The ability to offer classes online is changing the way people think about education, but universities are having a difficult time persuading faculty to become involved, said a distance education expert on Thursday.
Most faculty already have a full set of obligations.
FSU's Learning Systems Institute is playing host to the conference, which runs through Saturday at the Oglesby Union and is estimated to register more than 400 educators - representing 36 different countries. The conference gives educators a chance to present their research on technology, talk about hot topics like the ever-expanding college classes provided online and delve into more serious issues, such as how to help poor countries improve the education level of their citizens. Simonson said universities must make distance education a priority. FSU has had trouble in the past luring faculty to use the Internet as a conduit for teaching, said Carole Hayes, but it's now having great success. FSU offers about a dozen degree programs and works to add up to 10 new online courses each semester.