The author is convinced that the school psychology profession needs to develop innovative programs to address the shortages of school psychologists across the nation, specifically, online programs that can reach the rural and underserved districts of each state. Current educators seeking to expand their skill set can be the untapped answer to…

This paper provides information about noncredit instruction in the California Community Colleges and updates the 2009 paper "Noncredit Instruction: Opportunity and Challenge" to incorporate subsequent changes from the last decade. Since the passage of SB 361 (Scott, 2006), noncredit instruction has seen significant changes, including the…

Innovation in doctoral degree program development and delivery provides an effective counterpoint to the expert-apprentice model established in the Middle Ages. The author outlines the importance of innovation in reaching adult learners and describes an innovative hybrid PhD program designed to allow aspiring doctoral adult-age students to pursue…

Developing online teaching skills can occur through involvement in learn-by-doing strategies, which incorporates informal, organic or need-driven strategies. Such processes are sometimes labeled as "bottom-up" staff development processes. In other contexts, teaching staff are formally directed to develop online teaching skills through a…

When asked what they would find most helpful to enable them to use technologies more in their teaching, most teachers say "give me examples, in my subject area" and "point me to relevant people I can discuss these issues with". Web 2.0 technologies--with their emphasis on sharing, networking and user production--seem to offer a…

This article details one university's efforts to develop graduate courses and programs to better serve the needs of the increasing non-traditional student population in underserved rural areas. A detailed overview is presented, along with the strategic planning outcomes achieved. We hope this article will initiate dialogue among higher education…

Presents a framework for evaluating distance education options with questions addressing seven concerns: community/learner needs, technology resources, learner support/follow-up, course development, technology choices, staff needs, and financial resources. The framework can help assess issues of cost effectiveness, educational purpose, and equity.…

Eight teams of elementary and middle school teachers developed pilot online courses for the North Carolina Virtual Public School (NCVPS) in the USA. A qualitative case study with focus groups and a follow-up survey helped to identify common needs of these non-traditional course designers during course development efforts. Findings suggest virtual…

A key component of conventional distance education organizations has been the network of local study centres, set up to serve as a bridge between students and the educational organization. With the capacity of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable direct contact between the educational institution and its dispersed students,…

The impetus and situation for development of a Polish open university similar to Britain's are outlined and discussed, focusing on Poland's educational system since World War II, the limits to expansion of conventional universities, new educational interests, alternative program models, and administrative organization. (MSE)

Examines the factors related to a holistic model for quality in distance education programs: learning involvement issues, course program administration, delivery considerations, instructional quality, and culture of teaching and learning. By surveying community college distance education program administrators, factors related to course and…

This book provides a framework for leadership in the combined fields of higher education, management, and marketing. It is divided into three sections. Section 1, "Challenges and Changes in Continuing Education," has two chapters identifying some of the current challenges. Section 2, "Leadership for the 21st Century in Continuing Education," has…

Explores the option of using distance education courses as a viable alternative to building classrooms and facilities. Distance education could be one solution to the financial and physical facilities problems universities may have in dealing with the predicted economic and enrollment conditions. (AEF)

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida formed a task force in mid-1995 to develop a comprehensive plan for using distance education in the next century. A questionnaire was sent to department chairs and research center directors at the university (59 responses) requesting information on how they would…

A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a distance education network in the Eastern Caribbean. Two types of consultations were completed: a brief site survey of four Eastern Caribbean states (Grenada, Dominica, Antigua, and Saint Lucia) and a workshop in Saint Lucia to which education officials from government agencies and higher…