Distance LearningDistance Learning

CECS 4100CECS 4100

Chapter 7 IETTChapter 7 IETT

What is Distance Learning? What is Distance Learning? (One definition)(One definition)

“…“…the acquisition of knowledge and the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and skills through mediated information and instruction, encompassing all instruction, encompassing all technologies and other forms of learning technologies and other forms of learning at a distance.”at a distance.”

United States Distance Learning Association (1998)United States Distance Learning Association (1998)

TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

Communication over time and/or Communication over time and/or distancedistance

Linking people for communications Linking people for communications purposespurposes

Telecomputing - activities in which Telecomputing - activities in which classroom computers link groups with classroom computers link groups with each other and with educational each other and with educational resourcesresources

Distance Learning: Distance Learning: Past, Present and FuturePast, Present and Future

Past: rationale was for access to Past: rationale was for access to students and cost-savings to students and cost-savings to organizationorganization– Correspondence coursesCorrespondence courses– Print materials supplemented with Print materials supplemented with

videotapes and instructional TVvideotapes and instructional TV

Distance Learning: Distance Learning: Past, Present and FuturePast, Present and Future

Present: rationale is increase student Present: rationale is increase student access to information and peopleaccess to information and people

Competition for the “education dollar”Competition for the “education dollar” Development of courses and degree Development of courses and degree

programs students can complete programs students can complete without entering a formal classroom or without entering a formal classroom or seeing a live instructorseeing a live instructor

Distance Learning: Distance Learning: Past, Present and FuturePast, Present and Future

Future: rationale may likely focus on Future: rationale may likely focus on making learning environments making learning environments increasingly life-likeincreasingly life-like

Interactive video-and-audio and virtual Interactive video-and-audio and virtual reality systems that allow people to reality systems that allow people to exchange information as if they were in exchange information as if they were in the same locationthe same location

Current Distance Learning Current Distance Learning Configurations and ApplicationsConfigurations and Applications

Broadcast/terrestrialBroadcast/terrestrial Computer-basedComputer-based Hybrid of the twoHybrid of the two

Broadcast/Terrestrial SystemsBroadcast/Terrestrial Systems

Broadcast technologies that use Broadcast technologies that use satellite links or microwaves to send satellite links or microwaves to send videovideo

Terrestrial (land) lines such as Terrestrial (land) lines such as telephone lines, cable lines and others telephone lines, cable lines and others to send audio and/or videoto send audio and/or video

Combinations of broadcast and Combinations of broadcast and terrestrial systemsterrestrial systems

Computer-based SystemsComputer-based Systems

Microcomputers with links made Microcomputers with links made possible through modems, network possible through modems, network connections from schools or districtsconnections from schools or districts

Hybrid SystemsHybrid Systems Written communication (email) Written communication (email)

– most common use of the Internetmost common use of the Internet Video instruction Video instruction

– Scheduled video courses and workshopsScheduled video courses and workshops– Range from one-way video to fully Range from one-way video to fully

interactive simulations of face-to-faceinteractive simulations of face-to-face TeleconferencesTeleconferences

– Live events that simulate meetings or Live events that simulate meetings or conferencesconferences

Hybrid Systems (con’t)Hybrid Systems (con’t)

VideoconferencesVideoconferences– Allows live interaction among users at Allows live interaction among users at

various distant sitesvarious distant sites– Used for delivery of courses or for Used for delivery of courses or for

intermittent communicationsintermittent communications Internet ActivitiesInternet Activities

– Current resources that include full-text Current resources that include full-text documents, graphics, motion and sounddocuments, graphics, motion and sound

Implementation of DLImplementation of DL

60% of all U.S. post-secondary 60% of all U.S. post-secondary institutions offer distance learning institutions offer distance learning courses (as of 1998)courses (as of 1998)

Virtual High Schools are appearing Virtual High Schools are appearing – Allen HS is one of the virtual high schools Allen HS is one of the virtual high schools

in the U.S.in the U.S.– http://aisd2.allen.k12.tx.us/schools.htm http://aisd2.allen.k12.tx.us/schools.htm

(Choose HS, Technology, VHS)(Choose HS, Technology, VHS)

Implementation IssuesImplementation Issues

Impact on education reform (positive Impact on education reform (positive and negative)and negative)

Reform of top-level policy/planningReform of top-level policy/planning Costs and fundingCosts and funding Infrastructure and policy needsInfrastructure and policy needs Teacher involvement and trainingTeacher involvement and training

Implementation Issue (con’t)Implementation Issue (con’t)

Communications innovationsCommunications innovations Rapidly changing technologiesRapidly changing technologies Logistical problemsLogistical problems School-level administrative supportSchool-level administrative support

Present and Potential ImpactPresent and Potential Impact

Effectiveness for course deliveryEffectiveness for course delivery– Some research has shown equivalent on Some research has shown equivalent on

achievement and attitudes of studentsachievement and attitudes of students Results should depend on quality of Results should depend on quality of

course rather than delivery methodcourse rather than delivery method

Course Characteristics that Course Characteristics that Affect SuccessAffect Success

Degree of interactionDegree of interaction– Satisfaction = amount of interaction Satisfaction = amount of interaction

between instructor and studentsbetween instructor and students– Recommended face-to-face meeting for Recommended face-to-face meeting for

first class to establish rapport and lead to first class to establish rapport and lead to better interactionbetter interaction

Support during courseSupport during course– Lack of library resourcesLack of library resources– Slow transfer of paperworkSlow transfer of paperwork– Timely responses of instructorTimely responses of instructor

Course Characteristics that Course Characteristics that Affect Success (con’t)Affect Success (con’t)

Technical problemsTechnical problems– Can doom the best-planned courseCan doom the best-planned course– Successful courses minimize problemsSuccessful courses minimize problems

Characteristics of people who choose Characteristics of people who choose distance learningdistance learning– Typical in past - working adults 25-50 yrs old, Typical in past - working adults 25-50 yrs old,

married and employed FTmarried and employed FTCurrently - more mainstream students, Currently - more mainstream students, younger and full time studentsyounger and full time students

Course Characteristics that Course Characteristics that Affect Success (con’t)Affect Success (con’t)

Characteristics of effective instructorsCharacteristics of effective instructors– Experience with DL environmentsExperience with DL environments– Course planning and organization that Course planning and organization that

capitalize on DL strengthscapitalize on DL strengths– Ability to use questioning strategiesAbility to use questioning strategies– Ability to involve and coordinate student Ability to involve and coordinate student

activities at multiple sitesactivities at multiple sites– (Few faculty are willing to learn these new (Few faculty are willing to learn these new

skills required for DL due to more work and skills required for DL due to more work and no reward)no reward)

Recommendations for Recommendations for DL IntegrationDL Integration

Use a “learner-centered” approach to Use a “learner-centered” approach to address:address:– Building rapportBuilding rapport– Decreasing isolationDecreasing isolation– Enhancing interactionEnhancing interaction

See Wolcott’s Matrix of Strategies for See Wolcott’s Matrix of Strategies for Minimizing Psychological Distance in Minimizing Psychological Distance in Distance Learning Courses (p. 202)Distance Learning Courses (p. 202)