Distance Education: How does it work? How is it working?

1
Distance Education How does it work? How is it
working?

• Joan WeinsteinHarvard University Extension
  Schoolweinst2_at_fas.harvard.eduJoint Statistical
  MeetingsToronto 2004

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General Information

• Harvard University Extension School
• Average student age is 33 median is 30
• Undergraduate and graduate students
• Part-time study
• Open enrollment
• Classes meet one night a week for two hours

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My Course Information

• Class size 90 to 100
• Written homework assigned each week
• Minitab assignments as appropriate
• Midterm examination
• Final examination
• Graduate project

4
Support Staff

• Course Assistant
• Communication with Distance Ed students
• Teaching Assistants
• Sections, grading, contact with students
• Graders
• Grading, contact with students
• Web Master
• Maintenance of course website

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How is the course delivered?

• Class is held in a regular classroom
• Each class is videotaped
• Material is projected using a pdf file
• Video is available to students in 48 hours via
  the course website
• Selected sections are videotaped

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Assessment

• Distance Ed students fax in their assignments
• Course assistant acknowledges receipt of fax
• Students use a specific cover sheet
• Assignments are mailed back if requested

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Exams and Projects

• Students who live in New England must take exams
  in class
• Other Distance Ed students find local proctors
• Exam is available to proctor online
• Exam is mailed back to Extension
• Projects are sent directly to me

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Communication

• Students can phone or email me or any of the
  support staff
• Questions about receipt of assignments are
  handled by the course assistant

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How has it changed my life?

• Class presentations must be very carefully
  prepared
• Class enrollment is up attendance is down
• No personal contact with Distance Ed students

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How are students affected?

• Good students take advantage of the videos
• Students feel they can miss class more easily
• They get behind more easily
• Student evaluations have changed a bit
• Students lose the personal touch when they choose
  to watch the videos rather than attend class

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Distance Education Students

• Time disadvantage
• Delay in access to video
• Delay in getting graded work returned
• No live communication

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Conclusions

• The course is now available to students who
  ordinarily couldnt take it
• Expensive in terms of time and money
• Harvard made the decision to do it right
• New facility for Distance Education
• Great support for faculty
• Commitment to students

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For More Information

• My email address
• weinst2_at_fas.harvard.edu
• For information about Distance Education at
  Harvard Extension School
• www.extension.harvard.edu/DistanceEd
• Course website
• courses.dce.harvard.edu/state50