Online Education
Online Education is conceived as a formal educational process in which the major part of the instruction occurs when the student and the instructor do not concur at the same place and time. This is a planned experience in which the variety of synchronic and asynchronic technologies such as: Internet, videoconferences, interactive videoconferences in audio and in video, and other modalities are used to promote learning when the student is at a different location from that of the professor. These experiences are designed to stimulate interaction and verification of learning.
Technologies and Media Used in Online Education
Inter American University has incorporated various technologies and media into its teaching and learning process, such as interactive videoconference and online courses. In addition, it offers the option of combined study courses.
Interactive Videoconference
These are courses offered by the synchronic modality that involve interactive transmission of video, voice and data. The course originates in one place with participating students in remote localities. The faculty-student and student-student interaction occurs in a simultaneous or synchronic manner. The instructor may make use of electronic presentations and other computerized materials, as well as segments of video and other educational materials. This implies previous and extensive planning and development of such materials. In addition, the prior sending of materials for each session by means of fax, Web, or e-mail is required. Also, the presence of a facilitator or official in charge of the discipline (for example, a teaching assistant or graduate student in an internship) and compatible videoconference equipment are required at the remote sites.
Online Courses
Courses through the World Wide Web. Each student will be responsible for having access to a computer or electronic device with the Internet where they receive materials and submit their assignments and activities. Communication and interactivity between faculty-student and student-student is done through the official platform provided by the Institution to complete any academic activity required in the course. The development of all materials and their inclusion on a WEB server is required prior to first day of classes. The Institution will guarantee remote access to information resources.
Combined Study Courses
These are course in which the student combines the modalities of class attendance and study on-line. The combined study modality offers students the opportunity to take fifty percent of the teaching-learning process through direct contact (faculty-students) and fifty percent of this process through the World Wide Web in each academic term. Each student is responsible for having acces to a computer or electronic device with connection to the Internet where the student receives the materials and sends the assignments and other class work. The communication and interaction (faculty-students) take place primarily in the class attendance sessions. For this reason, class attendance is fundamental and obligatory in order to give continuity to the works assigned on the Web.