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Session 2522

Integrating Distance Learning with Traditional Delivery in a Graduate Certificate Program for IT Professionals

Vijay Kanabar, Tanya Zlateva, Eric Braude, Rumen Stainov Computer Science Department, Metropolitan College, Boston University

Abstract In this paper we compare our experience with two distance education models for teaching professional graduate students. The first is a synchronous video conferencing delivery model and the second is a blended Web-based and traditional learning model. The former was used for beaming out graduate courses to the Foxboro Company, and the latter was within the context of a graduate database & client/server certificate program where we successfully delivered four graduate courses to employees of Keane, Inc. Both are technology companies with offices in the US and UK. Research results and student evaluations demonstrate that the blended model was more successful than the pure model as it combined the advantages of traditional learning with distance education very well. The blended approach provided students what they wanted--a unique continuing education experience—flexible asynchronous education and some face-to-face classroom instruction. The professors also got the satisfaction of seeing students and evaluating their progress within the context of classroom sessions. The university was also satisfied with the blended approach as it provided a better experience for the students via quality student-teacher and student-student interactions. This paper provides details about the unique technology used in both the models. The strengths and limitations of using such technology distance education are also discussed.

1. Introduction The American Council on Education estimates that 85% of traditional colleges and universities offer distance-accessible courses. 1 Some disciplines more than other are well suited to leverage distance learning. Opportunities for distance learning are especially timely in the information technology (IT) arena. The explosive growth of the Internet and the related development of web technologies for engineering, science, business, and virtually every field of human endeavor have dramatically increased the need for education and training in the field of information technology. 2 As comments from some of our students will reveal, distance learning has provided them an opportunity to take classes and pursue higher education, which they might not have otherwise. With computing technology evolving at a rapid pace students in the IT field students need to

Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright ©2002, American Society for Engineering Education

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Kanabar, V., & Stainov, R., & Zlateva, T., & Braude, E. (2002, June), Integrating Distance Education With Traditional Delivery In A Graduate Certificate Program For It Professionals Paper presented at 2002 Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada. 10.18260/1-2--10337