DISTANCE LEARNING

Kari Showers

and

Heather Winters

WHAT IS DISTANCE LEARNING?! Education in which students take

academic courses by accessing information and communicating with the instructor asynchronously over a computer network

EXAMPLES OF DISTANCE LEARNING Podcasting Online classes Videoconferencing

PODCASTING Web-based audio broadcast via an RSS

feed, accessed by subscription over the Internet

Available for downloading

ONLINE CLASSES Students of all ages can participate in

education courses online Proper internet and registration is

necessary to be able to participate Course objectives are the same as

classroom objectives

EXAMPLE OF ONLINE CLASSES… Cyber School College Universities IT Schools

VIDEOCONFERENCING a teleconference conducted via

television equipment

EXAMPLE OF USING VIDEOCONFERENCING… Wilson County School in Tennessee If a subject is not taught in a certain

district, videoconferencing can be used to allow the students to take the course

Example: Math. Wilson Country School videoconferences with Watertown High School

FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL Founded in 1997 Largest online public school in the

country60,000 high school and middle school

studentsOnly 5% are full-timeNow are available at elementary level

Students taught “asynchronous learning”

Also uses web conferencing and collaboration tools

“ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING” Students log in to the course

management system Read teachers lesson plansSubmit Homework onlineE-mail, call or use online discussion boards

for help

WEB CONFERENCING AND COLLABORATION TOOL Allows teachers to give lectures Write on online interactive whiteboards Deliver PowerPoint or short video

presentations Students and Teachers can also use

instant messenger or talk “it’s an opportunity to engage with

students and teach in a synchronous way,”According to David Bass, director of

information systems and support

PROS AND CONS There are many

pros and cons of doing the distance learning

These consist of…

PROS… Flexibility

Convenience

Availability

PROS… Cost

Self-directed

Time Spent in Classroom

PROS… Accessibility

Better for some learners

No Travel Expense

PROS… Doesn’t interrupt

job or career

Geographic Location

Work at your own pace

PROS… Personal expressions

Focused on Student Responses

Meet with students from all over the world

PROS… Equality

RacialSexReligionDisability

Student participation

CONS… No one-on-one

contact

Perceptions/ Reputation

Requires new skills/technologies

CONS… No social

interaction with classmates

Making Time

Little Support

CONS… No Campus atmosphere

Requires extra timeStart computer Internet connectionSoftware programs

Budget

CONS… Adjusting to time Scheduling

Example: taking a class in a different time zone

Feelings of isolation from school

Discipline/ Self-motivatedTo do work at right times

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND… Distance learning may require more

discipline and self-discipline than traditional courses that meet face to face

Consider both advantages and disadvantages

Consider you needs:Professional prioritiesPersonal circumstances

FUTURE OF DISTANCE LEARNING! The learners and

technology will drive the future of distance learning.

SOURCES… Aranda, Natalie. "The Pros and Cons of Distance Learning."

EZine Articles. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Distance-Learning&id=248909E>.

Hansen, Randall S. "Distance Learning Pros and Cons." Quint Careers. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.quintcareers.com/distance_learning_pros-cons.html>.

 "What are the positive and negative aspects of online learning?" ELearners.com. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.elearners.com/resources/elearning-faq5.asp>."