A Definition of Distance Education

Distance education is a formal educational process in which the majority of

the learning occurs when student and instructor are not in the same location.

Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous and may employ audio,

video, computer or other electronic technologies. This would include

for-credit and non-credit activities for either individual courses/modules or

for entire programs. When conceptualized on a continuum, distance

education includes 100% face-to-face off-campus learning, web enhanced

learning, blended learning, and 100% online learning.

Charge of the Taskforce

Charge: The Distance Education Taskforce will make recommendations that

will support and extend Illinois State University’s high academic standards

through an integrated, planned, and programmatic approach to distance

education consistent with Educating Illinois. The Taskforce will identify both

internal and external issues that impact online education at Illinois State, and

make recommendations regarding distance education that advance the core

mission of the university. Specifically the Taskforce is charged with making

recommendations to shape distance education at ISU from 2009-2014.

Goals of the Taskforce

GOAL 1: CURRICULUM. The Taskforce will recommend strategies to

integrate distance education into Illinois State’s overall academic plan. Such

strategic planning should include faculty assessment of curricular programs at

the undergraduate and graduate levels to determine the competencies,

courses, and programs that would be best learned through distance education.

Goals of the Taskforce

GOAL 2: INSTRUCTION. The Taskforce will recommend the types and

nature of initial and on-going faculty professional development necessary to

prepare faculty for participation in distance education at Illinois State

University.

Goals of the Taskforce

GOAL 3: POLICY. The Taskforce will recommend the necessary

institutional infrastructure at the university, college, and unit level to support

the development, implementation, and maintenance of high quality online

courses and/or programs at Illinois State University. Such recommendations

should include: • intellectual property• student academic honesty• curricular review• program review• admission to fully online programs• financial aid• registration • academic calendar and• others as necessary

Goals of the Taskforce

GOAL 4: ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AND FUNDING. The

Taskforce will recommend administrative structures and funding model(s) or

necessary resources to support distance education curricular, programmatic,

technological, professional development, and delivery needs.

Current State of Online Offeringsat Illinois State University

5 years of data

Comments and Discussion