Telecommunications/Multimedia: Distributed Learning Course Creation

Carpenter and his colleagues discussed the process of creating an asynchronous learning experience for postsecondary students that employed a blend of CD-ROM and Internet technology. Whereas this hybrid approach created a superb learning environment, the rapidly evolving software and hardware available for the capture, compression, and reproduction of the educational experiences resulted in many changes in the creation process. This article describes the final version in detail, the difficulties, and the solutions that were reached that led to the finished product. The course was introduced as an experimental class in the fall semester of 1998. To deliver this course, several major innovations and developments were accomplished. The authors created a new multimedia instructional auditorium that functions as a video studio as well as a classroom; found several new approaches to content creation and production; and designed a course that is professional, mature in appearance, and very appealing to their students.