E-learning center plays part in new UM system goals

CDIS enrolled more than 20,000 students in 2009.

By Jared Grafman

Published Feb. 9, 2010

UM system President Gary Forsee outlined a new initiative in his State of the University address Jan. 29: a push to explore e-learning opportunities across the system’s four campuses.

The university's main venue for e-learning, the UM Center for Distance and Independent Study, enrolled more than 20,000 students in 2009 and increased that figure by 25 percent this fiscal year, MU Extension Marketing Director Dolores Shearon said.

The program offers online courses that supplement the courses students take on campus.

"Our courses are independent study," Shearon said. "Meaning that you enroll any day of the year and can take as little as six weeks or as long as nine months, to finish."

Students from various majors take CDIS courses with approval from their advisers, Shearon said.

Traci Fleenor is enrolled in CDIS and works in the College of Engineering.

"Working full time and trying to finish my degree made it difficult to take courses," Fleenor said. "Through CDIS, I can take courses that do not interfere with my work schedule."

Donna Monnig works as a liaison between the College of Arts and Science and the Recruit Back program, which encourages former students who left the university in good standing but without a degree to return and complete it.

"When they choose to return, I work with them in helping to determine their graduation goals," Monnig said. "Because so many students within this population are no longer in the Columbia area, CDIS courses become an ideal way for them to continue their education with the University of Missouri and achieve their goal of degree completion."

Nearly every conversation with a Recruit Back student living away from Columbia involves explaining CDIS as an option, Monnig said.

"The variety of courses offered and the convenience of online access have opened up many opportunities for students to find a way to complete their degree," Monnig said. "Especially when time commitments from their personal or professional lives impair their ability to enroll in seat-based courses."

Fleenor said there were many benefits to being a student in CDIS.

"I can still receive my degree from MU and not have to take evening courses," Fleenor said. "You have up to nine months to complete a single course, which is great if you are busy like I am."

CDIS' location on campus and its availability for people to visit, call or e-mail with questions has been beneficial, Fleenor said.

Shearon said there are a number of possible reasons for increased growth in past semesters.

"We've made a concerted effort to work closely with advisers, so that they can make their students aware of the flexible options available, and we have worked hard to make sure that every Mizzou student is aware of our center and what it has to offer," Shearon said. "Another trend to watch is a result of the troubled economy. Students are under more financial pressure to graduate in four years or less, and we can be a valuable resource in some of these situations."

Shearon said CDIS works with academic departments to provide courses its students need. The program adds and revises courses to reflect those demands.

"CDIS has been one of the best resources for students on this campus for most of the university's history," Shearon said. "Long before the Internet and back when people dropped off their lessons at our office or mailed them in. In fact, we will be celebrating our 100th anniversary next year."