This design case discusses key steps taken to establish a virtual makerspace for students enrolled in an online graduate course on informal learning. Two key design decisions are elaborated around (a) the selection of appropriate projects and packaged materials that distance education students can receive by mail to participate in making, and (b)…

For more than 20 years, distance education has provided an option for prospective special education teachers to achieve licensure and a graduate degree. The program began as a two-way interactive television endeavor located at area community college sites. Over time, the program evolved to include online coursework with synchronous class meetings.…

The University of the West Indies Open Campus and Athabasca University conducted a pilot workshop to see if open educational resources (OER) could be used to construct curricula. UWIOC was interested in increasing distance education offerings and Athabasca University was interested in expanding programming to offer an online graduate program in…

This paper chronicles experience in designing graduate-level statistics instruction for delivery via the internet. The paper begins with a summary of course content and specific procedures for instructional interaction via the internet. Special challenges posed by both the course content and the Internet mode of instruction are identified, and…

Defines a distance learning method for graduate programs in technical communication in which the World Wide Web serves as an electronic learning environment. Discusses the approach that Mercer University employs for its M.S. in technical communication management, and characteristics of a good distance learning program that is of value to adult…

Online delivery of university-level courses has grown exponentially in the last decade and is increasingly being recognised as a viable and effective alternative to face-to-face classroom teaching. Many scholars have already written about the benefits and best practices of online teaching in general. However, not many studies have paid specific…

The design and implementation of a women's studies course is discussed, focusing on four issues: graduate study, distance education design and delivery, and the differences between feminist pedagogy and andragogy. The learning processes pursued in the course and future directions for women's studies in distance education are examined. (MSE)

The authors studied a course in which an instructor allowed individuals at a distance to participate. Although these students were not formally enrolled in the university where the class took place, the instructor gave them full access to all course materials and encouraged them to complete course assignments. The authors examined the time and…

An online professional development course, Telecommunications and Information Access, offers educators the opportunity to earn graduate credit, learn about an emerging technological field, and interact using a telecommunication network. This independent study course offered by the University of Oregon and the International Society for Technology…

Describes a Web-based graduate course about attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) offered by the Department of Special Education at the University of Florida. Notes the online course syllabus and class roster, the online discussion forum, the review section with online quiz and test questions, online readings, presentations, and case…

Describes a graduate course in distance learning incorporating multiple technologies within a constructivist paradigm. Discusses advance planning; the course overview, materials and resources; logistics; technological issues; pedagogical issues; and difficulties and limitations. Lists suggestions for teachers using multiple technologies in…

This case study is an exploratory investigation of the learning opportunities provided by a Web-based Master of Science program in TESOL. Begins with a description of the course and its components and aims to evaluate the potential of the Web for delivering graduate level programs. Also compares this delivery with both classroom-based and…

Outlines design issues for developing an asynchronous distance course, including appropriate technology, format, academic rigor, communication and feedback, group identity, and evaluation. The components of a graduate course in psychology at the State University of New York at Cortland, currently being offered using this model are described, and…

This presentation describes an English graduate seminar in Local Color and Regionalism in American Literature at Western Kentucky University that was set up as an experimental hybrid course, i.e., roughly 60% face-to-face and 40% Web course (Web quest format). The focus is on the four tasks that comprised the Web quest segment of the course: (1) a…

Distance education is a growing phenomenon in education. Primary grades through post-secondary education institutions to businesses incorporating continuing education have utilized technology and distance education to facilitate learning. An obvious benefit from all distance education is that access to specific material and instruction is gained.…