The University of Houston Embraces Hybrid Instruction
Reflections and Future Projections
The use of IVT allows experts to communicate with those in underserved urban or rural areas and to provide a wide range of service and benefits. In the medical field, use of IVT equipment is traditionally referred to as "telemedicine" and its use is expected to grow by 40% from 2000 to 2010 (Mun, Jha, Levine, & Duk-Woo Ro, 2000).
According to Lozada (1997), in 1997 there were over 1,000 educational institutions in the United States offering some type of distance learning programs and by the year 2007 experts estimate that 50% of students enrolled in higher education courses will take classes enhanced by or completely taught through distance education (Kascus, 1994).
When considering the sky-rocketing rate of the identification of children with autism, their characteristics and needs, it is clear that those who currently possess knowledge and expertise in this area are going to continue to be in great demand. Children with autism display unique characteristics that require specific training and abilities for those who choose to work with them. As the demand for expertise in the field of autism increases, university collaboration with private organizations such as the ATC can provide considerable enhancement across programs which is greatly increased via the use of IVT.