Engineering Distance Education at Deakin University Australia

Increasing numbers of engineering departments are interested in offering their programs by distance education. These schools grabble with several difficulties and issues associated with distance education: course structure, communication with students, delivery of course material, delivery of exams, accreditation, equity between on-campus and off-campus students, and especially the delivery of practical training. In the early 1990’s, Deakin University faced these same problems when it commenced teaching undergraduate engineering by distance education. It now offers a full Bachelor of Engineering degree in both on-campus and off-campus mode, with majors that include civil, mechanical, electrical/electronics, and mechatronics. Student cohorts are approximately 72% on-campus, 28% offcampus. Accredited by Engineers Australia and part of the Washington Accord, Deakin has adapted to advances in communications technology and changes in education design. The future direction of the School includes an emphasis on design-oriented, project-based learning and “flipping the classroom”. As a result, differences between the more traditional off-campus and on-campus cohorts are becoming increasingly blurred.