MDDE 664: New Perspectives in International Distance Education

Delivery mode: Grouped study with Internet component

Credits: 3 - Elective

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor

Course Description

This special topics course is based on four years of travel (2005-08) by Professor Jon Baggaley in 21 Asia-Pacific countries. While on leave from Athabasca University, Professor Baggaley advised a series of distance education research and development projects in Asian universities,
ministries of education and communications, and non-governmental organizations. The economic problems of the developing world have caused
its educators to be thrifty and ingenious in their uses of the educational media, and to attempt distance education solutions. The course compares the educational, technical, and political issues of distance education in the developing and developed worlds. It provides an unusual view of distance education from a wide geographical perspective, and insights into the lessons that developing-nation approaches provide for western-style educators.

This course is offered as an Independent Studies course to students who fulfil the Centre's IS course requirements (see below). Enrolment is initially reserved for program students who have completed at least 6 courses, including at least 3 from the core. Eligible students will be selected in the order in which registrations are received.  Interested non-program students should contact the program office and instructor early, in order to be placed on a wait-list for consideration, space permitting.

The course will be based on individual text-conference and e-mail communication with the instructor.  In the event of multiple enrolments, group participation will be added and an audio-conference component featuring live discussions with experts.  The student's participation in the course conferencing component will be weighted at a maximum 30% of the final course grade.  The student will also be expected to submit two written papers, one at the course mid-point (30%) and the other at its conclusion (40%).  The course readings will be customised to the individual student's specific interests

 

CDE - Last updated by MM September 26, 2011