Distance Learning

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)

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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

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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

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Hybrid Systems (cont)

• 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

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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)

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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

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Implementation Issue (cont)

• Communications innovations
• Rapidly changing technologies
• Logistical problems
• School-level administrative support

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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

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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

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Course Characteristics that Affect Success (cont)

• 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

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Course Characteristics that Affect Success (cont)

• 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)

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Recommendations for DL Integration

• Use a learner-centered approach to address
• Building rapport
• Decreasing isolation
• Enhancing interaction
• See Wolcotts Matrix of Strategies for Minimizing
  Psychological Distance in Distance Learning
  Courses (p. 202)