University of Nebraska Celebrates 100 Years of Distance Education

At the turn of the last century, students across Nebraska had limited access to a college education. The answer for many came in the form of correspondence courses from the University of Nebraska. Since that time, and with the advent of the Internet, distance education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has evolved into innovative courses and programs that connect faculty and students across the state and all over the world.

"Since 1909 the university has honored its land grant mission to extend the resources of the university to all citizens within the state," UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman said. "The technologies for reaching students across Nebraska have advanced but the university commitment to distance education, as a means of fulfilling its outreach mission, has remained firm."

To commemorate 100 years of distance education, UNL joins the United States Distance Learning Association in celebrating National Distance Learning Week Nov. 9-13.

"This week is about calling attention to the university's long tradition of distance education, and recognizing the accomplishments and innovations of our faculty," said Karen Bell-Dancy, director of undergraduate and graduate distance education programs at UNL Extended Education and Outreach.

UNL offers online programs from high school through doctoral level accounting for 499 online courses and 26 degrees and certificate programs that students can complete from a distance.

"Distance education provides all students within the state of Nebraska access to quality faculty, cutting-edge research, and emerging career fields," Perlman said.

According to the United States Distance Learning Association, online learning is the fastest growing segment of education, with 3.5 million adults and 700,000 K-12 students take a course or complete their degrees completely online.

Perlman said UNL continues to place an emphasis on distance education and that in an effort to better serve Nebraskans and to compete in the growing national and international market for online learning the university plans to expand its distance education offerings.

All UNL Distance Learning Week events are open to the public. For a complete description of events and to register, visit http://eeando.unl.edu/ndlw.

The office of Extended Education and Outreach is the distance education arm of UNL. It offers and facilitates courses and programs at the high school through doctoral level. For more information, visit http://online.unl.edu.

National Distance Learning Week Calendar of Events

Monday, Nov. 9, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th St.: Celebration and Recognition Reception. Chancellor Perlman to recognize Ron Hull, Nebraska Educational Television and Charles Ansorge, Department of Educational Psychology.

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Nebraska East Union, Arbor and Center Drives: Establishing Collaborative Distance Programs. Keynote speech by Sue Maes, Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA) and panel discussion of UNL administrators and faculty involved with the Great Plains IDEA collaborative model.

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Nebraska Union, 1400 R St.: Perspectives on Teaching Online. Faculty discussion of course development and teaching with Cal Garbin, professor of psychology, Michael James, professor and department chair of textiles, and Don Lee, professor of agronomy and horticulture.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 pm, Nebraska East Union: Teaching and Technology "Petting Zoo." Hands-on showcase of emerging teaching strategies and technology applications used to make distance education more engaging and meaningful.