Approach

The FAMU-FSU model to distance education builds on our existing web-based distance learning program. This model is currently being used to teach the Master of Science program over the web. Distinguishing features of our model are:

• Simplicity. Our program is based on generally available, easy to use, accepted technology. The typical requirement for a student with up-to-date computer equipment to participate in the program is to download and install the free Netscape browser with the included Real Media video player. Students may also need to upgrade the free NetMeeting video conferencing software that comes with Windows. Other needs, such as student assistance, interaction, and feedback during lectures are satisfied using standard browser technology requiring no student intervention.
• A personal approach using simple tools, such as chat windows personalized with student pictures, video-conferencing enhanced office hours, and Internet help sessions.
• Integration of the online students into the regular classes. Although on-demand education delivered at any time can offer great benefits, it should not be forgotten that in some cases live, interactive education experiences can be more valuable. This is especially true for introducing prospective students to the experiences of a university education. By bringing the online students into the live classroom, interactively, along with the local students, a degree of realism can be provided that is simply not available by other means. It clarifies deadlines and the amount of real progress the students are making towards completion of their courses. The integration improves the interaction between students and instructors; as far as the instructors are concerned, the online students are no different from the local ones, though they see them during office hours through video conferencing. The students are not an additional distraction that operates on a foreign schedule. This cannot help but improve personal interactions. Moreover, the live classroom provides interactions, active and passive, between online students at different locations and between online and local students. We hope to foster further interactions between students using tools such as video conferencing, chat, and newsgroups.
• Integrated video. In the FAMU-FSU model, the video acts as a pointer into web-based lecture notes. This achieves a separation of web course delivery into two different components: (a) the interactive part through the audio and video streams, and (b) the delivery of factual information through web pages. Each component can now be optimized for the real world. The video window size can be reduced to the bare minimum, increasing its robustness with respect to network delays, student computer equipment limitations, archiving issues, on-demand access issues, and so on. The lecture notes can be organized into a comprehensive, stand-alone information source. Our approach then links the lecture notes and lectures together into an integrated learning tool: not only do the lectures bring up the lecture notes, but the lecture notes can bring up the lectures in which they were discussed. For example, while studying the notes, the students can bring up the instructor's explanation about any part that is unclear.
• Low cost. Unlike our older distance learning program that was based on direct video links and videotapes, the web-based program was developed with essentially no budget, using simple resources. No special equipment is needed at the student side beyond a typical computer and a flatbed scanner for submitting assignments. (Such scanners are priced less than a hundred dollars.) At the server side, very little is needed either; the major items are a computer screen projector (or computer screens scattered throughout the classroom) and a streaming media server. We are currently using the Real Media format, but plan to compare it to the free Windows Media streaming media during this project. Existing computers can easily be adapted to our small-video window approach. The remaining equipment consists of simple low cost items such as cameras, microphones and basic audio equipment, a drawing pad, a magnifying mouse, and similar.

In addition to developing the outreach program according to the above general model, we plan to link our web pages to the universities and local interests. The intent is to encourage online students to explore not only the academic side, but also the social and historical sides of being a FAMU-FSU student.