DELTA Story
Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA) was established as a division of the Provost’s office in July 2000. The founding vision for DELTA was that technology for teaching and learning and outreach through distance education would play an increasingly important role in NC State’s academic mission. That vision was affirmed by the state’s legislators in 1998 when they enacted a law funding distance education equally with on-campus classroom instruction. Provost Kermit Hall recognized that combining and mutually leveraging the university’s strengths and expertise in distance education and learning technologies would move NC State forward in both of these related areas most effectively – better serving our faculty and students, and making the academic programs of our university more accessible to the state and to the world through expanded distance education initiatives
DELTA was initially staffed by reallocation of positions from Continuing Studies (Distance Education), the Information Technology Division and the Libraries (Learning Technology Service), and the College of Engineering (Video Communications Services). Dr. Tom Miller served as interim Vice Provost for DELTA from July to December of 2000, and was appointed to the permanent position of Vice Provost effective January 1, 2001, after a national search.
Today, DELTA's role within the Office of the Provost is to foster the integration and support of learning technologies in NC State's academic programs, both on the campus and at a distance. DELTA coordinates the funding and production of all distance-based credit programs and courses for the university, and promotes the quality of education by extending the reach of the faculty, collaboratively applying expertise in technology and pedagogy in an efficient, effective, and service-oriented environment. DELTA manages the university's learning technology infrastructure, including WolfWare, an in-house developed course management system, Vista, an enterprise learning management system; Elluminate, a tool for synchronous online teaching and learning, and several campus video classrooms. DELTA offers various programs and services that provide training, support and resources for teaching and learning with technology. These services may range from developing and/or funding distance education courses and programs, to creating technology resources for face-to-face instruction, to working with the colleges to create specialized, technology-delivered education programs in support of critical constituencies in our state, such as the US military.
In Fall 2006, DELTA reorganized its staff into five units under the Vice Provost: Distance Education Planning and Development, Instructional Services, Information Technology, and Marketing and Partnership Development, and the DELTA Business Office.
DELTA is committed to:
- Quality service
- High-quality production and products
- Responsible management of technology
- Access to education
- Improved teaching and learning
