Distance Education: How does it work? How is it working? Joan Weinstein Harvard University Extension School Joint Statistical Meetings Toronto 2004

JSM General Information Harvard University Extension School –Average student age is 33; median is 30 Undergraduate and graduate students –Part-time study –Open enrollment Classes meet one night a week for two hours

JSM My Course Information Class size = 90 to 100 Written homework assigned each week Minitab assignments as appropriate Midterm examination Final examination Graduate project

JSM Support Staff Course Assistant –Communication with Distance Ed students Teaching Assistants –Sections, grading, contact with students Graders –Grading, contact with students Web Master –Maintenance of course website

JSM How is the course delivered? Class is held in a regular classroom Each class is videotaped Material is projected using a pdf file Video is available to students in 48 hours via the course website Selected sections are videotaped

JSM Assessment Distance Ed students fax in their assignments –Course assistant acknowledges receipt of fax –Students use a specific cover sheetcover sheet –Assignments are mailed back if requested

JSM Exams and Projects Students who live in New England must take exams in class Other Distance Ed students find local proctors –Exam is available to proctor online –Exam is mailed back to Extension Projects are sent directly to me

JSM Communication Students can phone or me or any of the support staff Questions about receipt of assignments are handled by the course assistant

JSM How has it changed my life? Class presentations must be very carefully prepared Class enrollment is up; attendance is down No personal contact with Distance Ed students

JSM How are students affected? Good students take advantage of the videos Students feel they can miss class more easily –They get behind more easily Student evaluations have changed a bit –Students lose the personal touch when they choose to watch the videos rather than attend class

JSM Distance Education Students Time disadvantage –Delay in access to video –Delay in getting graded work returned No “live” communication

JSM Conclusions The course is now available to students who ordinarily couldn’t take it Expensive in terms of time and money –Harvard made the decision to do it “right” New facility for Distance Education Great support for faculty Commitment to students

JSM For More Information My address: For information about Distance Education at Harvard Extension School: Course website: courses.dce.harvard.edu/~state50