Distance Education Week 2006

Online enrollments continue to climb
State celebrates during Distance Education Week

Released: September 29, 2006                        
Contact:  Carol Brunty, cbrunty@ihets.org; 317.263.8846
               Susan Sullivan, ssulliva@ihets.org; 317.263.8849

INDIANAPOLIS—Governor Mitch Daniels has proclaimed October 9-13 as Distance Education Week in Indiana! Colleges, universities, and learning centers throughout the state will celebrate by sponsoring open houses and outreach activities to encourage Hoosiers to investigate their options when it comes to higher education.

Since 1994, Indiana’s colleges and universities have responded to the demand for convenient access to higher education by delivering more than three thousand classes and nearly 220 degree, certificate, and licensure programs via technology to learners throughout the state. Information on these classes and programs is available at Indiana’s gateway to e-learning—the Indiana College Network (ICN), at www.icn.org.

ICN also partners with learning centers in 53 Indiana counties to provide support services to distance learners such as access to equipment that may be needed to complete coursework, collaborate with other students and the instructor, and conduct research online. Many centers also serve as focal points for lifelong learning in their communities, often developing their own continuing education opportunities, identifying community needs, and working with ICN member institutions to meet those needs.

According to Susan Scott, director of e-learning at IHETS, approximately 40,000 people enrolled in distance education classes from ICN’s members last year. She adds, “Since ICN was launched in 1994, we’ve helped bring postsecondary learning to well over 100,000 people."

By delivering high-quality educational programs at a distance, ICN member colleges and universities continue to help the state address critical needs, including reducing workforce shortages, retraining, and increasing the supply of college-educated workers needed to keep Indiana competitive. And through a partnership with Indiana high schools, ICN members are addressing the transition from high school to college and the workplace by offering study-skills classes to help students prepare for admission to and success in college, such as concurrent and early college enrollment opportunities.

ICN is a cooperative distance education service operated by the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS). Participating institutions include: Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana Tech, Indiana University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Purdue University, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Taylor University Center for Lifelong Learning, University of Indianapolis, University of Saint Francis, University of Southern Indiana, and Vincennes University. Members and partners listing high school classes are Indiana University, the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities and the Indiana Virtual Academy. Partner organizations providing student support services to distance learners include the College Cooperative Southeast (CCS), the South Central Education Alliance (SCEA), the Purdue Learning Center Network, and a number of independent learning centers scattered throughout the state.