Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Iowa State University has developed a free online learning
demonstration to help people become familiar with typical features of
Web-based courses. The demonstration was developed using funds secured
from a Retention and Recruitment grant through the ISU Professional and
Scientific Council. The demonstration features fun facts about the university
and significant historical milestones, and can be found at https://webct.ait.iastate.edu/ISUtools/webhtml/demo.html.
Please share the following news release with your staff, constituents,
and friends. We also encourage you to link to the demo from your Web site.
Thank you. We hope you enjoy the demonstration.
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8/28/02
Contacts:
Catherine Hunt, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-1039, cathi@iastate.edu
Sharon McGuire, Academic Success Center, (515) 294-6624, mcguires@iastate.edu
You Can Do It! Iowa State University Develops Online Learning Demonstration
AMES, IA -- Iowa State University has developed a free, online course to demonstrate typical components of classes delivered over the World Wide Web. The demonstration features fun facts and significant historical information about the university. It is designed to help learners try the tools of online learning in a fun format so they have confidence they can take online courses. The demonstration can be found at https://webct.ait.iastate.edu/ISUtools/webhtml/demo.html.
Web-based instruction is convenient, letting students access class information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It gives lifelong learners an opportunity to "return" to school to complete a degree or obtain an advanced degree without leaving their jobs, and can be tailored to meet the demands of their personal lives.
Web-based instruction also enhances other forms of instruction. "Students may feel more comfortable communicating with their instructor on-line. They like being able to ask questions anytime. Students also say enrolling in Web-delivered courses is a great way to learn," said Sharon McGuire, Director of the ISU Academic Success Center.
The Department of Education reports that 84 percent of two and four-year colleges in the United States expect to offer distance learning courses in the year 2002, up from only 58 percent in 1998. Web-based delivery is one of the fastest growing forms of distance learning. According to the Web-based education commission report to the President and Congress of the United States in 2000, the postsecondary online market is expected to be $7 billion by 2003.
Stan Johnson, Vice Provost for ISU Extension, said Iowa's land grant mission is advanced by Web-based learning. "The land grant concept was introduced to help the university engage with the people of the state and beyond. From our early efforts to bring hybrid corn to Iowa farmers via a classroom in a train-car, to the Internet and graduate degrees, it is the university serving the people wherever they are," Johnson said.
ISU offers twelve graduate degrees or certificates on the Internet including programs in engineering, agriculture, and family and consumer sciences. Visit www.lifelearner.iastate.edu for a complete listing of Iowa State University on-line courses and degree programs.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.