MY REFLECTION ON DISTANCE EDUCATION

The Definition:

Distance education is planned learning that normally occurs in a different place from teaching. It requires special course design and instruction techniques, communication through various technologies and special organizational and administrative arrangements.

In Simple Terms

Learning and teaching.

Learning that is planned and not accidental.

Learning is normally from a different place from teaching.

Communication is done through various technologies.

Distance Education – WHY ??

Increasing access to learning and training opportunities.

Improving the cost effectiveness of educational resources.

Improving the quality of existing educational structures.

Balancing inequalities between age groups.

Providing emergency training for key target groups.

Adding an international dimension to the educational groups.

And many more..

Levels of Distance Education

Single Mode Institutions.

Dual Mode Institutions.

Individual Teachers.

Virtual Universities and Consortia.

A conceptual model of Distance Education

“A distance education system consists of all components, processes that operate when teaching and learning in

distance occurs”

Reference: Distance Education : A systems view by M. Moore and G. Kearsly – Chapter 1 P10

How it looks when in practice – What needs to be there ?

A source of knowledge that is to be taught and learned.

A subsystem to structure this into materials and activities for students.

A subsystem that delivers the courses to learners.

Teachers who interacts with learners as they use these materials in making their learning.

Learners in their different learning environments.

A Subsystem for monitoring and evaluating.

An organization with policy and management structure which is capable of linking these pieces.

Components of Distance Education

Sources of Knowledge:

The sources of the content to be taught and the responsibility for deciding what will be taught in an educational program is that of the organization providing the program. This may be a single or dual mode institution like a university, college, school, government department, voluntary agency, a single professor, teacher etc.

Design of Courses:

In a course, the content is organized into a carefully designed structure that is intended to make it as easy as possible for the student to learn.

Components of Distance Education contd.

Delivery of Course Material and Interaction via Technologies:

In all education there has to be communication between a teaching organization and a learner. In distance education this communication takes place through some form of technology. The most famous technology is the internet. There are other technologies as printed media, CD-ROMs, audio and videotapes/discs, radio and television, computer software and audio-video conferencing.

Management and Administration:

Managers are responsible for all the subsystems that lead to the design, delivery and implementation of the program. A distance education requires a considerable degree of management sophistication almost certainly more than any other educational field.

A systems view

Reference: Distance Education : A systems view by M. Moore and G. Kearsly – Chapter 1 P14

The General Model – Content Sources

Organization.

Individual.

Dual.

Single.

Consortia.

Manage contents experts.

Deciding what to teach.

Assessments.

The General Model – Course Design

Course Team.

Contents specialists.

Instructional designer.

Graphic designer.

Web producer.

Audio/video producer.

Course team manager.

The General Model – Delivery

Media.

Text: This is distributed in books and study guides and electronically online.

Sound: This is distributed on compact discs (CDs), in audiotapes, by telephone as well as online.

Images: Visual images are distributed in books and other forms of paper technologies on CDs in videotapes, broadcast and online.

Artifact: An object made by human being.

Technology.

Recorded.

Print/Online

Audio: CD/Tape/Online

Video: CD/Tape/Online

The General Model – Delivery contd.

Broadcast.

Audio: Radio.

Video: Television.

Interactive.

Audio conference.

Video conference.

Satellite/cable.

Desktop.

Computer/Internet/WWW.

The General Model – Interactions

Instructors.

Counselors.

Administrative staff.

Librarians.

Learning.

Center/Site.

Coordinators.

Other students.

The General Model – Learning Environment

Workplace.

Classroom.

Learning center.

Travelling.

The General Model – Management

Resources.

Allocation.

Administration.

Personal.

Recruiting.

Training.

Control.

Monitoring.

Evaluation

Policy.

In terms of Input and Output

Input. Students characteristics including knowing how to study at a distance.

Instructors experience on distance learning.

Understanding of administrative staff about distance learners.

Quality of course design skills.

Quality of course production.

Cost of course design and production.

Technology chosen for the course.

Accessibility of supportive services.

Frequency and quality of evaluation data.

Financial investments.

In terms of Input and Output contd.

Output.

Students satisfaction.

Students achievement scores.

Students completion rates.

Total enrollments.

Quality assessments.

Accreditation results.

Tuition and other revenue.

Staff reputation and turnover.

Thank You.