Technology Based Distance Learning at the University of Florida, College of Engineering - Graduate Engineering Education on Demand

摘要

The Outreach Engineering Education Program (OEEP) now in its fourth decade began with a one studio/classroom that transmitted over the State of Florida microwave backbone. The students had to gather at the closest facility with a microwave link. The demographic coverage was south eastern Florida, the "Space Coast", where most of the technology companies flourished. The mission was to extend the classroom for engineers seeking advanced degrees. In 1987 the ASEE published the 1987 Compendium on Uses of Television in Engineering Education. In it we published a paper, "University of Florida, College of Engineering Instructional Television Facility". This is an excellent snapshot in time. Demographics had changed, technology evolved and enrollment had increased since the beginning in 1964. The primary delivery media in 1987 was 0.75 video cassettes shipped to industry site coordinators with one copy of the handouts. Students would watch the tape in groups. But, the primary mission remained the same. To extend the classroom for engineers seeking advanced degrees.