1996 ALN Conference

Welcome to the Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALN) that was sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and New York University's School of Continuing Education. The conference was held in New York City on November 1st and 2nd, 1996.

As the knowledge demands imposed upon both those who teach and learn increase, new technologies are making possible innovative approaches to educating students and employees outside of the classroom. Newly-created asynchronous learning networks eliminate the instructional impediments of space and time, while providing a degree of student and faculty interaction and collaboration that is truly unique.

Since 1993, The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has sought to help make available education outside the classroom, for those motivated to seek it, in science, mathematics, engineering, and other disciplines required in the world of work. Over forty projects totaling $15 million have been funded with a view toward exploring how learning Is best done in an asynchronous environment. Some projects have modest goals, such as the development of a single course in the new mode. Others are attempting to deliver full degrees or certifications--some on a national basis-to remote learners, or to explore new outcomes that might be enabled by ALNs for traditional on campus learners. These projects have contributed much new information on ALN matters as diverse as course development, faculty motivation, student access, technology assessment, learning outcomes, and program cost-effectiveness.

This conference was an opportunity to learn about the latest asynchronous learning programs, processes, packages and protocols. We hope that the proceedings of the conference will provide you with useful insights into how ALNs can expand the spatial, temporal, and intellectual boundaries of learning.

Conference Proceedings

Friday, November 1, 1996

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Gerald Heeger
Dean, NYU School of Continuing Education

Frank Mayadas
Program Officer
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

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Ralph Gomory
President
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
"Learning Outside the Classroom"

Ralph Gomory's presentation in RealAudio format. Download: ( Part1 | Part 2 | Part 3 )

THE NEED FOR NETWORKED LEARNING

Frank Mayadas - Moderator
Program Officer
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

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Sylvia Manning - Presenter
V.P. of Academic Affairs
University of Illinois
"ALN at the University of Illinois: On Campus and Off"

Sylvia Manning's presentation in RealAudio format. Download: ( Part1 | Part 2 | Part 3 )

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James Duderstadt - Presenter
President Emeritus
University of Michigan
"The American University in the Digital Age"

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Robert Albrecht - Presenter
Associate Vice President
University of Colorado
Co-director, Western Governor's Association

Robert Albrecht's presentation in RealAudio format. Download: ( Part1 | Part 2 | Part 3 )

Saturday, November 2, 1996

FAR FROM CAMPUS ALN

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Dale Harris - Presenter
Executive Director
Center for Telecommunications
Stanford University
"High Speed Networks and Distance Education On Demand"

Mary Beth Almeda - Presenter
Director
Center for Media and Ind. Learning
University of California, Extension
"University of California Extension's Online Program: From Concept to Reality"

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Richard Vigilante - Presenter
Director
Information Technologies Institute
New York University
School of Continuing Education
"Cost Effectiveness of Online ALN Instruction"

ALN SOFTWARE EVALUATION

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John Sener - Presenter
Project Director / Instructional Technologist
Extended Learning Institute
Northern Virginia Community College
"Selecting CMC Software: NVCC's Experience with FirstClass and Lotus Notes"

NEAR CAMPUS ALN

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Linda Collins - Co-Presenter
Coordinator of Educational Computing
Rio Salado Community College
Mary Hannaman - Co-Presenter
Co-director Adult Basic Education
Rio Salado Community College
"Addressing the Needs of At Risk and Culturally Diverse Students through Remote Access Technology"

Eric Fredericksen - Presenter
Director of SUNY Learning Network
SUNY
"Overview of the SUNY Learning Network"

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Roxanne Hiltz - Presenter
Distinguished Professor of Computer and Information Science
New Jersey Institute of Technology
"Launching a Degree Program in Information Systems via Virtual Classroom: 99% Overview Result"

CORPORATE ALNS

Rembert Aranda - Moderator
Business Planning Manager
Hewlett-Packard Company

Kenneth Landau
Manager of Strategy and Program Development
IBM Solutions Institute

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Kathleen Snyder
Program Manger for Academic Relationships
"Distance Learning in IBM Global Services"

Al Jung
Staff Director - Electronic Education
NYNEX Training and Education

Jerry Steele
President
Michigan Information Technology Network

ON CAMPUS ALN

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John Ory - Presenter
Director of Instructional Resources
University of Illinois
"One Year of On-Campus ALN Experience: An Evaluation Report"

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Richard Crang - Presenter
Dept. of Plant Biology
University of Illinois
"Developing Integrated Web Notes and Conferencing for On-Campus ALN in Plant Biology"

Alan Stuart
Associate Professor of Acoustics
Graduate Programs in Acoustics
Pennsylvania State University
"Asynchronous Engineering Education: Expectations and Experiences"

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

Ted Christensen - Moderator
Assistant V.P. GWTV
George Washington University

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Burks Oakley, II - Co-Presenter
Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Illinois
"Faculty Development in the Sloan Center at UIUC Faculty Development in the Sloan Center at UIUC"

Burks Oakley's presentation in RealAudio format. Download: ( Part1 | Part 2 )

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Lanny Arvan - Co-Presenter
Associate Professor of Economics
Associate Director of SCALE
University of Illinois
"Faculty Development from the Pioneers to the Mainstream"

Lanny Arvan's presentation in RealAudio format. Download: ( Part1 | Part 2 )

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Pamela Pease - Presenter
Vice President and Dean
Academic Programs and Services
International University College
"A New Model for Meeting the Challenge of Faculty Using New Media"

C. David Taylor
Instructional Designer and Assessment Coordinator
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College

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Lucinda Roy - Co-Presenter
Gloria D. Smith, Professor
Associate Dean For Curriculum, Outreach and Diversity
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State College
"Faculty Development and Cross Unit Collaboration: The Roles of Academic Colleges and Information Systems"

ALN PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS

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Thomas Triscari
Director
Sloan Center for Asynchronous Learning
Drexel University
College of Information Science and Technology
"Drexel University's MS Information Systems ALN Program"

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Amy Geffen
Assistant Dean, Community Services
Adult and Continuing Education
Westchester Community College
"Working with Corporations: Non-Credit Outcomes"

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David McConnell
Division of Adult Continuing Education
University of Sheffield
"A Phenomenological Case Study of the Experience of Networked Learning"

ALN POLICIES AND ISSUES

George Connick - Moderator
President
Education Network of Maine
University of Maine/Augusta

Kenneth Salomon, Esq.
Dow, Lohnes, Alberson
"Copyright and the Information Superhighway"

Adam Eisgraw, Esq.
Legislative Counsel
American Library Association
"What's a WIPO?: Critical Questions for Educators in the World of Intellectual Property Debate"

Gerald W. Patton
Executive Associate Director
Commission on Higher Education
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
"Distance Learning and Regional Accreditation: The Middle States Perspective"

Sunday, November 3, 1996

SUSTAINING AND GROWING ALNS

Arlene Krebs- Moderator
President
New Orbit Communications
"Funding Telecommunications and New Media Projects"

Frank Mayadas
Program Officer
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
"Sloan Foundation Direction"

Robert Sistill
Senior Program Officer
Officer of Telecommunications and Information Application
NTIA
"Opportunity for Federal Matching Funds to Plan or Construct Distance Learning Facilities and Systems"

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John Bourne
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vanderbilt University
"The ALN Web, the Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks and the ALN Society"