Over the life of
distance learning programs, many changes and improvements have taken place. What was once a correspondence course driven
system where teaching and learning was a conducted by mail has now grown to
become an interactive learning experience which, in some ways, can rival face-to-face
classroom approaches. Wang (2006) cites
Carnevale’s suggestion that online learning and distance education “is becoming
a more consumer-driven market.” As a
result, he asserts the need for developing quality distance learning programs
containing five elements identified by Moore to be learning effectiveness,
access, student satisfaction, and cost effectiveness. The elements of learning effectiveness and
student satisfaction seem to be directly correlative to a quality online
learning experience.
Simonson &
Schlosser (2004) and Smith (2006) have presented several proposed best
practices to implement an effective distance learning program. First, Simonson and Schlossher assert that
distance education is a system and requires a systems approach for its
design. That being said, here are a few
key words and phrases that can be found in the literature to help identify and
define a distance learning system that would potential yield a quality learning
experience.
Key
Words/Phrases
Experiential – addresses leaner
experiences
Participatory – emphasizes involvement
Interactive – allows opportunities
to engage in a variety of way
Relevant – content is current and
relates to real world concepts
Clear – directions, content,
feedback, and assessments are not vague or confusing
Student centered – activities and
interactions revolve around the student
Engaging – Useful, active, interesting
content with pace controlled in some part or completely by the student
Consistent – both teaching and
learning expectations are clearly defined and adhered to throughout the course
or program.
The
list is not exhaustive by any means. These
few key words and phrases capture the spirit of a student centered learning
experience which supports a constructivist learning theory as I proposed at the
onset of this course. Distance education
seems to be an ever changing system that, in some ways, has a life of its
own. As technology and education change
and grows, so does the distance education system. Educational technologists and educators of
every ability should be the nurtures of this living system so that will
continue to grow and bear good fruit.
References
Simonson,
M., & Schlosser, C. (2004). We need a plan: An instructional design
approach for distance education courses. Distance Learning, 1(4), 29-38.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/230685349?accountid=12085
Smith,
L. M. (2006). Effective science tools supporting best practice methodologies in
distance education. Distance Learning, 3(4), 47-57. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/230682589?accountid=12085
Wang,
Q. (2006). Quality assurance - best practices for assessing online programs.
International Journal on ELearning, 5(2), 265-274. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/210338562?accountid=12085
Technology is going to continue to change as you stated and we must continue to adapt. Following a systems approach for distance learning is a great idea because though the technology may change there will still be an underlying process to aid in design. The best practice that I found closely aligned with the constructivist theory too. I think that you hit some key terms here that really go hand and hand with that theory such as experiential, participatory, interactive, and student-centered. This segment of your post really gave some good things to include in distance education.
ReplyDeleteHi Dale,
ReplyDeleteInteresting! How do you see mobile learning fitting in to distance education? What are your thoughts on implementing these best practices into future military trainings?
Looking forward to your thoughts,
Doc
With mobile technology developing more and more capabilities similar to full sized computers, I could see it become a seamless alternative way of accessing distance learning systems. Bluetooth, wifi, and wireless broadband access all but eliminate the need for hard wire connections typically associated with the desktop computer. This should offer a truely ubiquitous learning experience. As applied to the military, the lag associated with the beauracracy of purchasing and implimenting new technologies will likely impact the rate at which mobile technologies are integrated into military education systems. However, looking backwards across time, we see that there have been giant leaps forward in technology development and implimentation. This may offset the lag in some ways. Bottom line is that, as the authors said, distance education is a system. System upgrades will need to keep pace with change or else it will stagnate or crash.
DeleteWhen I read through the list of phrases that identify a quality online instruction I completely agreed with the list. Then I read back through the list thinking of my own traditional brick and mortar classroom and realized that the phrases should be included there too. No matter where or how the instruction is given, effective planning should include research driven best practices. I agree that as time has passed distance education has evolved and can now accommodate many different people and the needs specific to those people. There is a demand for online classes as some people return to the classroom to enhance prior education and some return to begin their education. I agree that as the demand for online courses continues to increase we will see online courses continue to evolve to further accommodate students’ needs. As a classroom teacher I continuously search for technology to use in lessons to support learning. It is imperative that teachers in a brick and mortar setting also continue to adapt technology into the learning environment as to prepare students for survival in a technology driven workforce. Thanks for the post and many blessings in all you do.
ReplyDeleteAlan,
DeleteThrough all the research I've done in the program thus far, I've seen a trend where traditional learning practices and e-learning practices seem to be merging. It's very exciting.
Dale
Dale,
ReplyDeleteAs I looked down the list of key phrases one of the ones that sticks out to me is being student centered. I believe this is one of the driving forces in traditional classrooms and in distant education. Course designers need to create lessons in a format that meet the needs of diverse learners. Not all students learn the same way. The more the material is diversified the more students can engage with the lesson and learn. In this class I would say its key phrases would have been experential, participatory, and interactive. So much of this course depended on the interactions that took place in each of the ISD groups.
Thanks Dale good luck in Hawaii!!!
Dennis
Thanks Dennis,
DeleteI'd agree that this class met all three phrases you mentioned. It seemed to be intentionally designed to engage the learners in a real world project that could be applied outside the confines of the classroom.
Dale