The University of Texas System TeleCampus: A statewide model for collaboration

Authors

  • Darcy W. Hardy
  • Robert L. Robinson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v2i2.53

Keywords:

distance education, e-learning, online education, Texas

Abstract

The University of Texas (UT) System has been meeting educational needs of students for over 150 years. In 1997, the UT System initiated the development of the UT TeleCampus, a centralized facilitation point for distance learning. The TeleCampus opened its virtual doors in May 1998, focused entirely on support services for students. By late 1998, the TeleCampus had begun developing what would become collaborative benchmark online programs for the UT System. As a result of having developed over 12 complete online degree programs since that time, many lessons have been learned about (1) barriers to collaboration and how to overcome them; (2) faculty development and interaction; and (3) the commitment required to build successful online programs. This article describes the UT TeleCampus initiative and how it has grown from a services-only organization to a nationally recognized model for delivering high quality distance education.

Author Biographies

Darcy W. Hardy

Dr. Darcy W. Hardy is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Director of the TeleCampus, (www.telecampus.utsystem.edu) the virtual university of The University of Texas System. Professor Hardy is a founding member and past President of the Texas Distance Learning Association; currently she serves on its Board of Directors. She is also Chair of the Distance Education Advisory Council for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is Vice President for Membership. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the United States Distance Learning Association. In addition, Prof. Hardy is the Curriculum Director and On-Site Host for the Institute for Managing and Developing e-Learning (MDE), presented annually by the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications. She has received numerous awards and is coauthor of "Teaching at a Distance: A Handbook for Instructors." Prof. Hardy has delivered over 150 presentations, keynotes and workshops on distance education, and is nationally recognized for her work in distance education management, virtual university issues, and collaborative program development.

Robert L. Robinson

Rob Robinson is the Associate Director and Technology Manager for the University of Texas System TeleCampus. As Associate Director, Rob Robinson heads up the strategic planning functions of the UT TeleCampus and oversees its day-to-day operations. In the role of Technology Manager, he is responsible for the core technical aspects of course delivery: servers, software development and acquisition, network connectivity, and systems management. Rob Robinson also travels Texas and the United States acting as an "evangelist" for the UT TeleCampus. He also has been heavily involved in projects relating to statewide information technology, including a Common Data Warehouse, Smartcard deployment, Public Key Infrastructure standardization, and Digital Certificate deployment. Within the UT System, Rob serves on the Strategic Leadership Council, the Information Technology Management Council, and the Telecommunications Advisory Council. At the state level, Rob serves on the Texas Telecommunications Planning & Oversight Council, and he is the Chairman of the TEX-AN User's Group representing all state agencies, colleges, universities and public entities that use the statewide voice/data network.

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Published

2002-01-01

How to Cite

Hardy, D. W., & Robinson, R. L. (2002). The University of Texas System TeleCampus: A statewide model for collaboration. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v2i2.53

Issue

Section

Research Articles