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The program for this conference was structured around sub-sessions focusing on particular themes. This paper was part of the fourth theme: ‘IT in vocational education and training’. Many working adults without a baccalaureate degree are denied access to responsible workplace positions and frequently have limited opportunities for career advancement. These limitations are especially significant for adults working in remote or rural areas. These workers face issues such as lack of availability of higher education, many family obligations, and constraints of time and finances which keep them trapped in their current occupational situation. To provide opportunities for working adults, a degree program was developed in the Department of Vocational and Adult Education at the University of Arkansas in the United States (USA). Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science in Education in vocational education with a human resource development concentration. The purpose of the evaluation was to determine student perception of the effectiveness of a multiple site distance education program. The distance education process, program incentives and barriers, class structure and the application of course content were evaluated. Students reported a positive experience with distance education and while many were apprehensive at first, most began to like the process after a few classes and preferred it to traditional classes. Evening and weekend scheduling was the greatest incentive to participation in the program while lack of access to the advisor or instructor was the greatest barrier.

Published abstract with additional information.

The volume of collected papers is indexed at TD/TNC 62.1016. Show less