Beginning of US Distance Ed?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Bruce, May 1, 2001.

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  1. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I'm in the process of cleaning out my bookshelves (which takes forever, since I end up reading everything again), and came across a bit I found interesting. I think I posted this on the NG a few years back, so I apoligize if it's old to anyone.

    One of my books ("The Complete Directory To
    Prime Time Network TV Shows") had an interesting tidbit...apparently, from 10/52-1/53 there was a TV show on ABC entitled "Columbia University Seminar", which was, in effect, a televised course in American Civilization. Those home viewers who "actively participated" were given academic credit through Columbia University. No mention is made how the participation was documented.

    Bruce
     
  2. Lawrie Miller

    Lawrie Miller New Member

    "American Civilization": some less charitable foreign contributors might consider that an oxymoron, Bruce. . .
     
  3. Educational tv predates your find --
    In 1933, the world’s first educational television programs were broadcast from the campus of the State University of Iowa.
    See http://distancelearn.about.com/library/timeline/bl1933sui.htm

    I'm starting to build a timeline of distance learning, with brief annotations of events and links to further resources. Feel free to use the submission form to help me add to it -- it's a little sparse right now.

    (Even though I start circa 360 BC, with educators' concerns about new technology... the written word.)

    For a more complete timeline, though it doesn't have links to related resources, see Jason Baker's timeline at http://www.gospelcom.net/bakersguide/timeline.html



    ------------------
    Kristin Evenson Hirst
    DistanceLearn.About.com
     
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Yes, but we have the best schools, prettiest women, and the biggest bombs, so who cares? [​IMG]

    Just in case you didn't get it, I'm yanking your chain.

    Bruce
     
  5. David Yamada

    David Yamada New Member

    The University of Chicago's DL efforts at the turn of the last century are particularly interesting. Enrollments were considerable. U of C published a report on its DL efforts many years ago (in the 20s, I think); many moons ago I dug up a copy at the main university library of NYU.
     
  6. Gus Sainz

    Gus Sainz New Member

    Kristin:

    A worthwhile addition to your timeline would be Martha Van Rensellaer, considered by many the “mother” of distance education in the United States.

    Martha Van Rensellaer (1864–1932) was a home economist and pioneer in the development of extension courses for women in rural areas. In 1900 she joined the faculty of Cornell University to give extension courses in home economics. Ultimately, the academic program in home economics grew first in the Department of Home Economics and then, in 1925, the newly formed New York State College of Home Economics, of which she was a director. In 1969 the New York State College of Home Economics was reorganized and renamed the New York State College of Human Ecology, which today is housed at Van Rensellaer Hall at Cornell.

    For more information see:
    http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/homeEc/bios/marthavanrensselaer.html
    http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/homeEc/timeline.html


    I hope this helps,

    Gus Sainz
     

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