DISTANCE LEARNING
Kari Showersand
Heather Winters
WHAT IS DISTANCE LEARNING?! Education in which students take
academic courses by accessing information and communicating with the instructor asynchronously over a computer network
EXAMPLES OF DISTANCE LEARNING Podcasting Online classes Videoconferencing
PODCASTING Web-based audio broadcast via an RSS
feed, accessed by subscription over the Internet
Available for downloading
ONLINE CLASSES Students of all ages can participate in
education courses online Proper internet and registration is
necessary to be able to participate Course objectives are the same as
classroom objectives
EXAMPLE OF ONLINE CLASSES… Cyber School College Universities IT Schools
VIDEOCONFERENCING a teleconference conducted via
television equipment
EXAMPLE OF USING VIDEOCONFERENCING… Wilson County School in Tennessee If a subject is not taught in a certain
district, videoconferencing can be used to allow the students to take the course
Example: Math. Wilson Country School videoconferences with Watertown High School
FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL Founded in 1997 Largest online public school in the
country60,000 high school and middle school
studentsOnly 5% are full-timeNow are available at elementary level
Students taught “asynchronous learning”
Also uses web conferencing and collaboration tools
“ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING” Students log in to the course
management system Read teachers lesson plansSubmit Homework onlineE-mail, call or use online discussion boards
for help
WEB CONFERENCING AND COLLABORATION TOOL Allows teachers to give lectures Write on online interactive whiteboards Deliver PowerPoint or short video
presentations Students and Teachers can also use
instant messenger or talk “it’s an opportunity to engage with
students and teach in a synchronous way,”According to David Bass, director of
information systems and support
PROS AND CONS There are many
pros and cons of doing the distance learning
These consist of…
PROS… Flexibility
Convenience
Availability
PROS… Cost
Self-directed
Time Spent in Classroom
PROS… Accessibility
Better for some learners
No Travel Expense
PROS… Doesn’t interrupt
job or career
Geographic Location
Work at your own pace
PROS… Personal expressions
Focused on Student Responses
Meet with students from all over the world
PROS… Equality
RacialSexReligionDisability
Student participation
CONS… No one-on-one
contact
Perceptions/ Reputation
Requires new skills/technologies
CONS… No social
interaction with classmates
Making Time
Little Support
CONS… No Campus atmosphere
Requires extra timeStart computer Internet connectionSoftware programs
Budget
CONS… Adjusting to time Scheduling
Example: taking a class in a different time zone
Feelings of isolation from school
Discipline/ Self-motivatedTo do work at right times
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND… Distance learning may require more
discipline and self-discipline than traditional courses that meet face to face
Consider both advantages and disadvantages
Consider you needs:Professional prioritiesPersonal circumstances
FUTURE OF DISTANCE LEARNING! The learners and
technology will drive the future of distance learning.
SOURCES… Aranda, Natalie. "The Pros and Cons of Distance Learning."
EZine Articles. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Pros-and-Cons-of-Distance-Learning&id=248909E>.
Hansen, Randall S. "Distance Learning Pros and Cons." Quint Careers. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.quintcareers.com/distance_learning_pros-cons.html>.
"What are the positive and negative aspects of online learning?" ELearners.com. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.elearners.com/resources/elearning-faq5.asp>."