Distance Learning on Campus

NU distance classes are cutting edge

By TANYA WRIGHT
Alumni News staff

Mention the college of journalism’s distance learning program to news–editorial professor Michael Stricklin, and a big smile crosses his lips. You can see the excitement in his face, the way his eyes dart around searching for the right words to describe how innovative the program is, how unique it is.

The program, which began in 1994 after three years of planning by Larry Walklin, a broadcasting professor, and Will Norton Jr., dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, offers both undergraduate and graduate level classes in advertising, broadcasting and news-editorial.

Stricklin, who has taught a number of graduate classes through the distance learning program, is passionate about what he views as an ideal opportunity for journalism students and professionals alike, to enhance their knowledge of the profession.

But the part that is truly amazing is the technology, Stricklin said.

CU-SeeME

The same class can be offered three ways. Students can choose the traditional route and learn in a classroom, participate at remote sites such as Kearney, Scottsbluff, Norfolk and Grand Island where they receive the class via satellite or sit at home computers using CU-SeeMe, a two-way video conferencing software that broadcasts a picture of the student back to the classroom. The picture can be seen by those in the classroom, at the satellite locations and through CU-SeeMe. However, students at the satellite sites can only be heard, not seen.

The big advantage with CU-SeeMe, Stricklin said, was that it makes the learning process more personal because of the visual element.

“I like the CU-SeeMe very well because it’s real personal,” he said. “I can see what (a student at a computer is doing), just like (he or she) can see me. I can’t see what the satellite students are doing.”

One student taking advantage of the latest technology is Houston native Paul Carr. Carr, 38, works full time in San Antonio but is able to take Stricklin’s methods of communication research class via the Internet.

“I was able to enroll right away and commute by computer,” Carr said. “It has been the best thing possible for me. I downloaded the teleconferencing software and attached a camera to my computer at work.”

Carr, who is married and has three small children, said he would not be enrolled at a university if it weren’t for NU’s distance learning program. He could not afford to make the long commute to the nearest institution that offers a graduate program, the University of Texas, so NU was the best alternative, he said.

Classes

Methods of communication research is a graduate level class that meets Monday nights in Room 217 of Avery Hall. Twelve students are enrolled in the class: three in the classroom, three through the Internet using CU-SeeMe and the remaining six via satellite.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had fewer students in my classroom than the number that are out there,” Stricklin said, motioning with his arms.

Despite the physical distance, Stricklin said it’s the closeness between students that is remarkable.

“We’re still small and obviously very dispersed geographically, but there’s a sense of community that arises between these students. It’s really kind of sweet,” he said.

Students participating in the program pay a technology fee that offsets the cost of satellite time and the cost to license the CU-SeeMe software. Stricklin said NU is one of only a few institutions to offer this education alternative.

“We want to get real good at it, and we want to be able to say with some confidence that this is raising the level of journalism to meet the standards of the people who are practicing it. We’re on the cutting edge. We really are.”

Educational opportunities

The college has had a graduate program since 1977, and it has typically attracted working professionals, he said.

“We think that in order for there to be a journalism profession, there needs to be ongoing educational opportunities for working professionals.”

The basic premise behind the distance learning program is simple: to allow as many students as possible to partake in what is one of the best journalism programs in the nation.

Walklin’s efforts have made that goal practical, said Will Norton, dean of the college.

“Larry Walklin has used his expertise and a lot of hard work to be sure our college is at the forefront of distance learning on this campus and, really, across the nation,” Norton said.

As the college’s distance learning coordinator, Walklin has expanded the range of delivery systems and worked with faculty to be sure students scattered around the country and the world can take NU journalism classes to improve their skills and earn their degrees, the dean said.

Of course, any distance learning system has some limitaitons.

“You can’t see all of your classmates,” Carr said. “You can’t meet them in the library to study together or even walk up to the professor for clarification of some point you missed.”

Even so, Carr said the opportunity to pursue his master’s degree far outweighs the inconveniences he sometimes experiences.

“While I miss the ambiance of sitting in a classroom, it is a lot of fun trying to ride the bucking bronco called the Internet,” he said.

Virtual learning

Yet Stricklin doesn’t see distance learning as being limited to the confines of the United States — or even North America. The excitement is evident in his face as he describes his vision for the future.

“Five years from now, we’re going to have students in Hong Kong,” he said. “We’re going to have students in Moscow. We’re going to have students in Brazil. We’re going to have students from everywhere. And why not?”

Stricklin’s vision, however, isn’t limited to students.

“There’s no reason why we can’t have the very best instructors in the world,” he said, available electronically from wherever they happen to be situated.

But that’s still not enough for Stricklin. He hopes to establish a program that pairs students with working professionals who can guide them and give them career advice.

“This is a dream of mine,” he said, leaning forward in his chair. “If I could establish that program so that every student in every one of the professional classes that we teach has a tutor who's a working professional, associated with whatever class that is…wouldn’t that be cool?”