Teaching
Teleducation
Teleducation
A key advantage to teleducation is the ability to provide real time, interactive instruction over large distances. Students and instructors are able to ask questions, assess understanding, and form relationships that transcend the vast physical distance between them.
This educational exchange makes use of the video technology, and internet, satellite and ISDN links to transmit real-time images and information between the partner institutions.
Example: Seminar on African Ecology
A joint seminar offered simultaneously at the University of Virginia, University of Witswatersrand and Eduardo Mondlane University involved more than 150 undergraduate students.
Lectures were linked - in real time - by satellite and ISDN lines to classrooms at all three sites. Speakers from all three universities discussed environmental issues in southern Africa and interacted "live" with students at all three institutions.
Dr. Michael Garstang, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia Elephants and Long Distance Communication in Southern Africa
Dr. Mary Scholes, Univ. Witwatersrand, South Africa
Nutrient Cycles and the African Savannas
Dr. Paul Desanker, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia
African Global Change
Dr. Rui Brito, Univ. Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique
Effects of the Limpopo River Floods on Agriculture
Dr. Hank Shugart, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia
Ecological Models of African Savannas and Woodlands
Dr. Harold Annegarn, Univ. Witwatersrand, South Africa
Atmospheric Pollution in Urban Regions of South Africa
Dr. Joseph Miller, Department of History, University of Virginia
The Oral Tradition and History of Africa
Dr. Lee Burger, Univ. Univ. Witwatersrand, South Africa
The Evolution of Mammals on African Savannas
Dr. Bruce Hayden, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia
The US Long Term Ecological Research Program and the Potential for Africa
Dr. Robert Swap, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia
Dust in the Winds of Southern Africa
Grad Students, University of Virginia and University of Witwatersrand
Advancing our Understanding of the Changing Environment by Graduate Study
What we learned: Teleducation has a number of advantages and benefits for students and faculty participating in the classes: Sharing of resources, utilization of regional expertise, expansion of educational opportunities, and the introducing global perspectives.
Certain challenges to teleducation remain, including logistical considerations (different academic calendars, time zone differences, daylight savings) and technical issues (loss of connection to satellite, ISDN, IP; diminished quality of presentations). These challenges are easily addressed with improved planning and some investment in equipment at each institution.
