Distance Learning

What is Distance Learning?

y Any method used to connect teachers and learners who are geographically separated. y It encompasses correspondence course and courses delivered by satellite, television broadcasting, or telephone lines. y It involves two-way audio and video technology.

What are the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of Distance Learning? A. Advantages

y People in rural areas or those who are homebound can have greater access to information and to higher education. y It is accessible to a larger variety of courses. y The ability to learn in one s own time frame and at one s own pace. y There is an opportunity to learn more about technology.

B. Disadvantages
y Lack of in-person face-to-face contact with the teacher as well as technology glitches that may be as severe as the system's shutting down and being inaccessible. y Some learners may not be able to access the hardware and software they need. y Some may struggle with learning to use the technology at the same time when they are supposed to be learning content. y Some may not learn well with less structure in the educational experience and some may experience feelings of alienation.

Distance Learning Via Interactive Television

y A typical ITV classroom contains a teaching podium with a control panel for the cameras and monitors, a microphone for the teacher, a computer hookup, a document camera, and a fax machine. y Each student s desk has a microphone and a control pad that moves the camera towards the students when he or she activates the microphone. y It is important for the teachers to be well-oriented with the equipments and at least conduct one trial run before starting the actual class. y The instructor must know about the basic details such as paying attention to his or her clothing. y The instructor must learn about pedagogical issues that are important when teaching in an IVT classroom. y The students must also be oriented to the equipment.

A. Feelings of Alienation
y The teacher must make extra effort to include students at the remote sites in the discussion and learning activities, and try to develop rapport with them. y A little humor goes a long way in helping everyone feel more at ease. y If possible the instructor should visit each remote site at least once during the course and broadcast from this site. y Involve the students in group projects that cross sites or by having the students on a chat room where they are guided by the teacher to interact with each other. y Of all the ITV technology affords the most normal interaction because the teacher and the learner can see and hear each other.

B. Class Management
y It is desirable to email course materials to all students before the first class or have materials available on a course web site. y Examinations require logistic planning. y They must be aware that problems with technology are inevitable. y If possible classes should be videotaped so that if the home site class continues to fail, the remote sites can play the video later.

C. Use of Interactive Television

y ITV technology can be used to deliver information to college students, staff nurses, and patients. y Hospital conglomerates and consortiums can maximize the efficiency of some staff development programs by sending them to several sites at one time. y Programs for patients and clients in remote geographic area are beginning to grow.

Distance Learning Via the Internet

y Classes may be delivered via the internet and the web. y Such courses are expanding exponentially as academia, business, and healthcare organizations are all getting into the business of

distance learning and believe that online courses can be both learning and cost-effective.

A. Synchronous Versus Asynchronous Classes

y Synchronous online learning occurs when people interact in real time electronically via the internet or an intranet. y Asynchronous applications in which materials and prescribed activities are located on a webpage or a podcast that can be accessed at any time at the learners convenience. y The role of the teacher is to prepare learning materials, guide the learners, and keep them on track while providing support, motivation, and feedback.

B. Webcasting
y A newer and less-expensive alternative to ITV technology. y It is synchronous web-based, one-way audio, streaming video and multimedia technology. y The students sit at their personal computers in their homes, workplaces, or local libraries and re taught by an instructor on campus. y Students can see and hear the instructor and view all materials through the course web page. y They can ask questions by clicking on an ask button on the web page. y It is a technology that merges some of the best aspects of ITV classes with the advantages of online learning.

C. Podcasting
y An asynchronous web-based broadcast capable of conveying audio, picture, and video files. y The course information is distributed over the internet and then downloaded to a portable device or a desktop computer. y The chief advantage of podcasting is the portability. y The chief disadvantage is the fact that there is only one-way communication. y Healthcare faculty also uses this to show MRI or CT scan images or other images to the students.

A. Online Courses
y The theoretical framework often used to guide the development and implementation of online courses is CONSTRUCTIVISM. y Under this philosophy, rather than just receiving knowledge, learners build their own knowledge from the information and situations they encounter. y The teacher serves as their facilitator, providing information that relates to what the students already know and leading them to expand their knowledge through questioning. y Online courses are not only the avenue to constructive learning, but they are uniquely designed to enable such self-learning.

What are the ADVANTAGES and DISADCANTAGES of Online Courses? A. Advantages

y Access to classes is even greater than with telecommunication classroom since the learner does not have to leave home, except for clinical learning. y Convenience is maximized in asynchronous learning formats because the learner can learn anywhere and anytime. y They cause participants to be active constructivist learners. y Learners can use all modules or can skip over familiar materials, spend more to me on unfamiliar and choose the sequence that fits his/her learning style.

B. Disadvantages
y y y y y Have little problems on generating interactions among learners. Clarifications and feedback are immediately not given. Some learners do not own or have any ready access to computers. Some have computers that may not be adequate. It is time consuming compared to traditional classes.