Boise State eCampus encompasses all courses taught at a distance using educational technology. This includes more than 250 unique courses, 12 graduate degrees and certificates, 2 undergraduate completion programs and 1 teaching endorsement.
Characteristics of eCampus Courses
All eCampus courses have the essential qualities characteristic of distance education courses, as defined by Verduin and Clark (1991):
- Physical and/or time separation of the student and the instructor during the majority of class.
- The use of educational technology to bring together the student and instructor and to transmit course content.
- Two-way communication between the instructor and student.
What does this mean at Boise State University?
At Boise State, eCampus encompasses all academic courses that are taught at a distance using educational technology to deliver or convey the class content and communication between the instructor and students. However, several learning frameworks are used to mediate these courses. These frameworks fall into 2 main categories: synchronous and asynchronous.
Asynchronous—Electronic Campus
This refers to activities that do not require participation at the same time. Asynchronous courses still have deadlines, and may include some synchronous activities. 95% of Boise State eCampus classes are delivered asynchronously through:
Synchronous—Site Based
This refers to activities conducted in real time or at specified times. At Boise State most of these classes require or offer attendance at physical sites other than the main campus. Synchronous classes are delivered through: