Distance Learning at SUNY Fredonia

Authors: Khalid J. Siddiqui and Reneta Barneva (SUNY Fredonia, Department of Computer Science)

Abstract

Businesses are continuously forced to reeducate and train their new workforce before they can be productive. A large minority of full-time students have to juggle between classes and work to get them through the school years. The "schooling industry" is faced with an inescapable demand to accommodate this new breed of students. Trend among academic institutions is to redefine their endeavors in terms of producing learning, rather than providing instructions only. We are using a hybrid learning model to attract distance as well as traditional students. One of the major components of this model is the web-based course management system that provides a 24/7 environment for learning and interaction. We review the available avenues of distance learning and offer a model that we developed as an example of distance learning. This model combines interactive classroom, web-based lectures and traditional instructions in an optimized way to achieve the goal of high quality education. The availability of lecture notes and other course material on the course site makes it a 24/7 classroom. Conducting class discussion via interactive chat-rooms ensures student participation from all locations. Further, the optional synchronous conventional teaching strengthens student-teacher relationship and reinforces the course material in the minds of students. Therefore, we believe this model offers one of the best opportunities in web-based distance learning. This paper presents the hybrid learning model and discusses the opportunities and challenges of the web technologies in the education of Computer Science and Technology. Through this hybrid model we have already successfully offered several courses in the Computer Science program at SUNY Fredonia with students registering from across the New York State.