On Line Graduation - International University
Bill Garnett
A unique event that highlights the possibilities of distance learning over
the Internet will happen this Friday (May 8) at 11:00 a.m. on the Internet
at http://www.international.edu/graduation
Three students who have earned a Master of Arts in Business Communication
degree from International University will graduate. After doing all their
course work on line the three will now graduate on line. The graduation
speaker will be Librarian of Congress James H. Billington.
International University's site - http://www.international.edu - should be
visited by anyone interested in the possibilities for education on the WWW.
Although the courses are university level, the methods can be adopted to
other situations.
The graduation ceremony itself will be a fascinating mix of Internet
technologies - including video streaming, RealAudio, and chat.
More information can be found below.
Bill Garnett
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International University: The University of the Web
to Hold Cyber-Graduation Ceremonies for its 1998 Graduates
CONTACT: Shannon Geary
(303)784-8216
sge...@jec.edu
WHEN: Friday, May 8th at 11a.m. - Noon (ET) USA
WHERE: http://www.international.edu/graduation
WHAT: International University: The University of the Web will
celebrate its 1998 graduates during an online commencement
ceremony on Friday, May 8th. The University will assemble faculty,
students and other members of its virtual learning community in
order to celebrate this inaugural online event. It will begin with a
webcast of the actual degree conferment ceremony, including a
commencement address from Congressman Dan Schaefer; an
online chat session will follow the ceremony, enabling faculty
and students to congratulate International University's class of '98.
The graduates, administration, and faculty will also be available to
answer questions from anyone attending the event.
WHO:
· Jillian Starman from Quincy, IL; Kathleen Scotland from Orlando,
FL; and Armando Totka from Martinez, GA will graduate this May
each with a Master of Arts in Business Communication from
International University.
· Dr. Pamela Pease, President
· Congressman Dan Schaefer
· Glenn R. Jones, Chairman of the Board and founder of
International University
WHY: This ceremony typifies International University's commitment
to preserving the best pedagogical practices while using the latest
technologies in order to make education more accessible. Members
of the 1998 graduating class, faculty and administration will come
together in Denver to celebrate a familiar and cherished traditional
commencement program. Sharing this important event online by
streaming video of the event and having the "I" chat capability
following the commencement at noon , enables the larger community
of International University, which encompasses content experts and
faculty from 18 university campuses and students from across the
globe, to join in the celebration. International University is inviting
the news media and others interested in "cyber-education" to join
us for this event, which will help to illustrate the strong personal
ties that are established between students and faculty that
participate in a highly interactive online learning environment.
BACKGROUND:
International University offered its first classes in the Spring of 1995.
Its courses are offered entirely over the Internet and World Wide
Web and provide education to adult students without the barriers
of time and place which so often impedes them. Each student
knew that distance education was the best option to continue their
education, as the drive to a local university took too much time out
of their busy schedules. By taking classes via the Internet, they
were able to "be" in class when it was convenient for them.
"International University offered me the opportunity to fit my
educational needs into the rest of my commitments. Joining a
traditional program would have meant driving an hour and a half
to class, with International University I used my home office
computer for all my courses; a very convenient and effective
use of my resources," stated Jillian Starman.