Kari Showers and Heather Winters

 Education in which students take academic courses by accessing information and communicating with the instructor asynchronously over a computer network

 Podcasting  Online classes  Videoconferencing

 Web-based audio broadcast via an RSS feed, accessed by subscription over the Internet  Available for downloading

 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

 Cyber School  College Universities  IT Schools

 a teleconference conducted via television equipment

 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

 Founded in 1997  Largest online public school in the country  60,000 high school and middle school students  Only 5% are full-time  Now are available at elementary level  Students taught “asynchronous learning”  Also uses web conferencing and collaboration tools

 Students log in to the course management system  Read teachers lesson plans  Submit Homework online  , call or use online discussion boards for help

 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

 There are many pros and cons of doing the distance learning  These consist of…

 Flexibility  Convenience  Availability

 Cost  Self-directed  Time Spent in Classroom

 Accessibility  Better for some learners  No Travel Expense

 Doesn’t interrupt job or career  Geographic Location  Work at your own pace

 Personal expressions  Focused on Student Responses  Meet with students from all over the world

 Equality  Racial  Sex  Religion  Disability  Student participation

 No one-on-one contact  Perceptions/ Reputation  Requires new skills/technologies

 No social interaction with classmates  Making Time  Little Support

 No Campus atmosphere  Requires extra time  Start computer  Internet connection  Software programs  Budget

 Adjusting to time Scheduling  Example: taking a class in a different time zone  Feelings of isolation from school  Discipline/ Self-motivated  To do work at right times

 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 priorities  Personal circumstances

 The learners and technology will drive the future of distance learning.

 Aranda, Natalie. "The Pros and Cons of Distance Learning." EZine Articles. 23 Mar  Hansen, Randall S. "Distance Learning Pros and Cons." Quint Careers. 23 Mar  "What are the positive and negative aspects of online learning?" ELearners.com. 23 Mar "