Public Television Focuses on Distance Learning

Contact: Marvin Bowman, director of educational telecommunications, (740) 593-1771, or Olivea Oldham, WOUB public information coordinator, (740) 593-4944

ATHENS, Ohio (May 4, 2001) -- If you or some member of your family is thinking about taking a college level course, but haven't figured out an easy way to do it, then be sure to watch WOUB/WOUC-TV this Thursday, May 10 at 8 p.m. This week's episode of "intouch" will focus on the Ohio University Learning Network service provided by Ohio University's Telecommunications Center and Regional Higher Education.

The Ohio University Learning Network (OULN) is a sophisticated two-way interactive system which gives learners the opportunity to take classes at a distance. This type of instruction and learning is logically called distance education. There are different definitions for distance education which include either the use of video, email, or world wide web based courses. Currently, OULN is primarily involved with the use of video as the primary teacher. This may mean that there are students learning from different locations while the teacher may be at yet another location. The students are able to see and hear each other via two-way audio and video connections.

OULN can help people further their education from any of the Ohio University regional campuses. Located in Lancaster, Zanesville, Ironton, Chillicothe, St. Clairsville, and the new Pickerington Center.

Experts featured in this intouch program include: Kathy Krendl, dean of the College of Communication; Rick Milter, associate professor of Management and director of the MBA Without Boundaries program; and Teri Combs, distance learning coordinator for the Telecommunications Center. Marvin Bowman, director of Educational Telecommunications, will serve as the show's host.

For more information about OULN and distance learning, please contact Marvin Bowman at (740) 593-1771, or email him: marvin_bowman@woub.pbs.org

The Ohio University Telecommunications Center, a unit of the College of Communication, operates two television stations‹WOUB-TV/Channel 20 in Athens and WOUC-TV/Channel 44 in Cambridge -- one cable channel, and six radio stations‹WOUB-1340 AM, WOUB-91.3 FM, WOUC-89.1 FM, WOUH-91.9 FM, WOUL-89.1 FM and WOUZ-90.1 FM. The Center, a trusted community resource, uses the power of noncommercial television, radio and other media, such as the World Wide Web, to enrich the lives of children and adults in southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia through quality programs and educational services that inform, enlighten, inspire and entertain.