The Online Learning Experience Griff Richards Director, Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute Athabasca University CANADA ICT & Education Virtual Conference, Moscow 24 December 2009

60 o N 49 o N Distance Learning In Canada Is growing: - 15% of secondary school graduates - widespread use in universities and colleges.

Brazilian Question: What’s it like to take an online course from a Canadian University? I sent 9 questions to graduate students in Master of Distance Education Program about 400 students currently enrolled over 330 graduates since courses including thesis average time to completion about 4 years about $15,000 CAD (1,500,000 Rubles)

Q1. Who are you and why did you decide to take your Masters at a distance? – Sao Paulo, OnLine Educator – Toronto, OnLine Business Instructor – Vancouver, Course Developer Flexibility to work full time while studying from anywhere was main reason for distance studies.

Q2 Why Athabasca U? Flexibility to work & study Relevant program and courses Reputation of university Cost

Q3 – What’s it like to be a distance learner? Not too difficult as have previous experience At first missed social contact, but then met other students with Skype, , MSN I liked being able to reflect before saying something in English I made friends around the world!

Q4. What were the best things about being a DE learner? Flexibility from time & place Active learning - No boring lectures Diversity – “the whole world can be found in a single class” Friendships

Q5. What were the worst things …? Not having immediate feedback or access to instructor Cultural differences in expectations and understandings Being alone during thesis work

Q6a Did the program give you a thorough knowledge of the content? Excellent foundation Covered the whole spectrum of topics I also learned a lot about myself Now I want to do my doctorate

Q6b Did the program give you access to a network of professional contacts? Not important for me, but I met many people and now I also work as a Research Assistant Maybe this will happen as I finish the M.A. I had access to the highest calibre academics and professionals in the world. After I graduated I collaborated on books and research. Wow!

Q6c Did the program give you confidence in your new knowledge and skills? I can see the improvement in my work I can discuss this area with anyone My self-confidence has grown and my opinions seem to be well-respected I had good work experience before, but the credential makes a difference

Q7. What advice would you give someone? Plan your studies well in advance Follow a schedule Get your family to respect your time Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification from instructors or from other learners

Q8. Has your DE experience changed your beliefs about learning? I still believe motivation is the key to learning I learned it is important to reflect about your own learning When you are a distance learner you are responsible for your own learning… you learn what motivates you to learn more

Q9. Closing comments? My goals are being fulfilled, my boss is impressed that I am finishing, but DE is not for the soft-hearted, you have to have self-discipline. I met lots of interesting people, but when I finish it will be nice to spend more time with my family. The program exceeded my expectations, now I want to go for my doctorate.

Impressions The program is meeting the learners’ needs The social context is important both –for learning and –for developing a professional network A distance degree is a lot of hard work

Anderson’s Equivalency Theory Interaction increases learning… Content Instructor Other learners

…but are we preparing better learners? Expectations? Self-reliant? Better organized? Pro-active communicators? Social constructive learners? Better meta-cognitive skills?

Promote student meta-cognition Available at

The culture of Distance Learning is becoming increasingly interactive as technology enables cheaper and better communications. We need to ensure these learning activities are purposeful, properly guided, and offer the most efficient and appropriate ways to learn.

The Online Learning Experience Griff Richards Director, Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute Athabasca University CANADA ICT & Education Virtual Conference, Moscow 24 December 2009