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An Experiment in Pseudo-Asynchronous Course Delivery

Carl F. Zorowski North Carolina State University

Abstract

This paper describes an experiment in delivering a graduate level course in a pseudo– asynchronous manner using modern digital communication technology. The purpose of this effort was two-fold. One was to reduce the logistics and increase flexibility in an existing distance educational delivery system for engineering graduate courses. The second goal was to improve the efficiency and academic effectiveness of graduate course offerings for both on- campus and off-campus students. The mechanism employed was to place all knowledge content normally presented by live lectures on a CD ROM. This CD included graphics, text, and mathematical content with accompanying audio presentations in a book format. With the classical lectures delivered by the CD the class meeting schedule was reduced from three to one weekly meeting. Assessment of the acceptance and value of this form of delivery and the resulting educational experience was performed by administering pre and post-survey instruments to all the participants. The results of the evaluation were positive but not dramatically conclusive in the opinion of the students. However, the performance of the class was significantly better than experienced with previous classes that took the course in the standard offering delivery format.

Background

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University implemented a program in the late 1970’s to deliver graduate level credit courses to non-resident students to pursue Masters degrees in Engineering. Courses were initially delivered live by faculty who traveled to a select number of state sites where the students met for classes. Regular university credit was provided for these offerings to fulfill graduate degree requirements. As the demand for university accredited off-campus educational course offerings rapidly grew across the state this method of delivery became cumbersome and unworkable.

A more convenient delivery method was needed that would satisfy academic requirements for university credit. Video taping of on-campus courses was turned to as the answer. This has grown into the VBEE (Video Based Engineering Education) program in the College of Engineering that now serves some 400 students each semester across the state and through the National Technological University. Video tapes of regular graduate courses taught

Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright  2001, American Society for Engineering Education

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Zorowski, C. (2001, June), Pseudo Asynchronous Distance Education Course Delivery Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9702