Distance Learning in Education

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Distance Learning in Education

• Brendan Awerbuch, Erin Mayer, Joshua Benn, Julie
  Mizak

2
What Will Be Discussed

• What Forms are Used
• A More In Depth Look at Online Classrooms
• How Effective They Are
• Feelings and Reactions

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Different Forms

• Compressed Videos
• Audio Teleconferencing
• Electronic Classrooms
• Broadcast/ Telecourses

4
Online Classrooms

• Course Development Applications (Blackboard,
  WebCT)
• Requirements
• Computer
• Internet Web Browser

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What Blackboard Can Do For You

• Announcements
• Course Information
• Staff Information
• Course Documents
• Assignments
• Communication
• External Links
• Student Tools

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Effectiveness of Distance Learning

• Distance Learning VS. Traditional Learning
• Studies have shown that the results in students
  are very similar between both.
• Students satifaction is higher in distance
  learning compared with traditional learning.

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• "A portion of an Army resident course was
  converted for distance study via
  computer-mediated communication (CMC). Students
  and instructors communicated with each other
  using computers at home, thus creating an
  "electronic classroom." Test scores, completion
  rates, student perceptions and costs were
  compared to resident training. Results showed CMC
  performance is no different than resident, and
  completion rates and costs are less than resident
  instruction. "
• Phelps, Ruth Wells, Rosalie A. Ashworth Jr.,
  Robert L. Hahn, Heidi A. Effectiveness and
  Costs of Distance Education Using
  Computer-Mediated Communication

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Reactions to Distance Learning

• Table 1. Student Reactions to Taking an Internet
  Based Course
• Would do again Yes 8 out of 10 respondents
• Time required Same as classroom 2 out of 10
  respondents More than classroom 8 out of 10
  respondents
• Was class worthwhile Yes 10 out of 10
  respondents
• The GSM Chronicle, Vol. 13, No. 2, p. 4-5.
  
• Kroder, Stan et al. "Lessons in Launching Web
  Based Graduate Courses." T.H.E. Journal, May,
  1998.
• Much, Marilyn. "More of Firms' Students Earn
  Degree Online." Investor's Business Daily, Oct.
  19, 1998, A43.
• Kroder, Stanley and Robert Lynch. 1997. "Learning
  From a Distance."

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Reactions - Problems

• Some initial skepticism among teachers and new
  students.
• Face-to-face contact with teachers will be lost
  and cannot be regenerated through a computer
• Computer/Network Crashes

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Reactions - Strengths

• Go where the students are
• Flexible time
• Easy for commuter students, or students with a
  full time job
• This generation is comfortable with computers

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Thanks for Listening!

• We hope you have learned something new.