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.