The Potential of Distance Learning in Aerobiology

Aeroibologists have committed to making a concerted effort to examine their discipline in the years leading to the 2002 International Congress on Aerobiology. We have targeted education issues in aerobiology as a paramount area for discussion, agreeing that if aerobiology is to remain a productive science, we need to continue to attract high quality new researchers. However, our capacity as a group to educate scientists is limited by our small numbers, wide geographical distribution, and the tremendous breadth of our discipline. This paper launches a discussion about the potential of using distance learning in aerobiology to overcome these constraints. It presents a discussion of distance learning approaches, how we might organize distance learning under the auspices of the International Aerobiology Association, the development of distance learning courses, and how aerobiology students might incorporate distance learning into their traditional university curricula.