Rationale and assessment of a fully asynchronous model for distance training

In April 1999, the University of Aveiro launched a Web based distance training programme, supported on a fully asynchronous model, that introduced at innovative approach to training in Portugal. In this model a mixed approach is adopted as far as the use of technologies is concerned: for the course materials a very conventional approach is used (off-the-shelf books and paper versions of most of other documentation) but communication among participants (students, professors and staff) is based on the Internet. This model has several advantages when compared with other more conventional and, also, more sophisticated (as far as the use of technology is concerned) distance education models, and has provided a very good trade-off between effectiveness and flexibility. The paper presents and discusses the rationale beyond the model adopted, identifies its main characteristics and presents the results and conclusions achieved up to now, one year after being used in a distance training programme on interactive multimedia and Internet technologies already followed by more than 250 students