Chapter 5 -- Knowledge TV: An Entrepreneurial Approach

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The Beginnings

Knowledge TV began as a basic cable television channel designed for low-cost education and information delivery. Today the network's programming focuses primarily on for-credit, college-level telecourses in science, fine arts, English, mathematics, foreign languages, health care, general business, computing and the Internet.

How it Works

Knowledge TV is distributed via satellite, broadcast, cable and the Internet. Courses can be videotaped for viewing at convenient times. Pre-recorded videocassettes also are available.
Attendance is a matter of personal scheduling. Courses normally run for a quarter or a semester, similar to on-campus classes. Instructor contact is through telephone, mail, e-mail, and teleconferences.

A Public Private Partnership

Knowledge TV is a public private partnership. The public partners are more than 30 U.S. universities, community colleges and other education providers. Knowledge TV electronically distributes these institutions' degree programs throughout the United States and internationally. Knowledge TV is a private, entrepreneurial effort.

Jones Education Company's Cyberfamily

Jones has created two new on-line higher education institutions: International University (IU) and International Community College (ICC). They operate primarily in cyberspace; the video components of courses are delivered through Knowledge TV.
IU offers a masters degree program in Business Communications. It intends to launch a bachelor's degree program in the same discipline and certificates of specialization in several business and communications-related areas.
ICC premiered in 1996 with its first telecourse: "The Emerging Learner." The course is skills-oriented and helps students become successful distance learners.

What's Next for Knowledge TV

Knowledge TV will continue to extend its reach internationally. New technologies such as cable modems will help expand Knowledge TV's delivery methods.
Knowledge TV's approach to higher education will continue to be one of augmentation, not replacement of existing higher education institutions. Knowledge TV delivers university-level education, it does not create it.

Also in this chapter

Television's impact on distance education;

Charts on cost comparisons between Knowledge TV and traditional universities and community colleges;

Statistics on part-time higher education students;

Statistics on global student dropout rates;

The primary and secondary school dilemma;

Global information highway building;

The need for distance education.