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How did we get here How did we get here and where are we and where are we going?going?

Dr. Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D.Dr. Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D.President EmeritusPresident Emeritus

Nova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern University

September 23rd, 2011 Dr. Abraham S. Fischler, Ed.D. 2

40 years (1970 to 2011)• It’s hard to believe that forty years have passed

since “distance education” was introduced at Nova University.

• To me, it was a simple concept, an alternative to the traditional graduate school program; but to others both inside and outside the educational world, it was extremely controversial.

• It did take some time, but now it is an accepted practice, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

• What was started with two technical tools, the telephone and the jet airplane, has broadened over time with the introduction of multi-forms of technology.

• What compelled us to create distance What compelled us to create distance education?education?

• What were the early obstacles in creating What were the early obstacles in creating distance learning?distance learning?

• What are the advantages and successes of What are the advantages and successes of distance education?distance education?

• What is the future of distance education?What is the future of distance education?• How can distance education change public K-How can distance education change public K-

12?12?• How can we advocate for distance education How can we advocate for distance education

programs?programs?




The first mailbox on The first mailbox on the construction site the construction site of fledgling NSU; of fledgling NSU; distance learning distance learning allowed the allowed the university to keep university to keep its doors openits doors open

• Early days of NSUEarly days of NSU• Founded in 1964 as Nova University of Founded in 1964 as Nova University of

Advanced TechnologyAdvanced Technology• First class was 17 doctoral students in 1967First class was 17 doctoral students in 1967

• Economic viabilityEconomic viability• Professors were supported by grantsProfessors were supported by grants

• In the beginning of the program, the phone and the plane were the “technologies”

• National professors


• Early programs:Early programs:• Ed.D. and Ed. LeadersEd.D. and Ed. Leaders• Targeted towards principals and other educational leadersTargeted towards principals and other educational leaders

• Ed.D. Community CollegeEd.D. Community College• DPA: Public employeesDPA: Public employees

• Format of the programs:Format of the programs:• Met in cohorts (25-30 principals)Met in cohorts (25-30 principals)• Met once a monthMet once a month• Started in California and FloridaStarted in California and Florida• Why was it unique?Why was it unique?• Ed.D. students used their school as their laboratoryEd.D. students used their school as their laboratory• Professors came to give instruction on Friday and left on Professors came to give instruction on Friday and left on

SundaySunday• Summer program; formed national clustersSummer program; formed national clusters


1970s• 1970: Need for the University to open new

programs for fiscal viability• 1972: Need of the school principals,

administrators to continue their advanced degrees without leaving their jobs, use their facility as their research base to perform practicum (a win-win game)

• A successful model with more than 600 students in 16 clusters, one weekend per month plus one week summer institute • National interaction


• AccreditationAccreditation• SACS• State Licensing

• LawsuitsLawsuits• North CarolinaNorth Carolina




NSU has 28,000 studentsNSU has 28,000 studentsSites in 24 states and Puerto RicoSites in 24 states and Puerto Rico


Global reach• Distance education makes possible• NSU is also in 10 foreign countries• Over 140,000 alumni living in 63 countries around the world• The Ed.D. program has produced success at

many levels; at one time, NSU alumni were superintendents of 7 of the top 42 largest school districts• 33 Fischler School alumni are

college/university presidents• 236 Superintendent Alums



Gartner Hype cycleFrom the early adopters enthusiastic use of new technologies

for distance learning to the trough of disillusionment to the slope of Enlightenment to the Plateau of Productivity, each stage is part of the process.

• Example of tablet sales vs. laptop sales• More than 204 million laptops shipped worldwide in 2010• 17.6 tablets sold to users in 2010• Sales in both categories are expected to rise in 2011 and

2012, with laptops expected to continue dominating sales• 233 million laptops to 70 million tablets in 2011• 276 laptops to 108.2 tablets in 2012

• In first quarter of 2011, PC shipments fell 10.7%• According to MorganStanley, by next year, there will be

more smartphones sold worldwide than desktop and notebook PCs combined

• Cloud-based computing allows students to access e-textbooks, email, office applications, and course materials from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

• Tablet computer and mobile technology Tablet computer and mobile technology integrationintegration• Accessibility; Take your learning with you wherever you Accessibility; Take your learning with you wherever you

gogo• In the classroomIn the classroom• On the roadOn the road• Expanding possibilitiesExpanding possibilities

• The “brick and mortar” legacyThe “brick and mortar” legacy

• Changing environment of higher educationChanging environment of higher education


• How can we use these same transformational How can we use these same transformational technologies from higher education in K-12 public technologies from higher education in K-12 public education?education?• Home schoolingHome schooling

• Charter schoolsCharter schools



School BoardSchool Board

ParentsParentsTeachersTeachers

Professional organizations• It is through the professional organizations, like the United

States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), the Division for Distance Learning (DDL) of the Association for Educational Technology and Communications (AECT), and the Florida Distance Learning Association (FDLA) that distance learning is recognized, shared, and furthered. Training opportunities offered by organizations, such as these, help educators, government, military, and corporation trainers, teachers, and innovators become aware of what is new and working in the field of distance learning.

• · Participation in such organizations can also help individuals become connected with others with similar interests. This can result in cooperative projects, research, new ways of teaching, joint class activities, etc.


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