VIII.2 DISTRIBUTED LEARNING AND CREDIT OUTREACH

Through technology, distance education and outreach have become intertwined with on-campus activities, and the lines of distinction between these three areas are disappearing. Associate Dean Nancy Westphal-Johnson coordinates College initiatives and facilitates faculty participation in the areas of distributed learning and credit outreach.

The Extended Day Program provides learning opportunities for students who are not able to attend courses during regular school hours. It also benefits student who are unable to fit all of their courses into day hours due to work, family, or athletic obligations. This program also provides lifelong learning opportunities for members of the community.

Funding allocations focus on general education requirements, needed course sequences, and on interdisciplinary and timely courses which appeal to adult audiences in the greater Madison community. Calls for proposals for Extended Day funding are sent to departments in October for the following academic year. For questions regarding the request for proposals contact Associate Dean Nancy Westphal-Johnson (westphal@ls.admin.wisc.edu, Rm 306 South Hall).

Funding is provided to the College though the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) to facilitate for-credit programs delivered to non-traditional audiences off-campus through compressed video, television, the web, and other distance formats. Under limited circumstances, funding may also be available though this program for credit courses offered on-campus during evening hours or on Saturdays.

Additional College Activities

This office works closely with units within the College of Letters and Science and throughout the campus who are involved in issues relating to instructional technology, distributed learning and outreach. Units of particular importance are Learning Support Services, DCS, and the Division of Information Technology. The College also coordinates with units such as the Office of University Legal Services and WARF in order to address issues such as copyright and ownership of materials produced for distributed learning and credit outreach.

The Division of Continuing Studies coordinates and administers Summer Sessions, continuing education programs, special programs, and cross-college services for thousands of students of all ages and educational backgrounds. For more information regarding these programs visit the Division of Continuing Studies' web site at http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/. 

Last updated: August 11, 2008.