Evaluation and Developmental Plans for Interactive Videoconferencing System in Distance Education

In the fall of 1995, Korea National Open University launched a project to research use of the information super-highway with funds from the Ministry of Information and Communication. As a result, an interactive videoconference network was introduced for educational programs in the geographically scattered regional and local study centers. Using this network, the project connected 14 centers, introduced interactive tutorial sessions, held various meetings among university members in different places, encouraged open discussions among students, faculty members, and general citizens, and created non-degree programs using the system. Detailed evaluation has revealed that the majority of the instructors and participants have had a favorable impression of this system. Despite its shortcomings, the investigaors have found that VCS is here to stay.