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University of California Extension Online: From Concept to Reality

by Sloan-C

Author Information

Author(s):

Mary Beth Almeda, Director Center for Media and Independent Learning

Institution(s) or Organization(s) Where Research Occured:

University of California Extension

Volume and Issue Information

Volume:

2

Issue:

2

Month:

September

Year:

1998

University of California Extension's online program is distinguished among online programs by its broad curriculum and its offering of certificate programs and course sequences designed for adult students seeking professional and academic study. The courses are designed for a national audience and are currently being offered largely via America Online; an Internet site was launched in March 1998. The courses feature "asynchronicity" of instruction, allowing students and instructors flexibility in their choices of when and where to participate, and interactivity through various program features that will be described. In this model, the instructor role has become that of tutor-facilitator rather than lecturer, which has implications for course design and for instructor selection and training.
This paper describes UC Extension's online program features as well as issues related to marketing, instructional design, and support services. It includes a discussion of training issues unique to online courses, early evaluation data, and student and instructor responses to the program.

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