Issues in Distance Education An Thuy Duong Beth Collum Michael Virgil

Contents Distance Education 1. Issues Facing Distance Education 2. Distance Education Strategies 3. The Future of Distance Education 4.

Distance Education  Refers to an organized program of instruction in which the teacher and learners are physically separated.  Is also known as e- learning, distance learning, distributed learning, distributed education, open learning, and open education.

Distance Learning Settings Instructional Radio Instructional Television Internet-based Learning Computer-based Learning

Distance Education: Why? Time/ Convenience Physical geography Individual disability Reaching new audiences Institutional resources Personal Resources ACCESS

Issues in Distance Education  F aculty  A dministrative/ I nstitutional  S tudents  T echnology

Faculty Issues  Standardized delivery across formats  Few choices in delivery  Didactic  Split functions

Students Issues  Standardized content  Non-constructivist  Few choices  Passive role

Administrative/ Institutional Issues  Administrative systems and policies  Faculty and student computer skills  Assurance of learning  Security

Technology Issues  Quality factors  Misuse of technology  Problems with equipment  Cost of technology

Present Strategies  Use Active Strategies  Set Standards & Expectations  Keep Everyone Tuned in  Encourage Dialogue  Become Familiar with Technical Issues

Active Learning If you tell me, I will listen If you show me, I will see If you let me experience, I will learn. Lao Tzu (6 th Century BC)

Reconceptualizing Effective Learning (a) Source: Andersen Consulting. How People Learn EMERGING TRENDS IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION - THE VIEW TO 2012 by Michael T. Moe, CFA and Chief Executive Officer, ThinkEquity Partners

Strategies 1. Ensure Faculty Access to Instructional Design and Systems Support 2. Provide Adequate Faculty Development Opportunities 3. Provide Technical Support for Faculty and Students 4. Provide Adequate Learning Management System 5. Establish Institutional Parameters for Online Operation

Strategies 6. Integrate Institutional Administrative Systems and Tools 7. Provide Clear Institutional Policies on Intellectual Property 8. Define the Role of Online Education in the Mission of the Institution 9. Develop Institutional Policy for Compensating and Rewarding Faculty and Academic Units 10. Provide Copyright and Permissions Support and Policies

Student Support  Orientation  Accessibility  Student Services  Helpdesk

Technology and the Future  Infrastructure  Basics of Distance Education  Technology Training  Would you feel comfortable teaching an online class?  How would you instruct? Chat?  Learning Management System  Helpdesk

Future of Distant Education Blended Technology Combining classroom learning with distance learning (ie. classroom – once per month)

Future of Distant Education The Next Wave of Learners

Future of Distant Education

Connections

Conclusion 1. Distance Education Refers to an organized program of instruction in which the teacher and learners are physically separated. 2. Issues Facing Distance Education Faculty Issues Student Issues Administrative Issues 3.Distance Education Strategies Faculty access to support and technology Provide clear policies and procedures 4.The Future of Distance Education Next wave of software Next Wave of learners

References  Clark, T. Virtual schools: Trends and issues. Phoenix, AZ: WestEd Distance Learning Resource Network, 2001). Retrieved October 4, 2012,  Setzer, J. C., and L. Lewis. Distance education courses for public elementary and secondary school students: 2002–03 (NCES 2005–010). U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics, 2005  Barbour, M. K., & Reeves, T. C. (2009). The reality of virtual schools: A review of the literature. Computers and Education.  U.S. Department of Education. Issue brief: 1.1 million students home- schooled students in the United States in National Center for Education Statistics, NCES , July, Retrieved October 4,  Anderson, A., and others. (2006). 20/20 Costs and Funding of Virtual Schools. Atlanta: BellSouth Foundation.  Bullen, M. (2008). The Future of Distance Education.