ELearning Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman CEO of the College of Internet Distance Education of Assumption University Keynote address, Training for “eLearning”,

eLearning

Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman CEO of the College of Internet Distance

Education of Assumption University

Keynote address, Training for “eLearning”,

Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center, Assumption University Suvarnabhumi Campus, January 18, 2008

[email protected] www.charm.au.edu

eLearning.

1. Introduction.

2. Five Generations of Distance Education.

3. Sloan Foundation eLearning Report 2005.


5. Sample eLearning Laws.

2

eLearning.

6. Case Study at Assumption University.

7. Sample eLearning Policies.

8. Concluding Remarks.

3

1. Introduction.

1.1 Definitions of eLearning by Sloan.

1.2 US Universities with eLearning Degrees.

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Introduction (Cont.)

Online education or “eLearning” is gaining more and more popularity all over the world. University level: no field of study

where eLearning is not used. Short courses and training level:

formal academic institutions, learnedsocieties and companies are providing eLearning.

5


K12: State of Michigan passed the first law in the world requiring eLearning in high schools.

450,000 students to take eLearning.

Other states may pass similar law.

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Time Magazine: By the year 2020,eLearning will be the mainstream and classroom learning the supporting part.

All countries have established or are in the process of establishing eLearning programs.

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In the year 1999, Jones International University became the first virtual university to be fully accredited.

The University of Phoenix is the university to have the highest net profit. In 2005, Phoenix revenue was 2.251 US$ billion and net profit of 444 US$ million (about 17,000 million baht).

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Capella University is the first virtualuniversity to enter Nasdaq.

On 25 April 2002, the Board of Trustees of Assumption University approved the proposal by the author to establish the College of Internet Distance Education (CIDE) with the author as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

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The College is located at Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center with 12 floors, 12,000 square meters, and about 15 US$ million.

As of January 2008, CIDE of AU offers: - MS in Management. - MS in Information and Communication Technology.- Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology.

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Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center

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Searching Google for “Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology”

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Searching Google for “Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology”

Found 7 entries on the first page about Assumption University “Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology”.

AU Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology is the first and only such Ph.D. in the world.

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To promote eLearning in Thailand, the author includes the subject in the one-hour radio and TV programs:- FM 92.5 and AM 891 every Tuesday 10.10-11.00am.- AM 819 every Monday 2.10-3.00pm.- UBC 89 TV every Sunday 12.00 noon-1.00pm.

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July 2006, the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England named Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman“The Father of Thai E-Learning”

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The Father of Thai E-Learning by the International Biographical Center.

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http://www.charm.au.edu/FatherELearning/Pictures/FatherofThaiE-Learning.jpg

http://www.charm.au.edu/FatherELearning/Pictures/FatherofThaiE-Learning.jpg

Searching for “e-Learning” provides 20,600,000 entries

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About 450 Million Internet Hosts in the Year 2007

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World Internet Usage and Population Statistics.

WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICS

World

Regions

Population

(2007 Est.)

Internet

Usage,

Latest Data

% Popula

tion (Penetration)

Usage % of

World

Usage

Growth

2000-2007

Africa

933,448,292

43,995,700

4.7 % 3.5 % 874.6

%

Asia 3,712,527,624

459,476,82

5 12.4 %

36.9 %

302.0 %

Europe

809,624,686

337,878,61

3 41.7 %

27.2 %

221.5 %

Middle East

193,452,727

33,510,500

17.3 % 2.7 %

920.2 %

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World Internet Usage and Population Statistics (Cont.)

World Regio

ns

Population

(2007 Est.)

Internet

Usage,

% Populatio

n

Usage

% of Worl

d

Usage Growth

North Americ

a

334,538,018

234,788,864

70.2 %

18.9 %

117.2 %

Latin Americ

a/Caribbean

556,606,627

115,759,709

20.8 %

9.3 %

540.7 %

Oceania/

Australia

34,468,443

19,039,390

55.2 %

1.5 %

149.9 %

WORLD

TOTAL

6,574,666,417

1,244,449,601

18.9 %

100.0 %

244.7 %

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World Internet Usage.

Over 1.2 billion Internet users, 18.9% of world population.

Largest penetration rate of 70.2%in North America, 234 million users from 334 millions population.

Largest number of Internet users is in Asia, 459 million users from 3.7 billion population, (but only 12.4% of the population which is far less than 70.2% in North America.)21

1.1 Definitions of eLearning by Sloan.

There are many definitions of eLearning.

Searching for “define: elearning” from Google, 6 sources were founded.

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Searching for “define: elearning” 6 sources were found.

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Definitions of eLearning by Sloan.

From <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleaarning>,

“E-learning most often means an approach

to facilitate and enhance learning through the use of devices based on computer and communications technology”.

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Definitions of eLearning (Cont.)

From www.conferzone.com/resource/glossaryop.html, “Online Learning” is the same as “eLearning”.

From www.intelera.com/glossary.html, “Online Learning” has the same meaning as “eLearning”.

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Another important definition of eLearning

was given in the report by Sloan Consortium “Growing by Degrees: Online Education the United States, 2005” released in November 2005.

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Four types of learning.1) Traditional Learning. 2) Web Facilitated Learning. 3) Blended/Hybrid Learning. 4) Online Learning or eLearning.

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Four Types of Distance Education.

1) Traditional Learning: 0% OnlineCourse with no online technology used. Content is delivered in writing or orally.

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Four Types (Cont.)

2) Web Facilitated Learning: 1 - 29% OnlineCourse which uses web-based technology to facilitate what is essentially a face-to-face course. Uses a Course Management System (CMS) or web pages to post the syllabus and assignments.

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Four Types (Cont.)

3) Blended/ Hybrid Learning: 30 to 79% Online Course that blends online and face-to-face delivery. Substantial proportion of the content is delivered online. Typically uses online discussions, and typically has some face-to-face meetings.

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Four Types (Cont.)

4) Online or eLearning: 80 - 100%Online Course where most of all of the content is delivered online. Typically no face-to-face meetings in the traditional sense (May use webcam or VDO conference).

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The university with the largest number of eLearning students is Phoenix with more than 140,000 students.

Phoenix made about 150 US$ million net profit per year.

Baker College has the second largest enrollment of about 101,000 students.

1.2 US Universities with eLearning Degrees.

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Sample US Universities Offering eLearning Courses.

UniversityYear Started

eLearningNumber

of eLearningCourses

Number ofeLearningStudents

Phoenix 1989 23 programs 140,000+

Baker College, Auburn Hills

1994 252 programs 101,000+

Maryland 1993 597 programs 37,000+

Arizona State 1996 358 programs 16,900+

Capella 1996 675 programs 12,000+

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Sample US Universities Offering eLearning Courses (Cont.)

UniversityYear Started

eLearningNumber

of eLearningCourses

Number ofeLearningStudents

Brigham Young 1997 178 programs 10,000+

Boston 1995 44 programs 5,400+

Missouri-Columbia 1996 265 programs 2,700+

Stanford 1997 228 programs (Not mentioned)

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Searching for “US Universities eLearning Statistics”

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US Universities with eLearning Programs.

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First generation: “The Correspondence Model”

Second generation: “The Multimedia Model”

Third generation: “The Telelearning Model”

Fourth Generation: “The Web-based Learning Model”

Fifth Generation: “The Internet Distance Education Model”

2. Five Generations of Distance Education.

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First Generation

The Correspondence Model Print. Poster mail.

First Generation of Distance Education.

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The first generation: Started in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Known as “correspondence study” using

postal mail. The students and instructors

communicated through writing and postal mail.

First Generation (Cont.)

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In the early 1900’s Baltimore’s Calvert School

was the first elementary school to offer correspondence study.

University of Chicago was the first university to offer correspondence study.


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As a matter of fact, correspondence study can be offered through the Internet by using email instead of the postal mail which is referred to as “snail mail” to indicate its slow speed comparing to the Internet.


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Second Generation

The Multimedia Model Print. Audiotape. Videotape. Computer-based learning, e.g.

- CML (Computer-Managed Learning)- CAL (Computer-Assisted Learning)

Interactive video (disk and tape).

The Second Generation of Distance Education.

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The second generation: Called the “Open Universities”

which started in 1970’s. The British Open University delivered

the course information via radioand television.

The philosophy of “anyone, anytime, anywhere” was adopted by open universities.

Second Generation (Cont.)

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Any person may enroll in courses without regarding to prior experience or education.

A student can begin and complete a course without time restrictions.

Coursework and study is done anywhere the student chooses.

Second Generation (Cont.)

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Third Generation

The Telelearning Model Audioteleconferencing. Videoconferencing. Audiographic Communication. Broadcast TV/Radio

and Audioteleconferencing.

Third Generation of Distance Education.

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Started in 1980’s with videotape, broadcast, satellite, and cable.

Large organizations like the US Department of Defense invested large sum of money to set up satellite network for training purposes.

Third Generation (Cont.)

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In 1981, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Adult Learning Service (ALS) joined with 190 public television stations and about 2,000 colleges to offer over 80 telecourses for credit with enrollment of over 470,000 students.

In 2005, PBS dropped out of the project.


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In addition to telecourses for college degree, ALS also offers more than 1,000 hours of satellite programming for professional development, adult literacy and other distance learning topics.


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Fourth Generation

The Web-based Learning Model Interactive multimedia (IMM). Internet-based access to WWW resources. Computer-mediated communication.

Fourth Generation of Distance Education.

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The fourth generation: is “Web-based” or through the Internet.

Providing instructions via the World Wide Web.

Business travelers and students in isolated areas can enjoy interactive classrooms no matter where they are and what time it is.

Fourth Generation (Cont.)

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Fifth Generation

The Internet Distance Education Model Interactive multimedia (IMM). Internet-based access to WWW resources. All facilities of the Internet.

Fifth Generation of Distance Education.

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The fifth generation or Internet Distance Education.

Offers the potential to decrease significantly the cost of online learning.

Increase significantly access to education and training opportunities worldwide.

Delivers a quantum leap in economy of scale and associated cost-effectiveness.

All existing and any new facilities of the Internet could be used.

Fifth Generation (Cont.)

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The Sloan Consortium is a consortium of institutions and organizations committedto quality online education. November 2005, Sloan Consortium

released a report entitled. “Growing by degrees: Online Education in the United States, 2005”.The report was based on survey resultsfrom over 1,000 colleges and universities in the US.


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Sloan Consortium.

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Sloan Report 2005 (Cont.)

3.1 Have the Course and Program Offerings in Online Education Entered the Mainstream?

The answer is definitely “Yes”: 65% of schools offering classroom-based

graduate courses also offer graduate courses in eLearning mode.

63% of schools offering classroom-based under graduate courses also offer under graduate courses in eLearning mode.

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3.2 Who is Teaching Online? Staffing of eLearning courses does not come at the expense of classroom-based staff: 65% of higher education institutions

use full-time classroom-based instructors to teach in eLearning mode, only 62% use full-time classroom-based instructors in classroom mode.

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74% of public colleges use full-time classroom-based instructors to teach in eLearning mode, only 61% use full-time classroom-based instructors in classroom mode.

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3.3 Is Online Education Becoming Part of Long-Term Strategy for Most Schools?

There is a strong trend upwards in considering eLearning as a part of long-term strategy: In 2005, 56% of schools identify eLearning

as a critical long-term strategy, compared to 49% in 2003.

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In 2005, 72% of Associates Degree institutions identify eLearning as a critical long-term strategy, compared to 58% in 2003.

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3.4 Have Online Enrollments Continued Their Rapid Growth?

Growth has continued at a good rate of 18.2%: Overall eLearning enrollment increased

from 1.98 million in 2003 to 2.35 million in 2004.

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eLearning enrollment growth rate is over 10 times that projected by the National Center for Education Statistics for the general postsecondary student population.

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3.5 What Else Do Chief Academic Officers and Faculty Believe About Online Education?

It is no harder to evaluate eLearning course than classroom-based course.

It takes more effort to teach online.

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64% believe that it takes more discipline for a student to succeed in eLearning course

82% believe that it is no more difficult to evaluate the quality of an eLearning course than a classroom-based course.

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November 2006, Sloan Consortium released a report entitled. “Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006”.The report was based on survey results from over 1,000 colleges and universities in the US.


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4.1 Has the Growth of Online Enrollments Begun to Plateau?

Nearly 3.2 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2005 term, a substantial increase over the 2.3 million in the previous year.

More than 800,000 additional online students is more than twice the number added in any previous year.

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4.2 Who is Learning Online? Online students, like the overall student

body, are overwhelmingly undergraduates.The proportion of graduate-level students is slightly higher in online education relative to the overall higher education population.

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Online students, especially undergraduates, are more likely to be studying at Associates institutions than are their face-to-face contemporaries.

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4.3 What Types of Institutions Have Online Offerings?

More than 96% of the very largest institutions (more than 15,000 total enrollments) have some online offerings, which is more than double the rate observed for the smallest institutions.

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The proportion of institutions with fully online programs rises steadily as institutional size increases, and about two-thirds of the very largest institutions have fully online programs, compared to only about one-sixth of the smallest institutions.

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Doctoral/Research institutions have the greatest penetration of offering online programs as well as the highest overall rate (more than 80%) of having some form of online offering (either courses or full programs).

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4.4 Have Perceptions of Quality Changed for Online Offerings?

In 2003, 57% of academic leaders rated the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face. That number is now 62 %, a small but noteworthy increase.

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The proportion who believe that online learning outcomes are superior to those for face-to-face is still relatively small but has grown by 40% since 2003 from 12.1% in 2003 to 16.9%.

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4.5 What are the Barriers to Widespread Adoption of Online Education?

Only 4.6% of Chief Academic Officers agreed that there are no significant barriers to widespread adoption of online learning.

Nearly two-thirds of the academic leaders cite the need for more discipline on the part of online students as a critical barrier.

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Faculty issues, both acceptance of online and the need for greater time and effort to teach online are also important barriers.

Neither a perceived lack of demand on the part of potential students nor the acceptance of an online degree by potential employers was seen as a critical barrier.

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5. Sample eLearning Laws.

5.1 Thai Laws to Legalize eLearning.

5.2 The US Federal Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001.

5.3 US State-Level Law to Require eLearning.

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5.1 Thai Laws to Legalize eLearning.

On April 25, 2002, Prof. Charmonman proposed and got approval from the Board

of Trustees of Assumption University (AU)

to establish the first eLearning College in Thailand: - The College of Internet Distance Education announced that the College would eventually serve 100,000 students per year.

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Thai Laws eLearning (Cont.)

If the College of Internet Distance Education has 100,000 students, at 100,000 baht each, the revenue per year is 10 billion baht.

If the expenses are 6 billion baht, the net profit is 4 billion baht per year.

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In the year 2002, he also met former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and proposed to him that Thailand legalize eLearning. - The former Prime Minister agreed and advised him to start the process. - So, he sent a letter to the Minister of University Affairs asking permission for Assumption University to offer its degree programs in the eLearning mode.

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- Prof. Charmonman also authored the first draft of the first eLearning decree in Thailand.- The government established a committee to consider the law and he was invited to be a member.

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AU team met the Minister of University Affairs and tried to convince him to support eLearning. - Rev.Bro.Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas, the President Emeritus. - Rev.Bro.Dr. Bancha Saenghirun, the President. - Prof. Charmonman, the College CEO.

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As the Founder and Chairman of ABAC Poll, Prof. Charmonman ordered an eLearning survey in 2003 which founded - 77% of the sample were interested in continuing their education through eLearning.

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November 26, 2003, the Ministry of University Affairs organized an open hearing on the eLearning law.

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As the President of the Computer Association of Thailand under the Royal Patronageof HM the King, - Prof. Charmonman presented the draft law in the morning and chaired the open hearing in the afternoon. - The results were used in modifying the law.

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August 2004, Prof. Charmonman was elected Chairman of e-ASEAN Business Council. - At that time, the Thai Government had not passed the eLearning decree. - So, he tried to get help from ASEAN. - He proposed to the ASEAN Ministers that eLearning be promoted by all ASEAN member countries and the Ministers agreed.

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Prof. Charmonman sent many letters to the authorities. - September 23, 2002, he sent a letter to the Minister requesting permission for AU to offer eLearning. - September 15, 2003, he sent a letter to the Prime Minister to speed up the eLearning decree.

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- March 14, 2005, he sent another letter to the Prime Minister that Cambodia was ahead of Thailand on eLearning and Thailand should pass the eLearning decree as soon as possible to be ahead of Cambodia.

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After 3 years, 5 ministers, and many revisions of the eLearning law.

October 2005. the decree to legalize eLearning in Thailand was published in the Royal Gazette.

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January 2006, AU became the first university in Thailand to offer a complete eLearning degree program, Master of Science in Management, with Prof. Charmonman as the Program Director.

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In 2006, AU offered three MS degree programs and Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology which is the first such Ph.D. in the world.

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Prior to the year 2001, eLearning was not completely accepted by US laws. For example: - To be eligible for federal financial aid, students had to satisfy the “50% Rule” and the“12-Hour Rule”. * The “50% Rule” required students to take at least 50% of learning in the classrooms.

5.2 The US Federal Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001.

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* The “12 Hour Rule” required higher-education programs that did not operate in a standard semester, trimester, or quarter system to offer a minimum of 12 hours of course work a week.

Education Act of 2001 (Cont.)

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The “12 Hour Rule” were killed by the Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001.

Providers of eLearning services had been calling for abolishing the regulations for several years and finally considered the Internet Equity and Education Act of 2001 the US law as making eLearning as legal as the classroom-based learning.

Education Act of 2001 (Cont.)

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5.3 US State-Level Law to Require eLearning.

The State of Michigan of the US is the first to pass a law requiring every high school graduate to take at least one eLearning course.

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December 13, 2005, the Michigan State Board of Education adopted a plan requiring that all Michigan students cannot graduate with a Grade 12 certificate without completing 18 credits in

- English. - Mathematics.

US State-Level Law (Cont.)

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- Science. - Social Studies. - Visual and Performing Arts. - Health and Physical Education.- World Languages.


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Effective April 2006, all Michigan students must take at least one eLearning course to complete all the requirements for Grade12.


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Michigan Virtual University (MVU) joined with Blackboard Inc. to deliver eLearning to 450,000 Michigan high school students during the next 3 years thru Michigan Virtual High School (MVHS).


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With Michigan passing the law requiring every high school student to take at least one eLearning course, other States will probably consider similar laws.

If the US Federal Government passes a law to require eLearning, other countries may also have serious consideration to compete.


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6. Case Study at Assumption University.

Assumption University is The first university in Thailand to

establish a college-level organization specifically to offer eLearning.

The first university in Thailand to offercomplete eLearning degree programs.

The first university in the world to offer a Ph.D. program in eLearning Methodology.

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The College is housed in a 15 US$ million building named.“Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center”

Case Study at AU (Cont.)

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Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center

Searching for “Ph.D. eLearning Methodology”

from Google resulted in the first five entries about Assumption University

102


The author proposal to establish the College of Internet Distance Education was approved by the Board of Trustees of Assumption University

April 25, 2002, with the author as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the College.

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The author also wrote the first draft of the decree to legalize eLearning in Thailand which was later published in the Royal Gazette in October 2005.

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October 2006, the College of Internet Distance Education of Assumption University offer four complete eLearning degree programs. - Master of Science in Management. - Master of Science in Information and Communication Technology. - Master of Science in eLearning Methodology. - Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology. 105


Master of Science in Management includes a major in Human Resource Management. The courses available are:- MS6501 Organization Management.- MS6502 Marketing Management. - MS6503 Financial Management.- MS6504 Operations Research. - MS6505 Research Methods.

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- MS6506 Strategic Management.- MS6521 Human Resource Management. - MS6522 Leadership

and Interpersonal Dynamics. - MS6523 Organization Design

and Behavior. - MS6524 Motivation and Productivity.

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- MS6525 Employee Development and Training.

- MS6526 Negotiation. - MS6527 Advanced Topics in

Human Resource Management. - MS6528 Seminar in HRM Management.

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7. Sample eLearning Policies.

7.1 Human Resource Policies.

7.2 Facilities and Network Policies.

7.3 Financial and Other Policies.

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7.1 Human Resource Policies.

In the college-level unit responsible for eLearning, there must be human resource policy.

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Human Resource Policies (Cont.)

For example, the policy may state thatthe following positions must be available:

1) Chief Executive Officer: A full time CEO should be appointed from those holding doctorate degrees or equivalent or at least associate professorship.

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2) Executive Officers: The CEO could be assisted by a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Academic Officer (CAO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), and etc. Each school should have a Dean, and each program a Program Director.

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3) Administrative Officers: Director of Network Operation Center. Director of Radio and TV Courseware

Production Center. Director of Web-based Courseware

Production Center.

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4) Educational and Communication Technology Specialist: should be appointed as full time staff from those holding at least a master’s degree in

Educational technology. Instructional technology.

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Audio-visual education to assist in systems instructional design, supervise and control media production.

Utilization and evaluation.

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5) Testing and Evaluation Specialists: should be appointed as full time academic staff from those

Holding at least a master’s degree in educational measurement and evaluation

Developing and analyzing on-line and off-line test instruments based on objectives and learning experiences.

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6) Faculty Members: - Content Expert- Facilitating Instructor- Thesis Advisor

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Content Expert:A specialist in a subject must be appointed to be in charge of the course in his area of specialization. Create the course syllabus

with course description, course objectives, list of textbooks and journal articles, additional reading materials, course assessment, and etc.

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Establish the contents of the course and the PowerPoint presentation.

Deliver the lectures in the studio to be videotaped and taped in voice.

Create the handout for students to download.

Set up online activities.

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Define all activities such as - exercises.- assignments.- reports.- quizzes.- examinations.

Set up assessment guidelines for the facilitating instructor to follow.

Develop many sets of examinations. 120


Provide a list of glossary. The College paid the content expert 180,000 baht per course, totaling over 4 million baht for 23 courses in the MSc in Management program.

121


Facilitating Instructor: Must hold at least a Master’s Degree

in the area of his/her specialization with university teaching experience or equivalent.

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Responsible for not more than 40 students in a course and perform the following duties:

1) Acknowledge the receipt of email from the student within 24 hours.

2) Give responses to questions from the students within 72 hours.

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3) Monitor student activities in the chat room and the collaborative group.

4) Check and review the student homework or assignment within seven days after the date of receipt.

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5) Grade the examination and post the resulton the web within seven days after the date of examination.

6) Submit weekly progress report of teaching to the Program Director.

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Thesis Advisor: Appointed and as required

by the rules and regulations Supervise not exceeding a number

of graduate students both at the Master’s and Doctoral degree levels.

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7) Internet Personnel: Full-time Internet personnel are needed to perform the tasks of controlling and overseeing the use of Internet-based learning.

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- Director: Should be appointed from those holding at least a Master’s Degree in the field of information technology or educational and communication technology.

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- Internet Experts: Appointed from those holding at least a Bachelor’s degree in informational technology or educational and communication technology.

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- Internet Specialists: Comprising Systems operators, System administrator, Webmaster, Web developer, Help desk assistants, Engineers, and Technicians.

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- Supporting Staff: Other positions maybe required to support the Internet services.

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7.2 Facilities and Network Policies.

Physical Facilities Policy: Required for the personnel and the network operation center.For example, the College of Internet Distance Education of Assumption University.

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Facilities and Network Policies (Cont.)

- Housed in “Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center” with 12 floors, 12,000 square meters, and worth about 15 US$ million. - All personnel of the College have their office in the building. - The network operation center and the computer rooms are also in the building.

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Network Policy:Network Must be highly reliable. There must be at least two sets of servers to back up each other. In the case of the College of Internet Distance Education of Assumption University, four sets of servers were installed.

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- Two at Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center in Bangna Campus.- The other two at Huamark Campus or at the ISP.

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Hardware Policy: The quality of hardware for the servers and the terminals should be very high. For example, at “Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center” with over 1,000 computers, spare parts and technicians are available right at the building 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

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Software Policy: - Learning Management System (LMS).- eLearning Activities.

137


Learning Management System (LMS)consista of at least 12 parts:

(1) Homepage with navigation menu. (2) Learning centers. (3) Self Access Learning Resource.(4) External resource centers. (5) Laboratories.

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(6) AV Media Center. (7) Assessment Center. (8) Web board. (9) Chat room.(10) E-mail. (11) Frequently Asked Questions-FAQ. (12) Personal Information/Profiles.

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eLearning Activities: (1) Orientation for each course. (2) Studying from the IDE packages

or courseware. (3) Studying supplementary packages

in prints, AV media and external sources via Internet links.

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(4) Perform the assignments, activities and projects

and submit them via the Internet for tutor-marking.

(5) Sit in the examinations at the designated examination centers.

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(6) Get access to the Knowledge Bases (KB) or Knowledge Centers (KC), Students and Instructors Profile

Centers, and Databases. (7) Seek advice or consultation

via the Internet with classmates and facilitating instructors.

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To ensure the minimum required participation or attendance

- Software must keep records of the log-in with date.

- Time and time-intervals for each student’s participation during each learning session.

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This information should have sufficient details and made available to the facilitating instructor.

This will help determine the student - Learning progress. - Learning styles.- Commitment to his/her study.

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7.3 Financial and Other Policies.

Financial policy is required for the eLearning providers: The amount of initial investment

and how to raise it. The annual budget and the desired

period to breakeven point. Profit margin should also be stated.

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Financial (Cont.)

In case of Assumption University. It is a not-for-profit organization

but it has been profitable. However, all the profits have been utilized in improvement of the University.

The Master’s Degree Programs seem to be the most profitable.

146

Financial (Cont.)

Bachelor’s Degree Programs seem to be less profitable than the Master’s Degree Programs.

Doctoral Degree Programs may not be profitable but have to be offered to keep the university in high standing.

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Other Policies.

1) Student Policy: All kinds of student supports should be provided. For example, a Call Center must be available for students to contact by telephone in case the students have difficulty in using the Internet.

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Other Policies (Cont.)

2) Textbook and eBook Policy: In courses where the contents do not change at all like Calculus, a new courseware could be developed and used for years without any modification.

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3) Program Length and Tuition Fees Policy:

In the classroom-based program, a Bachelor’s Degree program can usually be completed in not less than three years.

In the eLearning mode, it can be completed in 18 months.

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A Bachelor’s Degree may require 120 semester credits.- each credit 13 hours of lecture or 39 hours of work

The total hours of work required is 120 x 39 = 3,480.

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If students do not work andares fully committed to studying, they can make 8 hours per day available.

Students would need 3,480 / 8 = 435 days or 435 / 30 = 14.5 months.

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There maybe 12 terms or 4 quarters per year.

Student may choose to complete the term in 4 months, 3 months, 2 months, or 1 month.

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Assumption University the rate of tuition fees for eLearning mode is made a little less than for the classroom mode.

For a subject which does not change, e.g. Calculus, and Statistics, once the initial investment has reached the breakeven point, the rate of tuition fees can be made very low.

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4) Evaluation Policy: The evaluation of process:

The pretest, activities, assignments and practical work performed while taking the course. The assignments and practicum may be marked and the scores may be used as parts of the final evaluation.

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The evaluation of product: This must comprise the final examinations and final projects. eLearning provider must develop the guideline or the operation plan for both the mid-term and final examinations to be administered in an examination center where the inspection of student identification is possible.

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5) Library Policy: eLearning provider must have

a present and future development plan for libraries for students, both conventional and eLibraries.

Existing libraries may be utilized but they should be converted to eLibraries.

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Each library must make available at least five types of documentation and information: (1) eBooks/texts. (2) eJournals. (3) Databases. (4) Abstracts on-line. (5) Knowledge-base/databases.

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8. Concluding Remarks.

From Sloan Consortium Report in 2006,96% of US large university (over 15,000 students) offer eLearning.

There is no field of study where eLearning is not used.

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Concluding Remarks (Cont.)

More and more universities and collegesare offering eLearning Degree Programs.

Hanoi Open University should join the bandwagon for the benefits of all concerned.

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Documents

ELearning Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman CEO of the College of Internet Distance Education of Assumption University Keynote address, Training for “eLearning”,