Virtual Campus: Distance learning at UTB-TSC makes educational, economic sense
By GARY LONG
The Brownsville Herald
A whole world of learning is available to UTB-TSC students without ever setting foot on campus.
Or for that matter, without ever leaving home.
In the digital age, virtually all of the resources of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College are available to its students online. All you need is access to the Internet.
"With distance learning, you don't have to get to a classroom at a set time and set place," said Douglas Ferrier, UTB-TSC dean of instructional support. "The flip side is you have to be self-disciplined and self-motivated, but if you have those things you're set - you have access to all of the university's resources."
And it isn't just a few classes.
UTB-TSC offers master's degrees online in mathematics, business administration and educational technology, in addition to bachelor's programs in criminal justice, nursing, and applied technology tracked to workforce leadership and supervision, computer information systems, and health services technology.
In all, 3,282 students took online courses during spring semester. The number included students in bachelor's and master's degree programs as well as those in the general student population taking electives, said Jose Borjon, marketing and communications coordinator for distance education and instructional technology.
For the fall semester, UTB-TSC is offering a total of 166 distance learning courses.
With the price of gasoline at nearly $4 a gallon, distance learning makes sense, Borjon said. Assuming gasoline costs of $35 a week, a student would spend $525 per semester just getting to class, compared to no transportation costs for taking the classes online, he said.
Ferrier said distance education makes sense from a learning standpoint as well.
While distance education professors hold office hours, many students prefer to meet them through online chat rooms or e-mail, Ferrier said.
"Many students much prefer communicating via e-mail," Ferrier said. "That way, you're right in the center of the class and yet the spotlight is not on you."
In addition, all course material including video of lectures and notes for them is available using Tegrity software, Ferrier said.
"With Tegrity, students often are not so concerned with taking notes, and they hear much more of what's being said" during lectures, Ferrier said.
"We find that the quality of education is just as good - and it suits some people better," he added.
Ferrier also noted that all students have access via the Internet to 50,000 full-text periodicals and 150 scholarly electronic data bases reserved for UTB-TSC students.
In May 2001, Julianne Phillips of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., became the first virtual graduate of the University of Texas System when she received her master's degree in educational technology from UTB-TSC. She set foot on campus for the first time to receive her degree.
The university has since added a number of course offerings and degree programs.
"We see it as a growth market," Ferrier said.
glong@brownsvilleherald.com
