1. Online Education: A Summary INST 5240 Mimi Recker Utah State University

2. Overview o Many confusing terms o Online learning o e-learning o Flexible learning o Open learning o Telematics o Web-based education o Distance education o Others o Consider (dis)advantages, design issues, reusability, diversity issues, future.

3. Debate o The future of online learning: o Pros o Cons o Consider age, location, content, impacts, appeal, effectiveness, access, dropout rates o Clearly a key area for instructional technology o [2.2 million online learners in 2002 -- 33% growth]

4. Designer Viewpoint o Advantages o Lower delivery cost o Faster training o Fewer facilities o No travel o Refine and reuse o Disadvantages o Costs more to develop o Requires new skills o Demonstrated value? o Requires redesign

5. Learner Viewpoint o Advantages o Anytime, anywhere o Less travel o Self-paced, self- directed o Increased accessibility o Multimedia o Disadvantages o Intimidating tech o Costs of technology o Isolating and lonely o More self-discipline required (motivation, metacognition, and collaboration)

6. (Chickering & Reisser, 1993) Design Issues (1) o Technology: o Fluency o Reusability (later) o Usability o Teaching: o Use media appropriately o Support close student interaction o Communicate expectations up front o Provide timely feedback o Emphasize time-on-task o Maintain consistent standards

7. Design Issues (2) o Learning: o Support active learning o Support flexibility o Support peer communication & collaboration o Evaluate: o Effectiveness (assessment) o Effectiveness (transfer) o Appeal o Usability o Cost-benefit

8. Design for Reusability o Opportunity for o increased productivity o reduced cost o improved quality o Consider the following 3 objects: o In what ways are they different? o Are they reusable? o Do they support learning?

9. Example One o An online module containing instruction on how to create and save documents in Microsoft Word o Examples of the concepts o Assessment to measure mastery of the concepts

10. Example Two o Move mouse over File menu item o Press left mouse button o Select Open …

11. Example Three o An online course containing instruction on how to write an annual report for Company X. o In what ways are the objects different? o Are they reusable? o Do they support learning?

12. Reusability Issues o Granularity o Instructional content/strategy o Context

13. Diversity Issues o Age o Gender o Disability o Literacy o Culture o Socio-economic status (digital divide) o Privacy o Filters and censorship o Copyright o Intellectual property...

14. The Future? o Ubiquitous computing (m-learning) o Intelligent agents o Virtual reality o Others?