M.E. Mutlu, C.H. Aydın, “The Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Distance Education Experience in Turkey”, The Eleventh Annual Distance Education Conference, Texas A&M University, Houston-Texas, January 20-23, 2004.

1. Information Management Associate Degree Program: Mutlu
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey
Mehmet Emin
The First Internet-Based Distance Education Experience
in Turkey
Information Management Associate Degree Program
Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Program Director
[DEC2004] [Houston, USA] [January 21, 2004] [2:30 pm - 3:30 pm]

2. Facts About Anadolu University
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
The largest dual-mode university in the world (~800.000 enrolled students)
On-campus
9 Faculties
10 Vocational Colleges
9 Graduate Institutes
18 Research Centers
1 State Conservatory
Distance (8 BA – 17 Associate Degree)
Open Education Faculty
Faculty of Business Administration
Faculty of Economics

3. Distance Education System
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Provides higher education to those who otherwise would not find
opportunity to get in any higher education institution
Accumulated content and expertise in the field
Relies mostly on traditional (one-way) technologies (print,
video-TV, face to face, tutorials) in old programs
Uses interactive computer and communication technologies
in new programs
Receives extremely modest financial support from state
Requires less than 100$ tuition for a year from
students

4. Course Materials and Student Support
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
350 textbooks
4300 television programs
370 radio programs
numerous web sites for courses
84 offices in 77 cities (335 staff)
evening classes in 56 provinces

5. Student Profile
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
75 % with low income
30 % resident in villages and small towns
78 % working
62 % over 24 years old
45 % married
40 % female
2.8 % disabled

6. Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Information Management Associate Degree Program
Information Management:
Internet-Based Associate Degree Program

7. Facts
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Started in fall 2001 with 189 students
83 students graduated in Spring 2003
Currently 139 freshman and 119 sophomore students enrolled
70% of students’ first higher education experience
Others either graduates or students of various programs
54% of students are male
Average age is 26

8. Purpose
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Helping students …
gain the necessary skills to use required business software
effectively and efficiently,
acquire the concepts and experience of the information
management in business,
attain the collaborative working experience and institutional
communication on the Internet environment, and
get hold of necessary experience for the enterprise and
management of the Internet environment.

9. First Year: Business Experience
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Students …
play different roles in Business
gain the experience needed to solve information problems in
Business by using new software with a various number of
applications
can transfer their acquired skills to similar situations

10. First Year: Courses
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Introduction to Information Systems
Operating Systems
Desktop Publishing
Spreadsheets
Institutional Communication and Working Collaboratively
Multimedia Applications
English

11. Second Year: Teamwork
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Each group has its own portal and the assignments are done
via teamwork
Improvement of students’ skills with various Internet
applications
Improved skill in use of new software in Enterprise Information
Management

12. Second Year: Courses
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Enterprise Information Management
Planning & Control Tools
Internet Information Services
Database Management Systems
Advertisement & Marketing Tools
Graphics Programs Applications
Developing Office Applications
Ataturk’s Principles & History of Turkish Revolutions
Turkish Language

13. Registration
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Online or Anadolu University Offices
The IM Program Guide
Course Materials
web sites and tools
original software
textbooks
video CDs

14. Instructional Process
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Students …
Study the materials
Complete weekly assignments
Work in teams in their team-portals (only sophomore)
Interact with facilitators via online tools
55 facilitators (academic advisors)
5-10 facilitator for each course
daily 4 hours synchronous (chat and discussion)
communication for each course
unlimited asynchronous (email) communication

15. Student Support
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Students …
Interact with course coordinators via online tools
5/8 hours in general
7/16 hours with one of them
Interact with administrators via online tools 5/16 hours
Access technical support staff via online tools and phone 5/8
hours
Access administrative support staff via online tools and phone 5/8
hours
Participate to Cyber Café 7/24 for social support

16. Students’ Achievement
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Students …
Weekly assignments
Midterm and Final Tests
face to face
on Weekends
in 11 provinces
multiple-choice tests

17. Problems and Lessons Learned
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Problems
Not enough time to interact with facilitators
Microsoft Certificate at the end of the program
Lessons
Target ones who have already jobs and no time or opportunity to
join a traditional on-campus programs
Not many assignments but enough number to help students
acquire the knowledge and skills
Interaction with facilitators after work hours

18. Further Information
Information Management Associate Degree Program: The First Internet-Based Degree Program in Turkey Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Mehmet Emin Mutlu
Program Director
memutlu@anadolu.edu.tr
http://bilgi.anadolu.edu.tr/