Key Issues in Distance Education

Distance Education and the Internet TECH4101

Dr. Alaa SadikInstructional & Learning Technologies Department

[email protected]

Lecture Two Key Issues in Distance Education- The educational relationship in DE

- Interaction at a distance

Distance Education and the Internet TECH4101

In face-to-face education:The teacher can play an essential role in facilitating learning and supporting students. How?

prepare lessons, discuss students, manage the class, select the needed technology, suggest activities, assess students and provide reinforcement.

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:Although DE is recognised by the separation between the tutor and learners, an important role can be played by distance tutors. How?

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:Although DE is recognised by the separation between the tutor and learners, an important role can be played by distance tutors. How?

deliver instructional materials, suggest learning resources, use appropriate interaction technology, respond to students’ questions. select the appropriate form of assessment.

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:

Therefore, a DE environment has two main components: The subject matter The dialogue

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:

Therefore, a DE environment has two main components: The subject matter (course designer’ role, later in this course) The dialogue (tutor’s role)

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:

Components of DE environments:

The dialogue (tutor’s role)Important for activating the use of new knowledge and facilitating assessment of students’ progress.

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:

Components of DE environments:

The dialogue (tutor’s role)

How can be achieved?

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

In distance education:

Components of DE environments:

The dialogue (tutor’s role)

The tutor may visit the distant site, or students may take a trip to a central site.

The tutor may use technology to interact and support students.

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

The dialogue (tutor’s role)The dialogue in the absence of two-way communication technology (e.g., printed materials, TV and phone calls).

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

Model 1

T eac her S tudent

Content( i.e. , in form ation)

Develop

Deliver

Interact

The dialogue (tutor’s role)The dialogue using two-way communication technology (e.g., the Internet)

The Educational Relationship in Distance Education

T e a c he r S tude nt

C o n t e n t

In t e ra c t io n

M e dium

In t e ra c t io n

C o n t e n t

Model 2

The same medium can be used to distribute the content and facilitate interaction

InteractionA process of communication that happens between the learner and the learning environment (the tutor, students and the learning content) in which the learner takes a more positive role.

Interactivity has been described as a key to success in traditional classroom to enhance learning and motivate learners.

Interaction at a Distance

Types of Interaction

Social interaction Student-instructor interactionStudent-student interaction

Individual interaction Student-content interaction

Interaction at a Distance

Social Interaction

Student-instructor interaction

Occurs between the learner and the instructor.

Why?

To motivate and support the learner and allows for clarification of any misunderstanding.

Interaction at a Distance

Social Interaction

Student-Student interaction

Occurs between one learner and another learner, with or without the presence of an instructor. Used to negotiate information and share learning experience.

Interaction at a Distance

Individual Interaction

Learner-content interaction

Occurs between the learner and the learning content to bring about changes in the learner’s understanding.

Interaction at a Distance

Types of Social Interaction

Time-dependent (synchronous) Time-independent (asynchronous)

Interaction at a Distance

Types of Social Interaction

Time-dependent (synchronous)

Using real-time communication technology (e.g., telephone, video conferencing, chatting…)

Interaction at a Distance

Types of Social Interaction

Time-independent (asynchronous)

Using communication tools (e.g., fax, e-mail, discussion boards…).

Interaction at a Distance

Encouraging interaction at a distance. Student-instructor interaction.

Student-instructor interaction can be constructed and fostered in DE. How?

Using various strategies

group-based collaborative projects, presentation boards, tutor questioning.

Interaction at a Distance

Encouraging interaction at a distance. Student-student interaction

Student-student interaction can be constructed and fostered in DE. How?

Using various strategies

… … …

Interaction at a Distance

Encouraging interaction at a distance: How? Student-content interaction

Student-content interaction can be constructed and fostered in DE. How?

Using various strategies … … …

Interaction at a Distance

Questions & Discussions

The End