Abstract
During the past decade there have been numerous efforts to reinvigorate distance education; some of these have involved video technology, but others have made use of computers and advances in the design of computer software. In 1995, the State University of New York, funded by a major grant from the Sloan Foundation, embarked upon the creation of an "on-line" learning program--a set of asynchronous and distance learning courses delivered solely via computer. In whatfollows, I detail the genesis and structure of a course in political and social philosophy that I designed (and taught) for this project. After some preliminary comments on the "virtual classroom”. I illustrate the design of the course, and then offer a brief qualitative assessment. I close the essay with some cautionary reflections on computer-mediated education. Athough my initial skepticism about such courses has been modified, I still believe that there is something valuable about the direct, face-to-face, encounter of teacher and student that is not easily compensated for in computer-mediated learning.
Highlights
During the past decade there have been numerous efforts to reinvigorate distance education; some of these have involved video technology, but others have made use of computers and advances in the design of computer software
The SUNY/Sloan initiative, called the SUNY Learning Network (SLN), seeks to provide college courses and degree programs for working adults who, because of location or schedule, cannot attend traditional classes held on a university campus
The SLN involves eight colleges in the Hudson River Valley--SUNY at New Paltz, Empire State College, and six community colleges; faculty are recruited from each of the affiliated institutions and the technical expertise is provided by the Center for Learning and Technology at Empire State College
Summary
Distance learning has traditionally involved correspondence, off-campus courses, or television and radio broadcasts, the idea of on-line (computerized) distance learning is not new; the technology is only being exploited to any degree. Over the past few years, a variety of institutions--including New York University, Drexel University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, the New School, Mercy College, and Great Britain's Open University--have begun to offer various programs which are delivered wholly on-line Such courses reach students who cannot attend classes on the home campus and are, distance learning courses; these courses are asynchronous in that a student can participate on-line at any time of day or night. The SUNY/Sloan initiative, called the SUNY Learning Network (SLN), seeks to provide college courses and degree programs for working adults who, because of location or schedule, cannot attend traditional classes held on a university campus As of this writing, the SLN (which is slated for expansion to other SUNY institutions) involves eight colleges in the Hudson River Valley--SUNY at New Paltz, Empire State College I provided introductory and concluding lectures on each of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, and I offered commentary on various portions of their texts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
