Delivery Methods
WPI uses a commercially based learning management system that provides faculty and students with a consistent framework for their distance courses. All courses are available 24 hours a day.
Distance Formats
Asynchronous Delivery - Single direction communication techniques are used extensively, so students do not have to routinely access course material at specific times. Students may view materials at their convenience, as long as weekly assignments and other projects are completed as required.
Synchronous Delivery - Occasionally the faculty will use two-way communication techniques, such as chat- or web-conferencing to enhance the material in a course. This type of delivery is not a mainstay of any of WPI's distance courses and is not a program or course requirement.
Learning Management System - All classes use a learning management system (referred to as myWPI). This provides an interface for Web-based course content and collaboration tools that help foster interaction among faculty and students.
Online - All distance courses are delivered through the Internet in an asynchronous format. Faculty use myWPI to manage class communications, make announcements, and deliver course content.
Video - Some courses use a streaming video of the campus course. The video stream is archived on a university server and then streamed over the Internet. Students can access the lecture stream whenever they want and as many times as they want.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: October 02, 2009 15:12:08