Abstract
This paper attempts to identify some of the challenges impeding the effective implementation of distance learning. It explain the characteristics of distance learning and how emerging technology can be effectively employ to bring about the desired learning outcomes among learners. The study highlight the Pros and Cons of distance learning and suggestions for maximizing it advantages was discussed.
Introduction
The term distance learning are interchangeably use as distance education, distributed learning, correspondent learning, web based learning and on-line learning. This and many other acronym are use to mean learning and teaching in which the teacher and the learners are at a different geographical location. According to Wikipedia definition of distance learning: it is a process of creating and providing access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance or both. Robinson (1997) define it as a teaching and learning system in which the teachers and learners are physically separated for some or all the time, and where learning materials take on some of the role of the traditional teacher. The Common Wealth of Learning (COL) in 2004 defines distance learning ‘as the delivery of learning or training to those who are separated mostly by time and space from those who are teaching or training. The teaching is done with a variety of mediating process to transmit content, to provide tuition and to conduct assessment or measure outcomes’ (Kutty &Siraj, 2007). Historically distance learning could be trace back to 1840 when Isaac Pitman taught shorthand in Great Britain via correspondence. In the 19th century, the emergent of postal services act as a catalyst for the th...
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In his article, “Can You Be Education from a Distance?”, James Barszcz effectively weighs the pros and cons of online education compared to the traditional method, while effectively supporting his position with factual information and statistics. While distance education proves to be convenient for students, Barszcz asserts that it eliminates valuable experiences necessary in order to get the most out of the material being learned.
The students who have the talent and desire to attend college but find themselves working full-time to provide for their families are the individuals whom may benefit the utmost from distance learning. This piece of technology gives them the ability to attend classes from the comfort of their homes. It may be that one income family where the mother or the father stays home to care for young children. The individual who does not have the ability to attend the traditional brick and mortar campus. Finally, that individual who is looking for a program that is not available in the town or city in which they
...that studies to measure differences in student performance should go beyond just grades. Therefore, additional studies have included outcomes including student involvement, and participation, cognitive engagement, technology self-efficacy, attitudes toward the technology employed, the usefulness of the technology, attitudes toward technology-mediated distance learning and the relative advantage and disadvantage of distance learning . In order to achieve learning most effectively, methods should include the use of rich media, interaction between students and instructors, and instructors who project positive attitudes.
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A myriad of schools around the world have successfully utilized the advancement of technologies to create more appropriate learning conditions for learners. Beldarrin (2006) stated that the evolution of technology encouraged distance educators to use new tools to launch better learning environments where learners are prepared to be life-long learners. With distance education, schools have been able to take in more students, but they do not need to expand their physical space. Adult learners believe distance education is more accessible and self-regulated. Among the distance education models, hybrid learning has become more popular because of its combination of...
Howland, J.L. & Moorse, J.L. (2002) Student Perceptions As Distance Learners In Internet-Based Courses. Distance Education 23(2): 183-195.
In a K-12 setting, distance learning or traditional learning requires careful planning that must take place in order for the educational process to work for the students. When we look at both forms of education there are still pros and cons to both. Although online learning has made a major impact in the world of education, many people have not accepted this form of education. One of the reason for their concerns is that students cannot get fast answers to their questions about the assignment from the teacher. Another concern is that the students cannot perform effectively in a group collaboration that is taking place online. Also, students may not effectively do their homework from an online program. Lastly, some families do not have the technology at home for online learning.
There have been many critics that strongly advocate against the use of distance learning in elementary schools. With the increased availability and choice of new technology, comes many new concerns about the quality of instruction and the threat it may pose to the already established methods of teaching. Many believe that this new teaching method may replace the existing classroom all together, and won’t give students the adequate face-to-face contact they need. Most critics fear that “ineffective face-to-face teaching methods could be made even worse when they become technology based” (Truell, 2001, p46). The computer and internet have become dominant distance learning technologies, and hold the potential to take away from the human aspect of learning, so students do not learn the proper social skills they need to develop early on. Children need to learn to interact with one another, and function properly in a social setting, they learn this primarily within the classroom, and if these classroom settings are altered by distance learning, then they will no learn how to function in the normal social school setting. Many critics also say that all schools do not have the appropriate technological support and infrastructure to make distance learning programs effective for students. Since all schools do not have the tools and financial means needed to establish and support effective distance learning programs, they would not be able to keep up with the advancing technology in education, and therefore their students would not receive the same advantages as other students in the schools around them (Ravaglia & Sommer, 2000). Greenwood (1998) states that schools using distance learning are just contracting out their educational responsibilities and that such courses result in the elimination of teaching jobs. He feels that by using distance learning to teach students, they are minimizing the teacher’s job of actually teaching the students and designing lesson plans, and therefore slowly eliminating the need for teachers in the classroom at all. It is thought that there is more emphasis being placed on teaching than learning, and as a consequence schools are using distance education as merely a means to extend the classroom walls . While the critics of distance learning feel that this is just a way for schools to educate students, and relieve themselves of their responsibilities, there has been even more substantial evidence that these programs improve the elementary curriculum, rather than replace it altogether.
Distance education offers students a convenient path to education. It is a way of learning that does not require a face-to-face interaction. The course curriculum for distance education can be given to the learner in two forms. Instruction can either be totally distance or hybrid which can be a combination of classroom and distance learning. There are issues that can affect this type of education such as technology and communication. This discussion will further examine the issue regarding the use of technology and its impact on distance education for nursing educators.
Distance learning or distance education is not a new concept. They are different definitions for distance education. All of them have one thing in common: facilitating learning.
Education that is provided at a distance is being improved daily. But what is distance education? According to the California Distance Learning Project (DLP) distance education is an instructional delivery system that connects learners with educational resources. Distance education provides access to education for students that are not enrolled in traditional face-to-face educational formats. The learner works alone or in a group at a location geographically separate from the instructor. Communication between the learner and the instructor can occur in a variety of formats, such as through e-mail
Online teaching is defined as any educational activity that requires a student to complete some learning or assessment activity via a personal computer and a connection to a network (Murdoch University Academic Council 1999). This network connection is usually to the Internet (Demirdjian 2002). It is a seen by the Murdoch University Academic Council as a teaching and learning technology, not a method of study (2002), but this depends on how it is to be used and by whom. For example, distance education student using online teaching would be more inclined to see it as a study method than a QUT student who uses online teaching to download and print lecture notes to attend a lecture on campus.
Distance learning, sometimes called e-learning, is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication. People could find out distance learning on the internet or searching form the school, sometimes teachers would introduce the best or the most credibility distance learning web. Such as class.com and University of Phoenix, etc. Distance learning is less expensive and is not constrained by geographic considerations; it offers opportunities in situations where traditional education has difficulty operating. Students with scheduling or distance problems can benefit, as can employees, because distance education can be more flexible in terms of time and can be delivered virtually anywhere. Under the unified leadership of the distance learning education, the modern distance learning education work gradual increase the number of school has now reached a certain scale. However, not every school or any distance learning education has clear idea for the modern education. Many people have differences understandings and it formed a big deviation. It can be said, for the purpose of developing the distance learning education and the hopes has not formed a consensus, which leads to very often difficult to form in the actual work force.
Every semester, millions of students in the US take at least one online class. In 2006, these numbers were estimated about 3.5 million. (The future 2) Back in the 1980s the online learning was limited only to watching previously recorded videos tapes has been used for some time and among other thing as well(2) but online learning has increased with technologies boost and stimulate. Some schools entirely offer their classes online only and the other have both online learning and traditional as well. On the other hand, the technology advancing has gave online learning more innovation in the way it is seen now. For instance, Khan Academic, founded by Salman Khan has been providing online Math tutors for most of all math levels. Student can easily