| Show Battles with Distance Learning By Julia Thomas Contributing Writer Writer Competition has yet to deal with will soon arise with the addition of the new Western Governors University But Competition isn't always that bad said Shanna Distance Learning Director The is a new type of virtual university where students take classes over the Internet It is scheduled to open this summer Utah's governor Mike Leavitt has been instrumental in the pro pro- thinks that the will take takeaway takeaway takeaway away some students students- from but that that- in a. a A way it it will also q imor going to be a br broker broker institution for forus forus forus us she said When students from all of the various arious states involved in the make course selections various choices will be available to them through different schools submit its courses to this list currently offers its own type of distance distance distance dis dis- dis- dis tance learning courses They are offered through videocassettes and live distance- distance which are two way interactive courses Internet courses are also offered with the aid of electronic classrooms mail e-mail and telephone conferencing While the may seem similar to the distance distance distance dis dis- dis- dis tance learning on Internet courses available at there is one key difference courses cours cours- es and in fact all other universities and colleges courses are credit based There a student must gain a certain number of credits through taking classes to graduate On the other hand the is based on com com- Students will receive the same type of degrees but they will be based on what the student student student stu stu- stu- stu dent can do Therefore skills and knowledge gained at work or throughout life will count towards a degree In order for the to function efficiently they're not going to be in the education game They'll be in the training game said However However there are still some concerns with l the i One maj major r co c rn is ili tb J place for teachers Some teachers worry the will be a place where information is delivered delivered delivered ered and not necessarily taught denies this worry The n new w model may even help teachers participating argued For example example example exam exam- a teacher teaching over the Internet would not even have to come to Salt Lake City to teach Answering to the concern of some of the teachers that they will have to change and adapt to this model said Theres always always' a demand for classroom teachers Despite the kinks and some confusion the is moving on the Internet at sma smart vu vu rt tm I. I |
