available by visits to the school, outreach activity days, mini schools, home visits, workshops, camps, and excursions. A school diary is available with all the events. The school also offers radio and computer loans.
The Open University of Hong Kong (http://www.ouhk.edu.hk)
The Open University of Hong Kong was founded in 1989 with the mission of Education for All by "providing high quality and flexible further education opportunities for adults." OUHK provides open access with no qualifications for entry to anyone over the age of 17.
There are four schools within OUHK. The School of Arts and Social Sciences, The School of Education and Languages, The School of Science and Technology and the School of Business and Administration. Over 100 post-graduate, degree and sub-degree programs offered.
OUHK's 25,000 plus students are primarily between the ages of 22 and 35. On average, they take 9 credits per semester. Approximately 14,000 students have graduated from OUHK since its establishment.
Students are afforded much flexibility as they work through structured materials. Distance Learning students receive a study pack which includes audio-visual materials.
Tutors hold tutorial sessions, grade assignments and answer student questions. Students are able to get assistance via email, phone/fax, voice-over IP, Web chat and Web call back.
The Campus facilities include a library, AV center, language and science labs, a lecture theatre, tutorial rooms and disabled students' center. In 1998, OUHK launched an award winning Electronic Library, which house over 500,000 publications.
Founded in 1976, The University of Phoenix became the first accredited, for profit, university in the US targeting working adults. UOP strives to bring high quality education to working adults. UOP currently enrolls over 95,000 students and offers flexibility in where to take classes throughout at its 31 campuses, 71 learning centers, and Virtual University.
UOP Online (http://www.online.phoenix.edu)
In 1986 UOP began offering its programs online through University of Phoenix Online. Degree programs are offered in Business Management, Technology, Education and Nursing with each course lasting 5-6 weeks. UOP online currently enrolls over 25,000 students.
UOP requires that students are at least 23 years old and employed. If they are not employed, the must have access to an organization where they can apply what they have learned. All UOP faculty have earned masters or doctorate degrees and work in their respective fields bringing real world examples and applications to students.
100% of the programs coursework can be completed online, as well as registration, payment of tuition, and ordering of course materials. Students work through lectures, assignments and questions from the instructor in a completely asynchronous environment. Instructors are encouraged to "challenge students ability to assimilate new ideas, evaluate complex data, think creatively and communicate effectively."
Students receive multiple levels of support from the organization. Each student is assigned an Enrollment Advisor, a Financial Advisor, and an Academic Counselor. Students also have access to an Online Library, Technical Support, a Student Services web site, a Student Union and after graduation, an Alumni Network.
The Open University (UK) http://www.open.ac.uk
The Open University was established in 1969 and enrolls more than 200,000 students. OU's mission statement reflects four guiding principles: Open as to people, Open as to places, Open as to methods and Open as to ideas. Approximately 360 undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in arts, modern langauges, social sciences, health and social welfare, science, math, computing, technology, business, education and law.
Undergraduate courses are open to anyone and there are no qualifications for entry into the undergraduate programs. Students must be 18 to enroll, but the majority of students fall between 25-45. Most undergraduates study part time. OU also enrolls over 7000 students with disabilities.
Courses are designed to allow students flexibility in when and where they study. When OU began, content delivery was primarily radio and TV, but computer technology and the Internet are now being used to deliver content and for communication between students and tutors. Courses are developed so students can work wherever it is most convenient for them. Students receive Course Packs including textbooks, audio and video tapes, computer software and home experiment kits. Students can now submit assignments electronically and frequently email tutors.
Support for students is available through tutors, 330 regional study centers and annual residential schools. How students choose to use the support resources is up to them.