The Development of CyberLearning in Dual-Mode: Higher Education Institutions in Taiwan

Authors

  • Yau Jane Chen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v2i2.59

Keywords:

open learning, distance learning, barriers to innovation, communication and information technology, learning environment, Taiwan

Abstract

Open and distance education in Taiwan has evolved into the third phase – cyberlearning – conceptualized as teaching and learning interactions mediated entirely through the application of state-of-the-art information and communications technologies (ICT), such as the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW). Socio-economic influences, the development of new technologies and a marked shift in learning paradigms have increased the utilization of ICT at all levels of the Taiwanese education system. Since the advent and provision of cyberlearning programs, well over half (56 percent) of the conventional universities and colleges have been upgraded to dual-mode higher educational institutions. They offer real-time multicast instructional systems using videoconferencing and cable TV technology, virtual classroom systems via network-based instructional management systems, and curriculum-on-demand systems utilizing video-on-demand technology. Critical success factors in the development of these cyber universities and the opportunities, challenges and implications inherent in these are analyzed. ICT and the provision of cyberlearning have gradually been changing the structure and vision of higher education institutions as well as the entire learning environment and educational systems. Because the Ministry of Education (MOE) has initiated a policy on credit-based degrees for cyberlearning courses/programs, the development of open and distance education is anticipated to hasten the transformation of Taiwan’s education system towards one which will create an ideal learning society in the 21st century.

Author Biography

Yau Jane Chen

Dr. Yau Jane Chen has a B.A. in Education from National Kaohsiung Teachers University, Taiwan, a M.A. in Sociology of Education from National Taiwan Normal University, and a Ph.D. in Adult Education from Penn State University, USA. She is an associate professor of Education at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. For years, she has researched adult learning in the distance education environment, instructional systems design for distance learning, and the development of educational policy in distance education. She is currently interested in program planning for adult learners and development and evaluation of Web-based learning.

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Published

2002-01-01

How to Cite

Chen, Y. J. (2002). The Development of CyberLearning in Dual-Mode: Higher Education Institutions in Taiwan. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v2i2.59

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2002)

Section

Research Articles

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