Web-casting of geographic information science graduate courses

This case study from the University of Maine relates challenges, experiences and opportunities in broadcasting existing geographic information science graduate courses across the web using video streaming of class sessions in combination with web hosting of assignments, lecture outlines and reading materials. Technical, financial, logistical and legal issues are discussed. Because these distance courses are simultaneous with those taught on campus, the major advantages of the approach are that the distance offerings are always up to date and require minimal additional effort by professors. The convenience for distance students is in receiving transmissions and materials on their desktops at any time.