Educating engineers at a distance Mark Endean

Open or distant? learning governed by learnerprovider distance far near face to face distance learning open learning

All students need… a clear framework or structure for their studying knowledge of direction, goal, purpose, intended outcomes appropriate learning activities feedback on their progress content

Good distance learning purposeful structured paced engaging

Purposeful well-defined audience placed in curriculum clear outcomes

Structured clear learning, teaching and assessment strategies manageable chunks

Paced timetable for learning assessment milestones

Engaging narrative -beginning, middle, end identification -what’s this to me? register -‘I’ am speaking directly to ‘you’ and ‘we’ are exploring the subject together conversation -an ongoing dialogue -interaction teaching or learning?

Learning materials teaching narratives textbooks + commentary action guides + resourcesaction guides + resources software

Assessment a means to an end appropriate to the learning assessment by -self -peers -tutor

Student support access to ‘tutor’ -named individual -expert helpline -virtual tutor scheduled ‘tutorials’ self-help groups emphasis on support rather than teaching

and finally... you will never overestimate the sense of isolation felt by distance learners