Distance learning

CONTENTS:- Introduction History Technology used in delivery Types of distance education courses Best distance learning universities in India

Pros and cons

Distance learning

DISTANCE LEARNING :- IT IS THE FIELD OF EDUCATION THAT FOCUSES ON TECHNOLOGY AND INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DESIGNS THAT AIM TO DELIVER EDUCATION TO STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT PHYSICALLY “ON SITE”

It started in 1700s in the form of co rrespondence edu cation. but technology-based distance education might be best linked to the introduction of audiovisual devices into the schools in the early 1900s.

Instructional media were introduced into many extension programs by 1920 in the form of slides and motion pictures just as they were in the classroom.

History of distance education

By the year 2000, more than 80 percent of off-campus and 10 to 20 percent of on-campus instruction would take place through telecommunications (Carnegie Commission, 1972).

TECHNOLOGY USED IN DELIVERY

• Synchronous technology• Asynchronous technology

SYNCHRONOUS TECHNOLOGIES

Web-based VoIP Telephone Videoconferencing Web conferencing Direct-broadcast satellite Internet radio Live streaming

SYNCHRONOUS TECHNOLOGY

Web based VoIP:-Web-based VoIP is based on the concept of click to talk, which is a form of Web-based communication in which a person clicks an object (i.e. button, image, or text) to request an immediate connection with another person in real-time either by phone call, Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP), or text. Click to talk requests are most commonly made through websites but can also be initiated by hyperlinks placed in email, blogs, flash animations, or video, and other Internet-based object or user interface…..

Internet radio services are usually accessible from anywhere in the world—for example, one could listen to an Australian station from Europe or America.

Internet radio (also known as web radio, net radio, streaming radio and e-radio) is an audio service transmitted via the Internet. Music streaming on the Internet is usually referred to as webcasting since it is not much like traditional broadcast media; in this respect, it is distinct from on-demand file serving.

Telephone

A video conference (also known as a video tele conference) is a set of interactive tele communication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously.

Web conferencing is used to conduct live meetings, training, or presentations via the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants via the internet.

Direct broadcast satellite:- (DBS) is a term used to refer to satellite television broadcasts intended for home reception.A designation broader than DBS would be direct-to-home signals, or DTH.

Asynchronous technologiesAudiocassette E-mail Message board forums Print materialsVoice Mail/fax Videocassette/DVD

A TDK D-60 cassette, a common speech-quality tape with a 60-minute playing time, in a housing similar to that of the original Compact Cassette

specification.

Electronic mail:- most commonly abbreviated email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages. E-mail systems are based on a store-and-forward model in which e-mail server computer systems accept, forward, deliver and store messages on behalf of users, who only need to connect to the e-mail infrastructure, typically an e-mail server…

An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site.

Streaming media are multimedia that are constantly received by, and normally presented to, an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider (the term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback). The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather than to the medium itself.

Videotape is a means of recording images and sound onto magnetic tape as opposed to movie film or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram.

Voicemail (or voice mail, voice-mail, vmail or VMS, sometimes called messagebank) is a centralized system of managing telephone messages for a large group of people. The term is also used more broadly, to denote any system of conveying voice message, including the answering machine.

Voice-centered technology such as CD or MP3 recordings or Webcasts Video technology, such as instructional videos, DVDs, and interactive videoconferencing Computer-centered technology delivered over the Internet or corporate intranet

TYPES OF DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES

Correspondence conducted through regular mail Internet conducted either synchronously or asynchronously Telecourse/Broadcast, in which content is delivered via radio or

television CD-ROM, in which the student interacts with computer content stored

on a CD-ROM PocketPC/Mobile Learning where the student accesses course content

stored on a mobile device or through a wireless server Integrated distance learning, the integration of live, in-group

instruction or interaction with a distance learning curriculum

BEST DISTANCE LEARNING UNIVERSTIES IN INDIA

1. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

2. Annamalai University- Popular courses at Distance Learning Courses at Annamalai University are M.B.A courses, M.Phil courses, Hotel Management Studies, Fashion Design Studies, I.T Programmes, Health Science Programmes. All the programmes of study offered by the Directorate of Distance Education have the approval of the Distance Education Council, New Delhi.

3.Osmania University- Ever since the Osmania University established the Centre for Distance Education, the Centre has witnessed phenomenal growth and emerged as a pioneering institution in the field of Distance Education, with potential for excellence. Candidates from all over India will be admitted without age and area restriction and without any entrance test [Except for MBA & MCA ]provided they fulfill the requisite conditions of eligibility to various courses.

4. Sikkim Manipal University- The courses include Master degree programs, Bachelor degree programs, Diploma and Post Graduate diploma programs, both in Information Technology and Management category.5. NALANDA OPEN UNIVERSITY(NOU)- The Nalanda Open University is the only University in the State of Bihar meant for imparting learning exclusively through the system of distance education.

•Nalanda Open University Biscomaun Bhawan, Gandhi Maidan, Patna-800001, Bihar, India

6. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning(SCDL) Pune – Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning(SCDL) is a centre of excellence offering quality Distance Education.

7. Karnataka Open University – Total Enrollment in the year 2000 were 27231; Enrollments in 2004 are over 30,000 students

8. University of Madras Institute of Distance Education (University of Madras IDE), Chennai, Tamil Nadu

9. Mahatma Gandhi University – School of Distance Education, Kottayam, Kerala

10. ICFAI University – A number of educational programs are offered in management, finance, banking, insurance, accounting, law, information technology, arts, commerce, education and science and technology at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels on full-time campus and flexible learning formats.

PROS AND CONS Pros:- Expanding access: Distance education can reach underserved

populations of students who cannot attend a school that offers the educational services they desire, perhaps because they live too far away.

Cost reduction: Distance education can turn production of content into a repeatable and durable learning tool that does not require as much infrastructure. As most material can be packaged in an easy to deliver "just-in-time" format, the expanding payroll of educational institutions becomes unnecessary.

Emerging market opportunities: Distance education fuels the public's need for lifelong learning in education by providing access to learners not in the traditional k-12 age group.

Adapting to new technology and environments: Educational institutions may adopt distance education as a means to adapt to the rapid changes in technology being used in education today.

No Instructor Face Time: If your learning style is one where you like personalized attention from your teachers, then online education will probably not work for you.

Distance Learning Cons:Here are some factors that could negatively affect your success with distance learning courses:-

Perceptions/Reputation -- while slowly changing as more and more mainstream colleges and universities embrace distance learning, there still is a stigma attached to distance education.

Making Time -- if you are a procrastinator or one of those people who always needs an extra push to complete work, you may have a hard time making time for your online classes

Little Support -- students are expected to find their own resources for completing assignments and exams, which is empowering for some, but daunting for others.

No Campus Atmosphere -- part of the traditional college experience, of course, is the beauty of the campus, the college spirit -- but you have none of that with distance-education courses.

Requires New Skills/Technologies -- if you’re not computer-savvy or are afraid of change or new technologies, then online education will probably not work for you.

No Social Interaction -- while you often interact with classmates via email, chat rooms, or discussion groups, there are no parties or offline get-togethers.

WHAT KIND OF STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THIS KIND OF LEARNING?

This approach to learning works best for highly motivated students who already take responsibility for their learning, and don't need reminders from teachers or classmates. If you are a take-charge person, who likes getting things done on your own, you will do very well in distance learning.

HOW CAN I KNOW DISTANCE LEARNING IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Ask yourself a few questions:

Are you comfortable learning in a less social situation?  You need to be able to learn effectively outside of a traditional classroom setting.

  Are you comfortable learning in a less social situation?  You need to be able to learn effectively outside of a traditional classroom setting.

Are you self-disciplined?  If you need some external motivator like showing up for class each day, then Online Learning may not be for you.

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Are you really focused on your learning goals? Do you have compelling reasons to stay on track and not to neglect your coursework?

Do you have time?  Do you have enough time to devote to the coursework?