Current and Future Demand for Distance Education.

Overview & Synopsis

This study assesses current and future demands for distance education at the University of Alaska (UA). It highlights findings from interviews with representatives of 33 rural organizations, and 36 instructors who teach 53 distance education courses. It also lists questions raised and recommendations made by provosts at the Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau campuses. Included are an economic and demographic overview, fall 1997 distance delivery education overview, provosts' questions and recommendations. Findings indicate that, during the fall 1997 semester, nearly 4,115 students in 178 Alaskan locations were enrolled in 293 distance education courses offered through the UA. Distance education instructors suggested that courses will continue to draw more students because of the flexibility and accommodations they provide, and recommended that UA increase media advertising. Rural employers were less satisfied with distance education offerings than the local education authorities, wanted more professional development for educators and more training for health care professionals, and felt that skills in public administration, management, and accounting could be improved through local educational opportunities. The provosts recommended that UA should develop a management information system to help track and coordinate programs and courses across the three campuses. Appended are economic and demographic information and survey questionnaires. (AS)