NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/25/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Over the past five years, Northwestern State University has taken a leadership role in the delivery of electronic classes. But people at the university were wondering if anyone was noticing. They have learned the international education community is aware of what is being done in north Louisiana.

Darlene Williams, electronic learning systems coordinator/trainer at Northwestern, will make a presentation on the university's electronic campus, e-nsu, at the National Syllabus Conference. The conference is one of the leading international applied technology conferences and will include participants from throughout the world. Williams' presentation will also be considered for publication in Syllabus Magazine.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Northwestern," said Williams. "We have not been afforded national and international recognition for what we are doing. We are recognized for what we have done within the state, but many people have not grasped how advanced we are."

Through eNSU, students can apply for admissions, receive financial aid, pay fees, purchase textbooks, get assistance from an advisor and receive any other needed service online.

"The presentation will let people know that it is possible to provide those services electronically," said Williams.

This fall, Northwestern should offer more than 100 electronic courses. According to Williams, faculty at Northwestern have been receptive to the new method of course delivery.

Williams said the cooperation of the faculty has made it easier to deliver a large number of classes over the Internet and by compressed video or desktop video. She also credited the university's success to NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Thomas A. Burns and Dean of Graduate Studies, Research and Information Systems Dr. Anthony Scheffler.

"The support of the faculty has been critical. If they were not willing to teach classes in this way, we would not have been able to do what we are doing now," said Williams. "They have been willing to spend hours in training and have adapted their teaching methods. Each of them has been willing to step up and make the sacrifices of time and effort needed."

The conference is sponsored by Syllabus Press a division of 101 communications, LLC, based in San Jose, Calif. Syllabus Press produces information products that cover technology use in the high school, college, and university curriculum. Syllabus Press' primary products are Syllabus magazine, the annual Syllabus conference, and regional Syllabus workshops.

The annual conference is tailored to the needs of faculty, department chairs, administrators and technology staff who want to learn about the latest technology for higher education. The conference focuses on technologies of strategic interest to the mission of higher education, particularly those technologies that support higher education's dual mission of teaching and research.

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