2001 - Volume 2 - Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics

INJ DEPARTMENTS
THE NONWOVEN
WEB
12 INJ Summer 2001
Distance Learning
It used to be that a remote location precluded
a number of activities for a person
who was so unfortunate. An opportunity
to study and continue one’s education
was certainly one of those factors
that had to be sacrificed. No More!!!
If the men and women serving in the
U.S. Navy aboard a ship at sea anywhere
in the world can continue their graduate
education, location is no longer an insurmountable
barrier. The solution is what
is referred to as “Distance Learning.”
That is not learning about how far “far”
is, but rather it signifies learning that can
be done at virtually any distance from
the source of the teaching.
A growing number of universities and
colleges are beginning to offer an
expanding selection of courses that are
presented via the Internet. This arrangement
is not the same as a correspondence
course, as the student can virtually be
present in the usual class setting and
have direct and instantaneous contact
with the instructor and fellow students,
all by means of a computer terminal and
a communications link.
Many universities are working to convert
their classroom materials into a form
most suitable for this medium.
Professors and teachers are learning how
the usual teaching methods can be most
effectively converted into the cyberspace
classroom. Some adaptation of methods
and materials must be made, of course,
but the transition is being mastered.
At the government level, the Small
Business Administration (SBA) has
introduced the new SBA Small Business
Classroom, which brings electronic business
courses to anyone with a standard
Internet connection. This virtual classroom
provides interactive, easily accessible
courses on the topics most in demand
by small-business owners. Typical classes
include: “The Business Plan” (in
English and Spanish) or “How to Raise
Capital For a Small Business.” At the end
of each lesson, students can participate in
a scheduled chat room, or call a toll-free
number to talk with a counselor
(www.sba.gov and then select SBA
Classroom).
Not a part of Distance Learning, there
were recent press reports on several campuses
involving enterprising students
putting today’s lecture notes on the web
for the benefit of friends who missed the
class. Some professors objected strenuously
to this practice, even claiming that
notes from their lectures were akin to
copyrighted material. In direct contrast
to that attitude is the recent announcement
by Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) that over the next 10
years, the university will post materials
for almost all of its courses on the World
Wide Web, accessible to one and all at no
charge. Materials posted will include
course outlines, reading lists, lecture
notes and assignments.
As ambitious as this approach is (estimated
cost is $10 million per year), it is
probably not the same as getting an MIT
education for free. Unlike Distance
Learning programs, which involve regular
exchanges between faculty and students,
there will be no course credit or
degrees offered to people who access
Open-CourseWare, as it is being called.
Nevertheless, the early response to the
MIT move has been very positive. Not
only in developing countries, but in
advanced nations as well the benefits of
Distance Learning are being appreciated
and used. This activity will undoubtedly
further increase concern with the
“Digital Divide,” which separates those
who do not have access to the Internet
from those who do.
Some professional societies are
becoming involved in the process. The
Society of Dyers and Colourists in the
UK has presented a Distance Learning
module on “Principles of Engineering”
and “Coloration Theory.” Future plans
call for additional modules on Color
Physics, Colorant and Polymer
Chemistry, Coloration Technology, and
Organization and Management.
Within the nonwoven technology sector
some steps in this direction have been
SPAM VS. spam
Even a novice on the Internet is familiar with the junk E-mail that virtually
abounds on the net and goes under the name of “spam.” Such unsolicited
mail is a fact of life on the Internet and it is a rare netizen who hasn’t experienced
it.
On the other hand, there is a well-known spiced lunch meat made of pork
shoulders and ham that is known worldwide, and considered a choice delicacy in
many parts of the world. This product of Hormel Foods Corporation goes by a
brand name that is considered a very valuable piece of intellectual property —
“SPAM” registered trade mark for the meat product.
For several years Hormel fought against the use of the word “spam” to designate
the wrong kind of e-mail. They worked diligently to protect their name and
to police the mounting misuses. After this valiant effort, the company has finally
acquiesced to a compromise, as outlined on their official SPAM website
(www.spam.com/ci/ci-in.html). Hormel says it no longer objects to that other
designation, as long as it is spelled in small letters — spam, that is. However, for
this concession, they expect their trademarked product to be spelled in capital
letters — SPAM brand of meat product.
Seems like a reasonable compromise.