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Distance Learning

Distance Learning. CECS 4100 Chapter 7 IETT. What is Distance Learning? (One definition). “…the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning at a distance.”

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Distance Learning

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  1. Distance Learning CECS 4100 Chapter 7 IETT

  2. What is Distance Learning? (One definition) • “…the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning at a distance.” • United States Distance Learning Association (1998)

  3. Telecommunications • Communication over time and/or distance • Linking people for communications purposes • Telecomputing - activities in which classroom computers link groups with each other and with educational resources

  4. Distance Learning: Past, Present and Future • Past: rationale was for access to students and cost-savings to organization • Correspondence courses • Print materials supplemented with videotapes and instructional TV

  5. Distance Learning: Past, Present and Future • Present: rationale is increase student access to information and people • Competition for the “education dollar” • Development of courses and degree programs students can complete without entering a formal classroom or seeing a live instructor

  6. Distance Learning: Past, Present and Future • Future: rationale may likely focus on making learning environments increasingly life-like • Interactive video-and-audio and virtual reality systems that allow people to exchange information as if they were in the same location

  7. Current Distance Learning Configurations and Applications • Broadcast/terrestrial • Computer-based • Hybrid of the two

  8. Broadcast/Terrestrial Systems • Broadcast technologies that use satellite links or microwaves to send video • Terrestrial (land) lines such as telephone lines, cable lines and others to send audio and/or video • Combinations of broadcast and terrestrial systems

  9. Computer-based Systems • Microcomputers with links made possible through modems, network connections from schools or districts

  10. Hybrid Systems • Written communication (email) • most common use of the Internet • Video instruction • Scheduled video courses and workshops • Range from one-way video to fully interactive simulations of face-to-face • Teleconferences • Live events that simulate meetings or conferences

  11. Hybrid Systems (con’t) • Videoconferences • Allows live interaction among users at various distant sites • Used for delivery of courses or for intermittent communications • Internet Activities • Current resources that include full-text documents, graphics, motion and sound

  12. Implementation of DL • 60% of all U.S. post-secondary institutions offer distance learning courses (as of 1998) • Virtual High Schools are appearing • Allen HS is one of the virtual high schools in the U.S. • http://aisd2.allen.k12.tx.us/schools.htm (Choose HS, Technology, VHS)

  13. Implementation Issues • Impact on education reform (positive and negative) • Reform of top-level policy/planning • Costs and funding • Infrastructure and policy needs • Teacher involvement and training

  14. Implementation Issue (con’t) • Communications innovations • Rapidly changing technologies • Logistical problems • School-level administrative support

  15. Present and Potential Impact • Effectiveness for course delivery • Some research has shown equivalent on achievement and attitudes of students • Results should depend on quality of course rather than delivery method

  16. Course Characteristics that Affect Success • Degree of interaction • Satisfaction = amount of interaction between instructor and students • Recommended face-to-face meeting for first class to establish rapport and lead to better interaction • Support during course • Lack of library resources • Slow transfer of paperwork • Timely responses of instructor

  17. Course Characteristics that Affect Success (con’t) • Technical problems • Can doom the best-planned course • Successful courses minimize problems • Characteristics of people who choose distance learning • Typical in past - working adults 25-50 yrs old, married and employed FTCurrently - more mainstream students, younger and full time students

  18. Course Characteristics that Affect Success (con’t) • Characteristics of effective instructors • Experience with DL environments • Course planning and organization that capitalize on DL strengths • Ability to use questioning strategies • Ability to involve and coordinate student activities at multiple sites • (Few faculty are willing to learn these new skills required for DL due to more work and no reward)

  19. Recommendations for DL Integration • Use a “learner-centered” approach to address: • Building rapport • Decreasing isolation • Enhancing interaction • See Wolcott’s Matrix of Strategies for Minimizing Psychological Distance in Distance Learning Courses (p. 202)

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