Abstract:

The distance learning programmes at Universiti Sains Malaysia was established back in 1971 through the School of Distance Education. Various forms of technologies were used as part of the academic support system for its distance education learners. The School of Distance Education has evolved from using print-based media to computer-based media. Print based media in the form of printed lecture notes was first used when Universiti Sains Malaysia started its distance learning programmes. In the early 1980’s self instructional modules were designed for the working adults studying at a distance. This was complemented with occasional visit to the study centres by the lecturers and the deployment of part time tutors at the study centres to conduct tutorials during the weekend. Due to the non availability of competent part time tutors and also the non uniformity of tutorials, audio teleconferencing was introduced in 1988. Lectures were conducted by the course lecturer direct from the main campus. However, science students have difficulty in understanding certain concept without visually seeing them. In 1991 the School of Distance Education introduced the audio graphic teleconferencing to overcome the said problem. With the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) many changes and innovations were undertaken by the School of Distance Education in the delivery of instructions to its distance education learners. The ICT used consists of interactive live video conferencing, the Learning Management System, the learning object repository, the web-based e-Post and the web-based e-Assignment. Live video conferencing involves the live interactive transmissions of images, speeches, texts, graphics, video playbacks, animations and computer applications back and forth in course contents between the main studio at USM and ten other regional centres using leased lines with the transmission speed of 768 Kbps. Students can interact not only with their lecturer but also with their fellow students. The Learning Management System consists of an opensource Learning Management System which has more than 6,000 students enrolled as users in over 220 courses. The learning object repository, in the form of video lectures and lecture notes enables students to gain access to course presentations regardless of spatial and temporal limitations. Other ICT used consists of the e-Post which is a student-friendly tracking system that ensures the accurate and timely delivery of learning materials. The e-Assignment is the tracking mechanism of student assignments that allows the efficient management of student course assignments. This paper traces Universiti Sains Malaysia’s experience over a period of forty years in introducing various forms of technologies in enhancing and providing a high quality distance education programmes. Discussion focuses on the development process of each phase of implementation. It also discusses the impact of the usage of technologies on the community especially in meeting the objectives of each of the systems deployed, the sustainability plan and the commitment of the promoter.

Keywords:

Distance education, audio teleconferencing, video conferencing, learning management system.