Reaching an ITopia in Distance Learning--A Case Study.

Since 1994, in line with the rapid expansion of the Internet access to the ABC community, the School of Science and Technology (S&T) has progressively introduced online elements into its course presentation, particularly the use of electronic communication technologies such as bulletin boards, e-mail and more recently web-based features such as chat, electronic whiteboards as well as the electronic submission of assignments. Currently, every single instructor and tutor can communicate with students through e-mail and over 60% courses offered by S&T features online support elements. However, only a handful of courses have parts of the contents delivered through the web. This situation reflects a deliberate approach whereby technology is used only when a clear “value addition” is demonstrated. This article describes the experience of the School in this migration and discusses various challenges and issues associated with it.