At Texas A&M University-Commerce students do not have to only attend class the old-fashioned way, showing up at a scheduled meeting time. Instead, the University offers distance education by way of two-way interactive video via the Internet.
This setup allows a professor or instructor to broadcast class from one location while students in up to three other locations are watching the lectures live via interactive video. The professor teaching the course is responsible for providing students at all locations with material they will need for each lecture. The Department of Instructional Technology and Distance Education is only responsible for technology issues, should they arise.
According to the ITDE Web site, new faculty members must receive training on how to use the two-way interactive video technology at orientation. For faculty members who have used the technology, the Web site has a two-question survey about the experience using the technology.
Using an online class search allows students to find classes that use the two-way interactive video. The search is limited to the Fall 2008 semester at this time, but it can provide students with an overview of what the program is like.
The same professors that teach at the main A&M-Commerce campus are available for the two-way interactive video classes. For example, History 551 – Readings in Colonial North American History is taught by Dr. John H. Smith who also teaches at the main campus. The course is the regular three credit hours and meets every Wednesday from 7:20 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Metroplex Center in Mesquite for graduates. It is a lecture class that meets for the entire fall semester.