a bold experiment in boundary-less education sma: the singapore mit alliance internet2 conference...
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A Bold Experiment in Boundary-less Education
SMA: The Singapore MIT Alliance http://web.mit.edu/sma/
Internet2 Conference March 18, 2004
M.S. Vijay Kumar Assistant Provost & Director of Academic Computing
David MycuePrincipal Strategist, AMPS
The Singapore-MIT Alliance
• Joint effort between MIT, the National University of Singapore, and Nanyang Technological University
• Combines distance-learning with traditional on-campus learning
• Provides advanced engineering degrees that are highly collaborative– Between schools– Between disciplines
The SMA Program
• July 1999– Advanced Materials– High Performance Computation for Engineered
Systems
• July 2000– Innovation in Manufacturing Systems and Technology
• July 2001– Computer Science– Materials Science and Management
SMA Synchronous Delivery
• Live lecture format
• T.120 application sharing
• PowerPoint & PDF primary presentation tools
• Internet2
• Control Room– Videoconferencing codec– Near broadcast-quality production system
• Technical Support
Asynchronous Elements
• Central websiteAllows for easy access control and organization of
content
• Course materials include streamed video lectures, homework assignments, lecture notes, readings
Delivery is primarily Synchronous; On-demand streaming as backup and reference for
students
SMA - Context of MIT Education
• Extends MIT’s Value Proposition– High b/w of Interaction between excellent Faculty
and Students– Research-Teaching – Laboratory Experience (iLab)Truly interactive synchronous education involving
MIT and Singapore students
Phase 1: Can we provide MIT-class education at a distance?
SMA: Yes!
SMA - Context of MIT Education
Influencing Infrastructure for Education
– Level 5 Classroom
– Research Interaction Facilities
– Campus Network
– Stellar
– New Tools (Sympodium lectern, techcheck)
– Extended community service Considerations
Directions for Technology-Enabled Education (MITCET)
The visions cluster around two goals:
• Improve the experience “at home”
– Enhance the core educational experience
– Meet the lifelong learning needs of MIT students
– Create flexible ways to pursue educational and research excellence
– Engage and strengthen the MIT community
• Expand MIT’s reach and influence
– Expand MIT education globally to top-tier students
– Offer MIT education and training to corporate partners
– Create educational offerings for the mass market
Ahead: SMA-2
• 5 Graduate Engineering ProgramsAddition of a Biological Engineering program
• More PhDs; Fewer Masters of Engineering
• Dual admission and Dual Degree for Masters– MIT-Singapore (NUS/NTU)
SMA-1 students do not get an MIT degree
– 1 semester MIT Residency
• More Research and Collaboration
“Revolutionizing the Concept of Distance Learning”