ECE-Online History
The University of Florida (UF) is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive university in the state of Florida and has provided the educational leadership and direction to the State University System (SUS) since 1853. In accordance the steadily increasing demands for higher education in the state of Florida, the State University System (SUS) has been adding entire institutions at strategic geographical locations throughout the state. However solely adding institutions is not the best solution. The distant education and information technology-based programs are seen as powerful alternatives for future education. The University of Florida is going one more step to take the lead to promote ALN as an important component in the emerging and on-going distant learning education projects in the state of Florida. ALN and information technology-enhanced learning are used for both on-campus as well as off-campus students via the Internet based technology.The College of Engineering has been offering courses for the off-campus students for more than 15 years via the Florida Engineering Education Delivery System (FEEDS) which is the statewide initiative supported by the college of Engineering in the State University System. FEEDS has successfully met the growing needs of Florida industries for quality graduate programs and extended studies in Engineering. FEEDS already has the required infrastructure to enable working students anywhere in the State of Florida to earn a graduate Engineering Degree or to take credit courses for Professional Development, with courses originating from any participating Florida SUS University. FEEDS is based primary on videotape materials and courier delivery of printed material to and from the universities. The college of engineering has had a strong interest in serving off campus students, as is evidenced by FEEDS. ALN has been introduced to enhance the efficiency of distant education program via the Internet.