To address concerns that students in distance learning college programs may feel alienated from their peers and professors, one administrator has launched a program to keep these individuals more connected.

Inside Higher Ed reports that Douglas E. Hersh, dean of Santa Barbara City College, grew concerned that students and professors at his school were not receiving high quality online education because current internet-based learning platforms typically do not foster a great deal of audio and video interaction.

As a result, he adopted the Human Presence Learning Environment, an interface that allows professors to deliver their lectures and messages via webcam. The platform also enables students and instructors to communicate more directly using Skype and post audio responses to discussion topics.

Although the system is currently used exclusively at the college, Hersh told the news source that he would willingly give the software to other schools that wish to try it.

Similar innovations could prove beneficial to more students as the popularity of internet-based learning and online schools continues to rise. According to U.S. News and World Report, the number of students enrolled in online college degree programs has increased by nearly 20 percent over the past three years. This number includes those enrolled in associate and online bachelors degree programs.