Extending the Human Mind

It was an entrepreneurial vision: Knowledge TV and its affiliates were in the business of extending the human mind. Knowledge TV is a proactive, entrepreneurial effort to empower the individual through education and, in that manner, to contribute to the conversion of information into knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

In November 1987, Knowledge TV began as a basic cable television channel designed to meet diverse needs for education, information, and instruction.

The network's programming originally focused primarily on for-credit telecourses in science, fine arts, English, mathematics, foreign languages, general business and computing. Knowledge TV's diverse college-level programming wasn't just for those working on college degrees. Anyone with cable service that provided Knowledge TV's cable channel could tune in and take advantage of well-produced, insightful educational programming from universities all over the United States. It was much like sitting in on a class for no credit: You viewed the programming but didn't receive college credit unless you met certain entrance requirements, enrolled in the course, and paid your tuition.

Similarly, an Internet-delivered course can be previewed before enrolling.


How Knowledge TV Worked

Knowledge TV was distributed to learners via satellite and cable technology. Its programming was transmitted by satellite to cable television systems, then by cable or satellite into students' homes or businesses or to libraries and school classrooms.

Originally, for college-level courses, for-credit students often used videocassette recorders to tape the class, then replayed it at their convenience. This enabled them to fit coursework into their own schedules. It also gave them the opportunity to review classes to more fully understand the topics, concepts, and instructor's points. Students who missed a lesson could call the Jones Student Support Center, and a representative would send a replacement tape immediately. That way there was as little interruption as possible in the continuity of the course.

Each month, a program schedule listing the course offerings for that period was sent to students and others who indicated interest in the telecourses (research indicated that most Knowledge TV students "previewed" or watched a course at least once before enrolling in it). Registered students received a syllabus that listed the semester's schedule of their courses. In addition, the course catalog indicated what dates a course would be offered and gave a description of the course content, credit, and cost. Courses generally began in September, January, and May, similar to the schedule a student would expect from the traditional semester structure.

As the Internet proved itself, the for-credit courses were shifted to it, and Knowledge TV's orientation moved to more generalized, but still educationally oriented, programming. It created excitement about learning and drove interested viewers to telephone numbers and Internet sites where they could become students. Its related cyber university held the world's first full graduation in cyberspace in 1998.


Where Knowledge TV's Content Originated

Knowledge TV in its original format was essentially a public-private partnership, representing the key "A" and "B" entities that are part of the Free Market Fusion process. More than 30 universities, community colleges, and other education providers across the United States broadcast distance learning courses over the channel. Knowledge TV students fulfilled part, or, in some cases, all of their degree requirements without spending time on campus.

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs offered two master's degrees to students worldwide through Knowledge TV affiliates. The Graduate School of Business Administration and the Graduate School of Public Affairs combined resources to offer the only integrated MBA and MPA program available via distance learning technology. The first 18 hours of coursework were the same for both degrees.

Knowledge TV and its College Connection® and e-education* affiliates did not hand out diplomas, however. A student graduating from the University of Delaware's hotel and restaurant bachelor's degree program via Knowledge TV or its affiliates, for example, would receive his or her degree from the University of Delaware. Knowledge TV and its affiliates were the delivery method. The university, including Jones International University*, providing the credits and degree. With the rapid migration of higher education to the Internet, Knowledge TV's technology was replaced by the bits and bytes of Internet delivery.

Paying For A Jones Knowledge Education

Next generation Web-based delivery exemplifies how public-private partnerships can bring the best of both worlds together for the benefit of the consumer — in this case, the education consumer. Students can do coursework at a lower cost than if they were attending on campus. Students using this technology, available through numerous public and private universities as well as Jones International University, pay only for their education, not for school-related transportation, housing, athletic fees, or various other costs incurred in living away from home.

** View the cost comparisons in this printable chart.

Beyond the financial savings is the saving of something equally as precious: time. While the rigors of success in a course are the same, cyber students don't have to spend time away from their jobs or families as do those who attend classes on campus.

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