1. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 1 Bruno Wenk Hochschule für Technik und Architektur HTA Chur CH-7400 Chur (Switzerland)

2. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 2 Overview A model for the description of a distance learning environment Processes (teaching, learning, administration) within the distance learning environment and how they are supported by telecommunications services Experiences with the Graubünden Course on „special education“ Remarks concerning the publishing of lectures in the internet Conclusions

3. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 3 Distance Learning Forms of study which are not led or controlled by teachers present in class-rooms or similar locations, but nevertheless benefit from planning, guidance, and teaching of tutors Self-directed and collaborative learning instead of directed learning Asynchronous instead of synchronous communication and collaboration

4. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 4 Distance Learning Environment Administers commercial affairs and telecommunications infrastructure is studied by other students Provides administrative information and material is analysed by Teaching Material students tutors supporting organisation Student‘s Work publish raise questions, deliver solved exercises is used by give feedback

5. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 5 Learning Processes Prerequisites: Self-discipline, awareness of one‘s own strengths and weaknesses, and skills to plan the learning process and to master the new technologies Learning processes are individual Learning processes comprise: - collection and study of material - annotations - exploration of problems and other activities - solving of exercises, reporting on projects - interaction with tutors and students

6. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 6 Teaching Processes Creation of self-study material which incorporates description of objectives, guidance, advice, solved exercises, and a sort of dialogue with the student Interaction with students Review of student‘s work with appropriate feedback

7. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 7 Administrative Processes Advertisement of courses Support for tutors in the material preparation process Supply of information and material for students Billing Operation of telecommunications services - installation and scaling of infrastructure - configuration of student‘s accounts (e.g. passwords) - trouble shooting

8. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 8 Processes and Services

9. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 9 Sketching Ideas A graphic tablet supports the sketching of ideas like pencil and paper do it

10. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 10 Processes and Services

11. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 11 Videoconference Share applications See each other while talking

12. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 12 Processes and Services

13. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 13 Chatrooms Several persons „meet“ in a room for text-based conversation Alice: How are you, Bob? Bob: Fine, thank you. What do you think about the paper we should comment on? Alice Bob

14. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 14 HPSGR Special Education Course Zürich Graubünden

15. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 15 HPSGR Course Outline Combination of contact lessons and distance learning Duration 3 years (1998 - 2001) 12 five-day intensive seminars in Graubünden 110 one-day seminars (mainly regional) 30 students (22 female, 8 male; ages ~ 25 - 50)

16. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 16 HPSGR Course: Internet Services Server WWW E-Mail FTP Chat Internet Modem Service Provider B ISDN Adapter Service Provider A Macintosh Windows PC LAN Router

17. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 17 HPSGR Course: Experiences More communication between students and tutors and between students themselves The possibility to have a look at other student‘s work stimulates self-esteem High motivation of students, aquainted skills impressive Getting started courses necessary Services sometimes not used efficiently, additional courses and promotion by tutors necessary Chatrooms not that efficient as expected Reduced costs

18. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 18 Review of Processes and Services

19. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 19 Internet Lectures: Objectives Students can participate in lectures independent of time and location Only standard internet PC equipment with sound support required Immediate playing without time-consuming download Flexible navigation through lectures

20. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 20 Internet Lectures: Overview

21. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 21 Internet Lectures: Experiences Experiences regarding the teaching processes: - Time to produce internet lecture >= 3 * lecture time - Publication amplifies weaknesses of the lecture, encourages lecturers to improve material and way of presentation Experiences regarding the learning processes: - Not yet available

22. Distance Learning Supported by Telecommunications Services 22 Conclusions The combination of contact lessons and distance learning improves the self-directed and collaborative learning and at the same time lowers the overall costs In this way, educational organizations may improve their programmes step by step Students must be trained in order to use the new new technologies efficiently The supporting organisation must increase the knowledge regarding the operation of the required internet services