Distance education: Rebottling or a new brew?

Engineering education is undergoing a significant transformation utilizing the very technology that engineers have developed. Many university engineering programs now use the Web as an integral part of both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A number are delivering "distance education" courses and programs to students who do not have face-to-face contact with any instructor. This paper reviews the educational rationale and the productivity drivers behind this trend and provides some information on related IEEE educational programs. It considers the role of professors; business issues; online course development; lifelong education; universities; electronic publishing; company training; and professional associations.