 | The University of Virginia record March 15, 1931 |  |
I. Extension Teaching
The work of the Bureau of Extension Teaching is divided into formal
and informal instruction. FORMAL INSTRUCTION includes Extension
courses offered for credit towards a University degree. Only the equivalent
of courses offered in residence are given for credit in Extension. Prerequisites
and general requirements are the same for Extension credit courses
as for courses in residence. In every way possible, the work is made the
equal of that offered at the University.
Students and Fees.—Fifteen or more qualified students are usually required
for a credit class, although under certain circumstances a class may
be organized for a smaller number, as, for example, when a very advanced
course is desired. The usual student class fee is $12.00.
Subjects Offered in Extension Credit Courses.—Cultural courses are emphasized
by the Division but at the same time student participation in the
choice of subject is encouraged. Courses requiring laboratory work, with a
single exception, are not offered for credit in Extension.
Geographical Limitations: In so far as possible the Division will organize
and conduct an Extension class whenever and wherever in this state the
University can in many respects be overcome as explained below.
Coöperation With Other Virginia Colleges.—The University with its
resident faculty cannot alone meet all of the requests for University Extension
credit courses. Rather than attempt to employ a special Extension
faculty of its own, it has asked the coöperation of other higher educational
institutions in Virginia to assist in taking this form of instruction to the
people of the state. The University is responsible for administrative procedure
and general supervision while the several colleges and universities assist in
providing instruction. A more satisfactory geographical distribution of
Extension instructors results.
The universities and colleges now coöperating with the Extension Division,
in the order in which coöperative agreements were made, are as follows:
Roanoke College, Washington and Lee University, Farmville State
Teachers College, Harrisonburg State Teachers College, Fredericksburg
State Teachers College, Randolph-Macon College, Sweet Briar College, Randolph-Macon
Woman's College, Hampden-Sydney College, Lynchburg College,
Emory and Henry College, Radford State Teachers College, William
and Mary College, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
The hearty coöperation of the administrations and faculties of these
institutions is recognized and is sincerely appreciated by the University of
Virginia. The ultimate purposes of the Extension program can, it appears, be
more effectively and generally realized by this coöperative plan than by any
other possible at this time.
Extension Teaching Centers.—The Extension Division maintains, in
addition to offices at the University, local offices in centers in the state from
which the work in the cities or sections represented can best be carried forward.
These centers with addresses are as follows:
Richmond Center, Franklin and Shafer Streets, Richmond.
Roanoke Center, Boxley Building, Roanoke.
Lynchburg Center, E. C. Glass High School, Lynchburg.
Petersburg Center, Chamber of Commerce Building, Petersburg.
INFORMAL INSTRUCTION is carried forward principally by two
methods: Conference or lecture courses and home study (correspondence)
courses. Neither method leads to credit towards University degrees.
Conference or Lecture Courses bring together outstanding teachers and
mature men and women who are interested in discussing and studying together,
usually formally, some subject or problem. The Division's interest is,
as with credit courses, in cultural subjects although opportunity for student
choice of subject is furnished. These courses are valuable in reaching on a
high level many adults who are not interested in a form of instruction developed
especially for college youth and designed to give the student academic
credit.
Conferences or lectures in such courses are usually from six to fifteen in
number and at weekly intervals. Organizational requirements as to numbers,
demands or conditions under which each course is conducted.
Home Study, or correspondence instruction, represents the Division's
latest venture in adult educational methods. The method is introduced in an
effort to discover some satisfactory plan for offering educational guidance of
a high order to many isolated men and women—on the farm, in the small
town or in cities where needs are not otherwise met. Work by the method
is frankly experimental. It was begun in 1929. If after three years the
method proves to be ineffective or inadequate, an effort will be made to find
a satisfactory substitute.
At best home study is intelligently directed study. Student initiative is
at a premium and amply provided for.
Emphasis again is on purely cultural courses although courses in education
and social sciences are also included. Work in the physical sciences and
modern languages is not offered by home study. The tuition fee per course
is $15.00. Special catalogues are issued to give complete information in
regard to home study courses.
| The University of Virginia record March 15, 1931 | |