Center for Distance Learning Status Report On Distance Learning Preliminary findings on technology and academic validity of distance learning techniques Prepared for Lloyd Armstrong June 21, 2002

Center for Distance Learning Agenda  Winshel’s role  Literature review  Preliminary findings  Technologies and methods  Deliverables  Next steps

Center for Distance Learning Role  Develop the academic dimension of the matrix  Identify technologies and methods where the team should focus its efforts  Provide input on understanding technology issues  Provide input on viability of business models for distance learning  Produce a document outlining research implication for developing distance learning programs

Center for Distance Learning Literature Review  Assessment of literature  Basic research  Case studies  Areas for further work

Center for Distance Learning Literature Review  30+ periodicals  Pedagogical  Cognitive  Over 350 articles  25 books  50+ technical reviews

Center for Distance Learning Key Journals  American Journal of Distance Education  Journal of Computer-Based Instruction  Journal of Distance Education  Cognitive Science  Journal of Educational Psychology  Journal of Research on Computing in Education  Communication Education  International Journal of Educational Telecommunications  Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication  European Journal of Psychology of Education  Journal of Computer Assisted Learning  Educational Technology Research & Development  American Educational Research Journal

Center for Distance Learning Additional Sources  The Institute for Higher Education Policy  Conference proceedings on distance education  Dissertation abstracts  On-line resources

Center for Distance Learning Preliminary Findings  Techniques and Tools  Effectiveness  Areas deserving greatest attention  Multiple technologies working in concert  Collaboration  Assessment  Need for basic research

Center for Distance Learning Suggested Focus  Focus on the subset of all possible technologies and methods that offers the greatest return (80/20 rule):  What subset of technologies and methods is most accessible to study  What subset of technologies and methods can most readily be leveraged by the DL group to provide the greatest value to its constituents  How do we deliver the biggest bang for the smallest buck both in effort and resources

Center for Distance Learning Techniques

Center for Distance Learning Deliverables  Short-term  Preliminary conclusions on effectiveness of various techniques  Initial assistance for developing pilot USC courses  Mid-term  Guidelines for course development  Program assessment assistance  Long-term  Original research

Center for Distance Learning Suggested Next Steps  Be a resource for best practices in distance learning course development  Engage in original research