Purdue to celebrate distance education growth
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Only two Purdue University students enrolled in distance-learning courses in the summer of 2000, the first time Continuing Education administered courses from Indiana colleges and universities through the Indiana Partnership for Statewide Education. By 2005-06, more than 4,700 Purdue students enrolled in such courses.To celebrate the increasing popularity of distance education and recognize Distance Education Week on Oct. 9-13, the Purdue Student Learning Center will sponsor an open house from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 10) at its office in Stewart Center, Room G-34.
At the event, visitors can learn about the 3,000 college, high school and professional development distance-learning courses available online from the partnership. They also can view letters of proclamation and recognition from Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, West Lafayette Mayor Jan Mills and Purdue President Martin C. Jischke.
Camilla Lawson, Continuing Education Student Learning Center manager, will be available to answer questions about distance education. The Indiana College Network presented Lawson with the Dale E. Dowden Award for Outstanding Student Services in Distance Education at a statewide conference this past summer.
Lawson, who has worked in the distance-learning field for more than a decade, said distance education appeals to both Purdue students who need a specific class to complete their degree and working adults who want to complete their college education or enhance their career opportunities.
"Many people have hectic work schedules or family obligations that make it difficult to enroll in a traditional course, even if they live near Purdue," Lawson said. "They find it convenient to take courses online during the evening hours. Students who can't get into a specific course also enjoy the practicality of distance education."
In addition to the courses offered in Purdue's distance degree programs, Purdue currently offers more than 20 individual courses each year through the learning center. Current courses include:
• Algebra and trigonometry
• Animal agriculture
• Animal nutrition
• Applied leadership
• Business writing
• Food sanitation
• Human relations in organizations
• Internet foundations, technologies and developments
• Introduction to educational technology
• Introduction to social research methods
• Leading with integrity
• Plants, civilization and history
• Reading in middle and secondary schools
• Teaching thinking skills
• Technical writing
• Tobacco dependence and treatment for healthcare professionals
• Tropical crops
A complete listing of course schedules and descriptions is available online.
To register, contact Dennis L. McElhoe, associate director of Continuing Education, at (765) 494-1434, dlmcelhoe@purdue.edu, or Marta Read, Student Learning Center secretary, at (765) 494-2746, mlread@purdue.edu.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu
Sources: Camilla Lawson, (765) 496-7454, cmlawson@purdue.edu
Dennis McElhoe, (765) 494-1434, dlmcelhoe@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
Related Web sites:Indiana College Network
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