IOWA CITY – The Iowa Communications Network remains as a valuable tool in delivering distance education coursework, although its cost-effectiveness remains to be seen.

According to a recently completed study by the Iowa Board of Regents, current distance education methods effectively meet students’ needs, but cost figures comparing the network to Web-based coursework are not currently available.

Diana Gonzalez, Regents policy and operations officer, said the ICN continues to effectively educate Iowans who cannot attend traditional classes.

“It is very clear that the ICN is not seen as an impediment do delivering distance education,” she said, adding that coursework delivered via the network is selected to meet program and student needs.

William Tysseling, ISU Extension director of continuing education and communication services, said Iowa is not alone in struggling to determine costs for distance education delivery methods.

“There really is a national effort to develop a unit-costing model for distance education,” Tyselling said. “The cost accounting for these types of things are very difficult to do.”

Tyselling said Iowa State uses multiple delivery methods for distance education as an added convenience to students.

“We frequently do three or four technologies for the same course, so you can take it via ICN, Internet or video at the same time,” Tyselling said.

Teresa Wahlert, regent from West Des Moines, said the Regents need to know whether the ICN is as cost-effective as other distance education technologies.

“I would like to know what the difference is,” she said. “I’m looking for a business case that concludes a positive or negative on cost delivery for the technologies.”

Gonzalez said the cost study could be completed by the Regents meeting to be held Feb. 1 and 2, 2006 in Ames.

Web-based coursework can be more convenient for many distance students, as its only constraints are a computer and a broadband Internet connection, she said.

“A student can basically take a class at home in their PJs or house slippers,” she said. “It is a very easy way of taking the class. There is no transportation involved.”

Concerns regarding the ease of transferring distance and traditional courses among Regents institutions were also raised while the Board discussed distance education.

Student Regent Jenny Rokes said transferring courses among Regents universities remains a frustration for many students.

“[Transferring] is very hard for students, it is frustrating for students, it is frustrating for students’ parents,” she said. “Students just don’t want to touch it.”

Mary Ellen Becker, regent from Oskaloosa, said a common course numbering system among Regents institutions could reduce some transfer hassles.

“We’ve got to do something about those barriers and this includes the wide range of those hassle factors,” she said. “In the past there wasn’t the technology to do it, but there is now.”

Wahlert said students unable to transfer courses face greater financial burdens.

“If the customer has to take five, six, seven more courses because of a lack of transfer, that is expensive for the customer,” she said.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said a common course numbering system would prove difficult, as each institution offers unique courses, although it could be accomplished.

“One reason is the courses are often very different among our institutions,” he said. “It would also be a massive undertaking, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be done.”