Also under Dutton's leadership, the Division provides assistance to faculty with the development of web-based courses. While the University of Arkansas' Fayetteville campus may seem a long day's drive to some, distance education technology provides opportunities for learning as near as one's home computer or television and VCR . The only thing distant about this technology is the physical location of the learner. The Center even offers a master's of science in engineering, totally available through off-campus enrollment. The UA College of Engineering developed their distance education program before the widespread use of the Internet.
Students receive a video tape of a lecture in the mail and view it on a VCR .
This method involves using a camera to record a lecture and high-speed telecommunications cables to transmit it to remote sites where students may view the lecture. The Bumpers College and the Walton College joined forces last year to hire Ann Shortridge, an instructional designer who is producing interactive media sites on the Internet for distance learners. In addition, an introductory course in animal and poultry science will be on the web in January 2000. Our largest market is with teachers, extension agents and food industry people who are interested in receiving their graduate degrees. Shortridge will create classroom opportunities via the Internet in which students may access class materials at their convenience from home or office.