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Rich Media: Rich Media:

The Savior of Distance EducationThe Savior of Distance Education

January 11, 2006January 11, 2006

Educause Mid-Atlantic Regional Educause Mid-Atlantic Regional ConferenceConference

Presented By:

Seán O’Donnell

Seán O’DonnellSeán O’Donnell

Director of Distance Education – Director of Distance Education – Villanova University College of Villanova University College of EngineeringEngineering

Started DE at Nova in 1997Started DE at Nova in 1997 B.S. in Computer EngineeringB.S. in Computer Engineering Background in Systems Design and Background in Systems Design and

Application (Lockheed Martin)Application (Lockheed Martin)

The ClaimsThe Claims Thwarted Innovation: What Happened to e-Learning Thwarted Innovation: What Happened to e-Learning

and Whyand Why - - Zemsky, R.; Massy, W.F. / Learning Alliance for Higher Zemsky, R.; Massy, W.F. / Learning Alliance for Higher Education, USA , 2004Education, USA , 2004

““E-learning took off before people really E-learning took off before people really knew how to use it: E-learning will become knew how to use it: E-learning will become pervasive only when faculty change how pervasive only when faculty change how they teach, not before.”they teach, not before.”

Sloan Consortium: Sloan Consortium: “…until technology becomes “…until technology becomes used without being noticed and, more importantly, used without being noticed and, more importantly, without interfering with the mission of online without interfering with the mission of online education – i.e. delivering knowledge to anyone education – i.e. delivering knowledge to anyone anywhere – articles such as Thwarted Innovation anywhere – articles such as Thwarted Innovation may continue to be produced, claiming that e-may continue to be produced, claiming that e-Learning has failed.” Learning has failed.”

Distance Education vs. Distance Education vs. LearningLearning

Distance Education is for college creditDistance Education is for college credit Masters classesMasters classes Limited Undergraduate summer coursesLimited Undergraduate summer courses

Distance Learning is for training Distance Learning is for training purposespurposes FEE + PE Review courseFEE + PE Review course Specialty certificatesSpecialty certificates Customized training materialCustomized training material

History of Nova DEHistory of Nova DE

1997 – Starts as grant driven 1997 – Starts as grant driven initiative headed by ECE initiative headed by ECE departmentdepartment One way One way Low qualityLow quality More research than practicalMore research than practical

2000 - First full time staff hired2000 - First full time staff hired College coordinator of DECollege coordinator of DE

History of Nova DE History of Nova DE (cont.)(cont.)

2000 – First certificate offered online 2000 – First certificate offered online (ECE)(ECE) Wireless and Digital communicationWireless and Digital communication

2001 – First CEE course offered2001 – First CEE course offered 2002 – VTC developed 2002 – VTC developed

ME offers first VTC classME offers first VTC class 2003 – First fully Online Master’s 2003 – First fully Online Master’s

degree offereddegree offered 2004 – Introduction of Rich Media2004 – Introduction of Rich Media

What is Rich MediaWhat is Rich Media

Definition: Rich media refers to Definition: Rich media refers to media on the web that offers an media on the web that offers an enhanced, interactive experience. enhanced, interactive experience. Its all around, you just don’t know itIts all around, you just don’t know it

MSNBCMSNBC CNNCNN Fox NewsFox News Education (now)Education (now)

Online System DesignOnline System Design

Class Instructor

SynchronousIn-Class Learners

SynchronousOnline Learners

SynchronousVTC Learners

AsynchronousOnline Learners

Does online mimic in-class Does online mimic in-class OR OR

Does in-class mimic online?Does in-class mimic online?

Why is Nova DE not Why is Nova DE not thwarted innovation?thwarted innovation?

Student Centered education – not faculty Student Centered education – not faculty centered!centered!

Rich Media Presentations – Live and Rich Media Presentations – Live and archivedarchived

VTC capabilitiesVTC capabilities Cost – Same as regular Graduate Cost – Same as regular Graduate

EducationEducation Low class numbers (20)Low class numbers (20) Uniqueness of existing grad programsUniqueness of existing grad programs

OutcomesOutcomes

Quantitative ResultsQuantitative Results

GPA Study Jan 2004 – January 2006 (2 GPA Study Jan 2004 – January 2006 (2 years)years) In-Class GPA : 3.43 (B+)In-Class GPA : 3.43 (B+) DE GPA : 3.39 (B+) DE GPA : 3.39 (B+)

PopulationPopulation In-Class Enrollment: 474In-Class Enrollment: 474 Distance Enrollment: 262 (35.5%)Distance Enrollment: 262 (35.5%)

Usage of TechnologyUsage of Technology In-class : 82%In-class : 82% Distance: 100% Distance: 100%

Quantitative (cont.)Quantitative (cont.)

In class survey results (305 students)In class survey results (305 students) What is your overall feeling of technology What is your overall feeling of technology

used? used?

(1= Dislike 5= Like Very Much)(1= Dislike 5= Like Very Much)

Answer: 4.25Answer: 4.25 How likely are you to take another class How likely are you to take another class

with rich media archiving?with rich media archiving?

(1= Not Likely to 5 = Definitely)(1= Not Likely to 5 = Definitely)

Answer: 4.37Answer: 4.37

QualitativeQualitative

““I really enjoyed being able to take the class I I really enjoyed being able to take the class I took this term through DE.  Overall, it was a took this term through DE.  Overall, it was a great experience.  I hope to be able to do it great experience.  I hope to be able to do it again!”again!” – – Christopher FelkerChristopher Felker

““By the way, the reliability, depth, and By the way, the reliability, depth, and availability of the content on WebCT is very availability of the content on WebCT is very impressive” - impressive” - James Meriwether James Meriwether

““I can't tell you how happy I am that the DE program is I can't tell you how happy I am that the DE program is as comprehensive as it is- There is no other way I as comprehensive as it is- There is no other way I could get my MS from a good school right now.”could get my MS from a good school right now.” --Kristie GersleyKristie Gersley

AwardsAwards

2005 Excellence in Distance Education Award

2005 Best Presentation Room: Classroom

2nd Place

ConclusionsConclusions Distance education, distance learning, e-Distance education, distance learning, e-

learning are not thwarted innovations – if learning are not thwarted innovations – if done correctlydone correctly BenchmarkBenchmark

See who has done it correctly, don’t reinvent the See who has done it correctly, don’t reinvent the wheelwheel

Spend the dollars – the students want itSpend the dollars – the students want it Rich Media – Rich Media – TheThe delivery method that works delivery method that works

Look feel and interact as if you were thereLook feel and interact as if you were there AV is not enoughAV is not enough

Make students your primary focus – faculty Make students your primary focus – faculty secondarysecondary

Thanks for comingThanks for coming

Any Questions?Any Questions?