The Maui Community College purpose of this distance education project is to establish and transport science, computer, and electronics technology curricula to rural minority students through interactive teleclass lectures and simulated multi-media laboratory experiences. The first stage of the project encompasses the development of multimedia instructional materials for a model Certificate and Associate in Science Degree curriculum in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET). The program is cooperatively designed to provide for technical certification and/or transfer opportunities to baccalaureate degree programs at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa or distance education offerings at the Maui Research and Technology Center from the University of New Mexico. The second stage focuses on developing multi-media laboratory exercises for the ECET curriculum in a format transportable to outreach by reducing dependence on costly laboratory equipment and faculty travel. This innovative format utilizes simulated lab experiments by developing, purchasing, and integrating multi-media software for CAI workstations. The ECET program is to be field-tested on the main campus and then extended to the college outreach centers, and will formally recruit students from MCC's densely-populated Pacific Island and Asian community. The third stage is the extension of the simulated methodology to other science and mathematics courses at the college. The final stage involves teacher and faculty enhancement. Effectiveness of this approach is to be demonstrated through scheduled workshops for other college instructors state-wide and to secondary school teachers; and the project results disseminated on a national level.
