Distance learning and continuing education don't exactly lead to polite conversation among UW faculty, or at any American university, for that matter.
But it's different when Stephen Kerr, associate dean for academic programs at the UW College of Education, is leading the discussion. According to colleagues and former students, Kerr has the rare ability to bring up the topic of distance learning — and change a few minds about it — without antagonizing his audience.
"He is never confrontational. He always participates in the discussion and provides insight into the topic without getting into an argument," said Cliff Solomon, an affiliate instructor with the UW College of Education and a former student of Kerr. "He firmly believes that online learning is a valuable learning experience."
"He has been very effective in getting the University to recognize the value of outreach and distance learning as being equal in quality and value as regular classes," said Bill Winn, a professor with the College of Education. "That is very hard, and not just here, but everywhere . . . faculty feel criticized when someone comes down and says ‘here is a different way to deliver your classes.'"
Kerr received this year's Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning award because of his leadership in distance learning and outreach programs at the College of Education and UW Extension. The award recognizes full-time faculty who have done significant work to advance continuing education programs at the UW.
"I was extremely pleased, flattered, and surprised," Kerr said. "I knew about this award, and feel it's a very important way for the UW to recognize those who seek to make the University's work available to a wide audience in our state and community."
Kerr has built a remarkable career partly on research and advocacy of continuing education programs. He is one of the founders of the Center for Research and Development in Distance Learning, established in 1998 to collect and distribute information about successful distance learning programs, and provide support for faculty interested in the field. The center is a partnership between the College of Education and UW Educational Outreach. It resulted in a new certificate program in Distance Learning Design and Development, offered through UW Extension.
Kerr was also the evaluator for UW Extension's LAAP (Learn Anywhere Anytime Partnership) online programs in Internet technologies. This project was funded by a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create online programs in competitive Internet fields like Web design and e-business. The program led to UW partnerships with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Pearson/Prentice Hall for the distribution and marketing of those programs.
Kerr has also advocated distance learning and continuing education at the College of Education to support professional training programs for K-12 teachers.
"There are a great many really attractive possibilities here," Kerr said. "For many years, we've known that teachers are less well supplied — than, for example, doctors, lawyers, CPAs, etc. — with opportunities to create a functional, supportive culture of professional materials, cases, and ‘worked examples.' I think distance learning can help create that sort of supportive environment for teachers."
Kerr's interest in distance learning dates to the 1970s, with the rise of Open University in England. His first practical taste was with a project in Central America to provide health information over the radio. He also has extensive experience and research in international education programs, particularly in the former USSR and Russia.
This solid research background and experience make Kerr a very effective advocate for continuing education programs, according to colleagues.
"Steve is someone who considers everything very carefully. You can tell he does his research very thoroughly. It's easy for him to sum up all points of view," said Bill Corrigan, director of distance learning design at UW Educational Outreach and a former student of Kerr. "What I like about Steve is that when he speaks, he speaks with a quiet voice and draws people into listening to what he has to say."
