annualrep99

Distance Learning

1999-2000 Annual Progress Report

Overview of Achievements

As distance education courses continued to grow in number at UWG, the Distance Education Center also continued to receive regional and national recognition for its administrative model and contributions to the field of Distance Education Administration.

We look with satisfaction on a number of significant accomplishments:

The first annual Distance Learning Administration Conference was held in June 2000 at Callaway Gardens. The conference was attended by nearly 100 leading distance education practitioners, representing many states and 4 countries. Conference evaluations were overwhelmingly positive and indicated a need to continue this meeting annually. Final budget estimates indicate that the conference produced an income (after expenses) of about $4000.
The Certificate Program in Distance Education graduated 42 program participants from six countries during its fourth and fifth sessions.
The State University of West Georgia’s distance program and Ed Leadership chair Dr.Lena Morgan were featured in a 2-page Chronicle of Higher Education ad, paid for by WebCT.
UWG President Sethna and UWG technology personnel led the state in experimenting with a low-cost IP-based videoconferencing system (EnVision) which is now quickly gaining popularity statewide.
A proposal for a master’s in Educational Leadership delivered primarily through distance education was approved.
The Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration received more than 14000 hits in its second year (up from 6000), and has been cited and referenced in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The journal continues to attract submissions from nationally recognized leaders in distance education and educational administration.
The number of students enrolled in distance courses in FY 00 was 2821. This represented a 20% increase over FY 99 (2336). During Fall 1999, UWG had the highest distance credit hours of any institution in the university system (www.westga.edu/~distance/borstats.html).
Ninety-two credit courses were delivered over the Internet (at least 50 % online) during UWG’s third year of on-line learning, up from 60 in FY 99. Two of these courses originated in India, with Dr. Nancy Mims as professor. Thirty-eight courses were delivered through GSAMS (down from 47 the prior year). 315 additional courses (up from 158 in FY 99) utilized an online component for 50 percent or fewer of the class meetings.
Fifty-three faculty received first-time distance learning training in FY00. The Distance Education Center also began offering "WebCT Student Orientation" training sessions for students.
Installed state-of-the-art Chroma Key system in Education 243 GSAMS room.

Goals for 2000-2001

Continue to develop UWG’s presence as an international leader in Distance Learning Administration through the addition of an Annual Conference on Distance Learning Administration, in addition to further promotion of the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, the Distance Learning Certificate Program, and the Distance Learning Administration Conference.

Evaluate, refine and improve distance program evaluation.

Promote increased collaboration with other supporting departments, including the registrar, library, the Graduate School, and ITS to streamline support process into solutions scalable for a rapidly-growing population of distance students.

Begin extensive experimentation with desktop distance delivery systems and other IP-based alternatives to present GSAMS.