Finally, in 1997, as computers became more powerful and modems faster, the Extension School offered Internet Protocols for credit over the Web as well as in the classroom. It worked well enough that last year the school offered five courses, all computer science-related and all for credit, with the capability for students to either come to class or view taped lectures over the Internet. The Extension School treats distance learning students the same as other students, Leitner said. They have the same homework, the same problem sets, the same exams.
Classes are available to be taken for credit and count toward degree programs.
Students attending Extension School classes over the Internet will see lectures recorded 24 to 36 hours earlier. For a student sitting in a classroom, the professor presents a lecture once. For distance learning students, the lecture lasts as long as a student needs it. Students will often stop the lecture at different points, read background material and then start the lecture up again.