Online Education
Distance education is conceived as a formal education process in which most of the instruction occurs when the student and the instructor are not geographically in the same place or at the same time. It is a planned experience in which a variety of synchronous and asynchronous technologies are used, such as: online courses through the Internet, interactive videoconferencing and other modalities to promote learning for the student who is in a place other than the teacher. These experiences are designed to stimulate interaction and verification of learning.
Technologies and Media Used in Online Education
Inter American University has incorporated the following technologies and media into its teaching and learning process.
Interactive Videoconference
These are courses offered by the synchronic modality that consists in interactive transmission of video, voice and data. The course originates in one place with participating students in remote localities. The faculty-student and student-student interaction occurs in a simultaneous or synchronic manner. The instructor may make use of electronic presentations and other computerized materials, as well as segments of video and other educational materials. This implies previous and extensive planning and development of such materials. In addition, the prior sending of materials for each session by means of fax, Web, or Internet is required. Also, the presence of a facilitator or official in charge of the discipline (for example, a teaching assistant or graduate student in an internship) and compatible videoconference equipment are required at the remote sites.
Courses On-Line
Courses are offered through the World Wide Web. Students have computers with access to Internet where they will receive materials and send their assignments and other work. The communication and interactivity between faculty-student and student-student is attained primarily through Internet, telephone and fax. This modality requires the development of all materials and their inclusion in a Web server prior to the initiation of the course offering. If students desire to access the courses from outside the University, the Institution guarantees them remote access to information resources but students are responsible for having their own computers.
In summary, the combination of media and technology and their complementary use in the traditional classroom promise to enrich learning experiences at the University.