Southern Regional Education Board expands Internet course offerings

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Dec 14, 1998 by L, T

CHARLESTON -- When the Internet was born a decade ago, it was seen as a toy for a handful of computer programmers.

Few people even imagined the enormous impact the new communications medium would have on the world.

Even as recently as five years ago, the Internet was still seen by most as little more than a way to send messages.

But a small group of far-sighted educators saw a much different use for the Internet -- a forum for expanding access to education opportunities.

It took time, but students are beginning to reap the rewards of the effort.

Perhaps more than most, people living in small, rural communities -- like in West Virginia, where in the past, access to education has been limited -- are benefitting most from the opportunities derived from the new medium.

Earlier this month, Gov. Cecil Underwood, who is chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), announced a major expansion of the SREB Internet programs. The SREB is a group of more than 175 colleges working in cooperation to improve access to higher education through the Internet. As recently as January 1998, only 40 colleges were participating.

As of January 1999, Underwood said he expects more than 1,250 courses to be offered thorugh SREB, with more than 900 available on the Internet.

"When we announced this marketplace of courses just over a year ago, we were proud to offer 104 courses," Underwood said.

"This expansion demonstrates the interest and opportunities made available through electronic distance learning."

The number of degree programs available through the Internet also will jump, from a current 25 to 60 by the spring term. In addition, they will include more disciplines. More graduate programs also will be available, as will the number of job-related certificate programs.

"A look at the listing of programs for next semester shows a wide variety of certificate programs, such as medical secretary, electronic publishing and business administration. This is a real plus for people seeking jobs," Underwood said.

"We are developing a system that will ensure courses and programs offered by all institutions in the SREB's Electronic Campus meet the 'Principles of Good Practice' adopted by the Southern Regional Education Board.

"These quality standards set the Electronic Campus apart from other distance learning programs in the country."

Currently, more than 15,000 are enrolled in courses of study through the SREB.

These students are from all over the country and from every age group.

"The Electronic Campus helps remove the boundaries that have always hampered higher education. Colleges and universities benefit from the greatly expanded pool of students, and they don't have to add a single parking space or classroom," said Mark Music, president of the SREB.

Underwood said he believes the Electronic Campus has enormous potential to aid efforts to expand and diversify the economy of West Virginia.

"The campus is a great way to provide the continuing education and training needed by industries and businesses of all sorts," Underwood said.

"The expansion of shorter-term certificate programs enables more adults to get job-related education that can make an immediate difference in their lives."

Those interested in the Electronic Campus can visit the SREB website at www.sc.sreb.org. The site provides students with basic information, schedules and costs.

The site links the students to the colleges or universities offering the courses in order to get more information.

States participating in SREB are: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.