Distance Learning Cultural Connections, Shared Learning Space, and other Disadvantages and Advantages

Distance learning allows a single class to have a diverse geographical makeup Children can experience a culture they may never travel to – no commuting! With webcams, podcasts, and other forms of long-distance communication and education, children can be physically involved in learning about different cultures. Children can ask questions, get correct answers, dispel stereotypes, and experience similarities between themselves and children of other cultures Allows children to bridge geographic regions together:

Distance Learning can help children Learn Other Languages Advantages:  Children can discuss their culture first hand. Ask questions and get them answered by a peer from different region.  Multiple ways of communicating: videos, podcasts, and webcams  Children can hear the correct way to pronounce a word and understand what a word means.  “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn” Ben Franklin Disadvantages: Need to plan for time zone differences, may be difficult to set up a set time to talk Must have a computer and internet connection

Students can explore World Cultures through Art Many art museums offer a Distance Learning option where video conferencing is used to bring the museum into the classroom –The Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston both offer such a program Other museums offer virtual tours and online activities for students –The Louvre, Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the British Museum are a few that offer this

World Cultures through Art Field trips are not always possible because of budget and cost restrictions, so this virtual field trip is a great alternative Students can get up close to works of art from many different cultures Museums from across the world can be accessed Internet and video conferencing requires certain resources and may not always be reliable Photo of the Arab Museum of Modern Art - modern-art-doha-qatar/

Technology can Unify Students The use of technology in distance learning courses unifies students in different locations and of different cultures. Improvements in Internet accessibility mean that greater numbers of students can participate in distance-learning classrooms. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with others around the world. They can share their cultures in ways that would be impossible otherwise. The benefits of distance learning was recognized early on: –Pilot distance learning programs, such as a joint venture between the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee School District found that, “there was uniform consensus by the students and teachers that the program was a success.” “The students not only got the primary content provided by the Museum, but they also got the opportunity to interact and share with their peers in widely separated geographic parts of the state.” –Retrieved from:

Exposure to Other Cultures helps students Problem-Solve Students who may only be culturally conscious of their own society can expand their horizons by experiencing other cultures Increased cultural awareness leads in turn to increased problem-solving ability Students who are exposed to other cultures can utilize new and unconventional problem- solving methods by imitating other educational ideals Increased cultural awareness leads also to increased cultural sensitivity, creating intelligent, educated citizens

More Positives of Distance Learning Opportunities to create partner or sister schools in other areas of the world allow students to explore different cultures without leaving the classroom. Students can build relationships with the students of another classroom through DL. Instructors may have the opportunity to create multiple lessons with other teachers via distance learning to create a consistent interaction with the same classroom. With distance learning, students can exchange their ideas, beliefs, cultural norms, holidays, etc. with other students. This opportunity provides a climate that may broaden student perspective and create understanding of another’s culture. Through the distance learning technology, students have the opportunity to take part in collaborative communication similar to that of an in person conversation. This allows students to ask questions and receive immediate feedback. This immediate feedback my allow for collaborative student projects or presentations with students across the world!

All stock photography courtesy of morguefile.com’s free photo archive unless otherwise noted. All photographs are public domain and copyright-free. This slideshow was created by: Kristen Corcoran Lisa Kisling Marc Molnar Lisa Tanno Jacob Wiker for ETE 501: Technology Strand w/ Dr. Aries Cobb. Thanks for Reading!