Rensselaer EWP - What is Distance Learning

Distance Learning
Distributed delivery is, by definition, when the instructor and students are separated by time and/or geographical distance, but are part of the same virtual learning environment. Most distributed delivery courses are taught in real-time by Rensselaer faculty before a live class of graduate students at Rensselaer's Troy or Hartford campuses. Course content delivered to the distributed students combines these real-time sessions with synchronous and asynchronous technologies. The specific technologies selected provide engaging learning experiences and maximum opportunities for interaction between students and faculty. These technologies range from CD delivery, interaction via the Internet, to real-time fully interactive video conferencing.

How Distributed Delivery Works
DEM offers a number of distance education courses via the Internet, CD and Video Conferencing in which videos of course lectures, along with other course-related material, can be viewed by students anywhere in the world. With these options Rensselaer’s EWP students have options of attending lectures on campus, watching them online or in the comfort of their own home. In some cases, courses are available online only. Students who take distributed delivery courses online complete the same coursework as students who take the courses on campus.

Courses delivered via distance combine campus class meetings with online learning activities. Most of the coursework is conducted online and campus class meetings are designed to maximize the value of face-to-face interaction with other students and with faculty. Students are expected to come to campus to participate in 2-4 class sessions for each course in which they are enrolled. As a result, students are guaranteed face-to-face interaction with faculty in every course they take via distance. Courses may originate on the Troy or Hartford campus and to participate in campus class meetings students would go to the campus at which the course originates. Students are also expected to actively participate in both synchronous and asynchronous online activities in between campus class meetings and must have access to appropriate computing resources with which to do this (details on the website). The faculty will designate for each course the weeks in which they expect distance students to be on campus and it will vary based on the design of the course and the way in which the faculty choose to conduct class meetings. Most courses meet once a week in the evening for 3 hour class meetings, but there are some courses that meet twice a week during the day for 1-2 hour class meetings.

Based on the format and structure of each course, specific technologies will be selected to deliver the course to distributed sites and students. The technologies used for each course will be described on the website for each course prior to the start of each term. The possible technologies are described below:

Online Conferencing (OLC) - Course activities, such as demonstrations, collaboration on team projects, project presentations, quizzes, and office hours, which require synchronous, or live, interaction will utilize an online conferencing tool which enables online communication and collaboration over the Internet. Its features include web-based audioconferencing, synchronized presentation of content and web-browsing, text chat, application-sharing, and synchronized white board.

Internet Videostreaming, Live or Delayed (VSL, VSD) - Lecture or content is captured on video, digitized, delivered via the Internet, and viewed on your computer. Videostreams may consist of entire class lectures or shorter video clips of specific content. Live videostreams will be available for synchronous viewing while the class is being conducted and may also offer real-time chat interaction with the instructor and classroom. VSL the stream is webcast live as the class is meeting. This delivery mode offers the opportunity for the remote student to interact with the professor and other students (through web chat, if used) in real time. VSD after the class has been recorded, EWP producers and media developers create video files. These video-streams files are normally available within 72 hours of the live class meeting.

Compact Disc (CD) - Course materials, such as video-streamed lectures or video segments, multimedia demonstrations or models, readings, application software, and databases will be delivered on CD and sent directly to sites and students either at the beginning of the semester or throughout the semester. Instructions on how the CD will be used and the content of the CD will be provided in the course orientation materials.

Rensselaer's Learning Management System (LMS) - Rensselaer uses a course management system to create a web-based interface and course website for all EWP courses. The LMS offers several communication and collaboration options for students and faculty and features that provide students with access to course materials, videostreams, chat sessions, a bulletin board for announcements and class discussions, contact information and other important course resources.

Videoconferencing (VC) - For sites that have the facilities and resources, videoconferencing provides a live connection between Rensselaer and distributed sites with two-way audio and video interaction. Rensselaer has both ISDN and H.320 compatible videoconferencing equipment. Videoconferences with participation from multiple sites will require the services of a videoconference bridge provider. Participating sites incur all bridge charges, and each site must certify in advance with the bridge provider. Courses delivered by videoconferencing offer a "virtual classroom" environment in which students can see, be seen, and interact freely with the instructor and classmates.

Distance Learning