University Park

Teaching by television

Professor G.K. Nelson taught 'Accounting 101 Live'

Penn State Professor G. Kenneth Nelson teaching “Accounting 101 Live” on television from a studio in Mitchell Building, circa 1979. Nelson taught thousands of students this way over his 36-year career. Credit: WPSU Penn State / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State World Campus turns 25 this year. Before that, there was a different kind of remote learning at the University. Professor G. Kenneth Nelson taught “Accounting 101 Live” on television from a studio in the Michell Building, pictured here circa 1979. "G.K." as he was known, taught the class this way from 1957 until his retirement in 1986, beginning with closed-circuit broadcasts and then later airing on what was then WPSX-TV.

In "Accounting 101 Live," Nelson was able to teach hundreds of students located in multiple classrooms, at one time. An audio feedback system allowed the students to ask Nelson questions — each classroom proctor would push a button if a student had a question, which in turn would light up a panel in front of Nelson, who would then listen to the question and give his answer on the air.

The station — now WPSU at Penn State — has been dedicated to providing educational opportunities to the University community since its founding in 1965, the same year it offered its first credit class, Art History 10. 

Visit the Penn State World Campus website to find out more information about the degrees that are offered online today.

Last Updated February 7, 2023