Distance Education refers to teaching that is conducted outside of a traditional classroom setting. Generally speaking, distance learning follows one of two methods: the correspondence course or the online course.
Using correspondence courses, students receive hardcopies of the material and submit course work via the regular mail system. With online courses, communication between the student, instructor and other students takes place via the Internal.
The following technologies are used to support online learning:
- Learning Management Systems (i.e. Blackboard, eCollege)
- Word Documents/electronic files (i.e. Word docs, PDFs)
- Streaming audio and video
- Podcasts
- Online resources (websites, textbooks)
- Time flexibility
- Cost effective
- Overcome geographic barriers
- Learner centered
- Reliable technology
- Adaptable
- Relevant content and material
According to www.elearners.com, organizations that offer Distance Learning need to take the following issues into consideration:
- Realize what market and demographic groups they serve
- Be responsive to adult learner needs
- Prove their value to adult learners, such as quality, relevance in material, convenience, etc.
- Take direction from business organizations, and in response, anticipate and adapt to their needs
- Streamline the instruction process
- Look for partnerships with other complementary organizations
- Find creative ways to certify learning credentials
- Be prepared to compete globally with a variety of learning providers \Stay abreast of relevant issues in education
- Understand that the paradigm of thinking in education has changed over the last fifty years and will continue to change in the future
To read a comparison of the Pros and Cons of Online Learning, view the following web site
http://www.elearners.com/resources/elearning-faq5.asp
1 comment:
Hi Yvonne:
I would be interested in reading more about your perspective on future directions in eLearning....
With increasing demand on people to 'keep up with the times' in a fast-pace society with rapid technological innovations, especially in hand-held devices – How will this shape the way we learn online?
–Nancy
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