Institutions that offer all of their courses via distance and none locally are known as single-mode

Institutions that offer all of their courses via distance and none locally are known as single-mode. Institutions of higher learning that offer courses only locally would also be considered single-mode. Only institutions which offer courses/degrees at a distance and locally are known as dual-mode.

Research indicates an increase in the number of dual-mode institutions and degrees globally. There is undoubtedly a corollary at the K-12 level. South Dakota is showing a recent increase in the number of secondary courses offered at a distance. Remember that our current educational system is based on socialization and mass-production rather than student academic need as you answer these questions.

Dual vs. Single mode, as we have discussed, can be taught successfully
either way. Consider:

http://globaldistancelearning.com/Policy/Program/uni-01.html

1.) Scenario:

You are in a learning environment that through some type of misfortune has
found that it will have 3 times the number of students that it has had in
the past. You are on a committee to decide whether it will utilize a dual
or single mode of instruction for classes.

Which mode will you decide on and why?

2.) Would you as a parent be comfortable with your child receiving their advanced or remedial courses at a distance? Why or why not?

3.) Would you be willing to present learning opportunities to students at a distance with no increase in salary or decrease in teaching load? Why or why not?

4.) Would parents who home-school their children migrate to DE courses offered from parochial schools of their religious preference?

5.) At what point does a k-12 system become dual-mode?

A) When it starts receiving courses on-site for it's students.

B) When it starts offering courses via distance to another institutions students.

C) When the first student graduates without physically walking through the doors.

D) When the majority of the courses offered by the institution are offered both locally and at a distance.

6.) In your own words (100 or less) explain what a dual-mode school is, how it would operate and who would best utilize it's resources.

7.) For those of you who would enjoy a third modality - consider time as an assessment medium. Could there be an institution that operates without semesters or school years?

8.) Do you feel that a deadline has to exist for the completion of the requirements of a DE course? Could local courses be offered in a self-paced instructional format?