best practices and current trends in distance learning william r. mcnutt jr., cna, mcp 20 years in...

Best Practices and Current Best Practices and Current Trends in Distance LearningTrends in Distance Learning

William R. McNutt Jr., CNA, MCP

•20 Years in Information Technology

•15 Years with UT Distance Education and Independent Study

•Infrastructure Design – PEMBA (M.B.A.)

•Technical Support Architect – W.VA. M.L.S.

•Technical Support Manager – Engineering Management (M.S.)

•mcnutt@utk.edu

What Distance Education IsWhat Distance Education Is

Learning that occurs when the learner is not local to the instructor.

Convenient to the learnerFlexibleMulti-channeledRe-usablePortable

What Distance Education is What Distance Education is NotNot

Cheap – Distance Education adds an additional layer of technology to the education process, and that costs money.

As good as bricks and mortar techniquesEffective for all learners

What does D.E. Look Like in A.E.? What does D.E. Look Like in A.E.?

Technologies– U.S. Postal Service– Video Check Out– Broadcast Video– “Static” Web Pages, or “Click to Learn”– Chat rooms and Instant Messaging– Virtual Classrooms

Administration– Cost– Logistics– Acceptance

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Benefits of DL for AE Benefits of DL for AE ProgramsPrograms

Time Saved – The ability to learn from the home or office eliminates time spent in travel for training

Cost Containment – Depending on the DE technology applied, the cost of DE can actually be less than the cost of travel

New Audience – DE does not cut into the learner base for standard training.

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Where does DE fit in AE?Where does DE fit in AE?

Professional DevelopmentAdministrative StreamliningAdult Learners

– Screening– Orientation– Accountability

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Barriers to Implementing DEBarriers to Implementing DE

CostAccess to TechnologyInstructor ResistanceAdministrative ResistanceCertification Agency Resistance Accountability

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Surmounting Cost IssuesSurmounting Cost Issues

Write specific grants Partner with other programs Partner with local business Partner with local community colleges

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Barriers to Implementing DEBarriers to Implementing DE

CostAccess to TechnologyInstructor ResistanceAdministrative ResistanceCertification Agency Resistance Accountability

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Access to TechnologyAccess to Technology

Local high schools Local military facilities Local community colleges Loaner equipment Large businesses (Beware of hidden costs)

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Barriers to Implementing DEBarriers to Implementing DE

CostAccess to TechnologyInstructor ResistanceAdministrative ResistanceCertification Agency Resistance Accountability

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Overcoming Instructor Overcoming Instructor ResistanceResistance

Bribe Them–Cash–Prestige–Extra time to plan–Better, newer equipment–Free training

Wait for them to retireMake DE a factor of the job for new hires

•mcnutt@utk.edu

Barriers to Implementing DEBarriers to Implementing DE

CostAccess to TechnologyInstructor ResistanceAdministrative ResistanceCertification Agency Resistance Accountability

•mcnutt@utk.edu

Overcoming Administrative Overcoming Administrative ObjectionsObjections

See over-coming cost Self-documenting features of many DE packages Note time saved and travel eliminated Note cost saved by portability and re-use

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Barriers to Implementing DEBarriers to Implementing DE

CostAccess to TechnologyInstructor ResistanceAdministrative ResistanceCertification Agency Resistance Accountability

•mcnutt@utk.edu

Over-Coming Agency ResistanceOver-Coming Agency Resistance

Persistence – Don’t give up Resolve accountability concerns Take advantage of automatic tracking features Maintain logs Start with small pilots

•mcnutt@utk.edu

Barriers to Implementing DEBarriers to Implementing DE

CostAccess to TechnologyInstructor ResistanceAdministrative ResistanceCertification Agency Resistance Accountability

•mcnutt@utk.edu

Resolving Accountability Resolving Accountability ConcernsConcerns

Self-reporting Averaging In person check-ins Telephone check-ins  Proctoring

– Local high school guidance councilors– Military education officers– Local community colleges– Churches

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The US Postal ServiceThe US Postal Service

Old Fashioned CorrespondenceCheapLargest ReachRequires no additional technological

resourcesRequires minimal level of literacy

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Video Tape CheckoutVideo Tape Checkout

Can be done through the mailMinimal administrative costsRequires minimal access to technologyWorks with lower levels of literacyLow cost content is available

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Broadcast VideoBroadcast Video

Free air-time is often availableSome content is available cheaply or for

freeNot flexible for time slotsCan be an administrative headacheOften requires technical skills or special

training that can be time consuming

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The Learning ManagerThe Learning Manager

Multiple resources collected under a single interface to simplify the distance learning experience for both the instructor and the learner.

Very aggressively priced

Web-based directed learning environment designed to simplify putting course content on the internet.

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Centra ConferenceCentra Conference

Shared Whiteboard Aggressively priced for lease

Real-time interaction Minimal bandwidth Two-way audio Synchronized Slide Presentation

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