ECDL Hellas
Dr. Ioannis Markassiotis
Training Manager
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Distance Learning
• What is distance learning?
• What does distance learning look like?
• Can effective learning occur within distance learning
environments?
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Distance Learning- Definition
“Structured learning that takes place
With or Without
the physical presence of the instructor”
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What is distance learning?
• Distance education takes place when teacher and student(s) are
separated by physical distance, and technology (i.e, voice, video,
data, and print), often in concert with face-to-face communications,
is used to bridge the instructional gap.
• Any time, any place, self-directed learning at a distance!
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Distance Learning
Training Models
Classroom
Online LIVE
Online ANYTIME
Tracking and Management
Content Parity
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Benefits to the Customer
Distance Learning works when customers:
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Don’t have the time to sit in ILT
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Want a combination of self study and instructor led training
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Want a more effective way to learn than traditional eLearning
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Want hands on experience
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Want the highest quality content and instruction available for online
learning
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Active Learning
• If you tell me, I will listen
• If you show me, I will see
• If you let me experience, I will learn.
Lao Tzu (6th Century BC)
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Distance Learning - Outline
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Need
Definitions
History
Delivery models
Opportunities
Barriers
Internet and the World-Wide-Web
Economic and social issues
Case Studies
Distance Learning – The need
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Any time, any place
Convenience
Asynchronous access
Remote locations
Distance Learning
- Definitions – 1
• Distance learning -- student and teacher separated in place and/or
time
• Asynchronous learning -- educational material may be accessed at the
student’s convenience
• Distance education -- the delivery of a complete course or program at
distance
• Multimedia courseware -- course material containing a variety of media
types, e.g., text, audio, graphics, video, animation
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Distance Learning
- Definitions – 2
• Distance learner -- the student receiving educational material at
distance
• Distance teacher -- the person primarily responsible for
developing and delivering the educational material
• Mentor -- a person responsible for assisting the distance learner
• Competency-based education -- assessment of knowledge
learned versus the accumulation of credits
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Distance Learning
- Definitions – 3
• Content provider -- the institution that “owns” the course
• Course broker -- the institution that “offers” the course
• Educational infrastructure provider -- the institution that provides
the services to develop and/or delivery courses at distance
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Distance Learning
Historical perspective
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Correspondence courses (1940’s to present)
Remote classroom facilities (1960’s to present)
Closed-circuit television networks (1960’s to present)
Video tape delivery (1980’s to present)
Satellite television (1980’s to present)
Video conferencing (1990’s)
Internet delivery (1990’s)
Distance Learning
The Providers
• Traditional universities
• Not for profit institutions, e.g.
– National Technological University (NTU)
– Western Governors’ University (WGU)
– Open University
• For profit institutions, e.g.
– University of Phoenix
– Open University
– ….
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Distance Learning
Types of programs
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Continuing education
Specialized training courses
Graduate courses and programs
Undergraduate courses
Distance Learning
The Five Dimensions
• Consider how a traditional face-to-face instructional process
could be facilitated in the same synchronous manner using the
Internet
• Five dimensions of the model can be identified as:
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Role (teacher, student),
Participant (individual, group)
Venue (specific, any)
Interaction (one-way, two-way)
Delivery (playback, live)
Distance Learning
Synchronous
Synchronous - Within synchronous learning; learning and teaching takes place
in real time (same time) while the trainer and learners are physically
separated from each other (place shift).
Examples include:
• listening to a live radio broadcast
• watching live a television broadcast
• audio/video conferencing
• Internet telephony
• online lectures
• two-way live satellite broadcast
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Distance Learning
Synchronous
A real-time, instructor-led online learning event in which all participants
are logged on at the same time and communicate directly with each
other. In this virtual classroom setting, the instructor maintains control
of the class, with the ability to "call on" participants.
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Distance Learning
Synchronous
• Advantages
– Live interaction—spontaneity, immediate reinforcement
– Shorter completion time
– High completion rates—optimizes pacing
• Disadvantages
– Schedule may be inconvenient
– Requires a dedicated facility
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Distance Learning
Delivery Models
Asynchronous - Within asynchronous learning; learning and teaching
takes place with time delay (time shift) and while the trainer and learner
are physically separated from each other (place shift).
Examples include:
• self paced courses taken via Internet or CD-Rom
• videotaped classes
• stored audio/video Web presentations or seminars recorded audio tapes
• Q & A mentoring
• reading e-mail messages
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Distance Learning
Asynchronous
Participants take asynchronous courses whenever it is convenient for
them. The interaction between instructors and participants occurs
intermittently with a time delay.
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Title
Distance Learning - Asynchronous
Characteristic for asynchronous learning is the fact that that the trainer
prepares the courseware material before the course takes place. The learner
is free to decide when he wants to study the courseware.
•Advantages
– Self-paced
– Anytime, anywhere
•Disadvantages
– No live interaction
– Longer completion times
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Distance Learning
Examples of asynchronous and synchronous learning
ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING
SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING
Fax
Telephone
E-mail
Screen Sharing
Knowledge Base
Chat
Newsgroups
Desktop Conferencing
Computer Based Training
Online seminar
Quick Reference Guide
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Distance Learning
A Common Theme
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Interaction
Communication
So, by definition,
e-learning is not meant to be a
solitary activity
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Blended Learning
There are two types of blended learning, which includes:
• E-Learning and Classroom Training
• Synchronous and Asynchronous E-Learning
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Blended Learning
What is blended learning?
… a solution that combines several different delivery methods,
such as collaboration software, Web-based courses
… learning that mixes various event-based activities, including
face-to-face classrooms,
live e-learning and self-paced learning.
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Distance Learning
Opportunities
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Increase access to education around the world
Improve the quality of learning
Expand the educational marketplace
Partnerships
Distance Learning
Internet and WWW
• One-third of all college courses make use of E-mail
• One-quarter draw on resources of the internet
• One-eighth make use of multimedia applications
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Distance Learning
Barriers - 1
• Costs
– Development
– Delivery
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Higher education funding models
Faculty and staff training
Existing policies and regulations
Security
Intellectual property issues
Access to resources
– Library
– Computers
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Distance Learning
Barriers - 2
• Quality control
– Market forces
– Accreditation
• Student assessment
– Delivery of examinations
– Assignments
– Projects
• Pedagogy
• Need for open, non proprietary standards
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Distance Learning
Social Issues
• Absence of peer groups
• Student support services
• Absence of campus life
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Reasons
for Distance Learning
• Provide access to those for whom conventional classes are
difficult or impossible
• Accommodate different learning styles
• Make learning more accessible
• Educate more people
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Who benefits
from Distance Learning
• People with old computers and limited band width connections
(i.e., those who are poor or live in rural areas)
– Text and markup rather than bitmap images of text (to increase download
speed)
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Accessible
Distance Learning Tips
Ensure accessible interaction among students and instructor
CAUTION: Real-time chat presents problems for people who
compose their thoughts slowly or use slow input methods, and not all
chats are accessible by screen readers. Chat sessions may be
optional, or you may provide alternative, equivalent assignments.
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Accessible
Distance Learning Tips
Ensure accessible interaction among students and instructor
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Chat products that offer both text and voice options, such as
MSN Messenger or Simple Software’s Chatterbox (combined
text and voice), are considered accessible and are well
supported by assistive technologies.
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How People Learn
Learning Method
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% Learned
Teach Others
90%
Learn by Doing
75%
Discussion Groups
50%
Demonstration
30%
Audio Visual
20%
Lecture
5%
Why online teaching
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Attractive to younger generation
Means of communication
Attractive to nontraditional and international students
Economically profitable
Strengths of Online Learning
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Any place, any time, anybody
Dynamic interaction among the participants
High quality dialogue
Student centered
Access to resources
Creative teaching
Weaknesses
of Online Learning
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Computer literacy
Accessibility to computers and internet
Student must be independent
Lack online teaching abilities
Successful online students
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Are highly motivated;
Are independent;
Are active learners;
Possess good organizational and time management skills;
Have discipline to study without external reminders; and
Can adapt to new learning environments
What students expect
from the teacher / facilitator
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The students should expect that the facilitator would create a learning
environment that utilizes life, work, and educational experiences as key
elements in the learning process in order to make it meaningful.
The facilitator should be able to present the curriculum in a manner that
allows the student to easily translate theories into applications.
The students should be given the proper tools to transcribe theory into
practice.
Every student should be given every opportunity to improve until the
learning experience comes to an end.
What students expect
from the teacher / facilitator
• Reasonable accommodations for the students' needs and desires
should be made.
• The facilitator should solicit feedback from the students and listen
throughout the entire process.
• The facilitator should be concerned about the students' success.
• The facilitator should keep students aware of where they stand
with respect to the course evaluation process on a regular basis
(i.e. weekly updates of what has been turned in and what is
missing).
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What students expect
from the teacher / facilitator
• The facilitator should give the student timely and quality feedback on
student contributions to discussion, homework, and quizzes.
• The student should expect little or no lecturing. Lecturing yields marginal
results in the online environment.
• The student should not be subjected to tests requiring memorization.
Case analysis would be more appropriate.
• The student should be treated politely and with respect.
• The facilitator should be online everyday (at a minimum 5 of 7 days).
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The main components
of an online course
• Syllabus
– Course outline
– Objectives
– Resources
– Requirements and grading
– Submitting assignments
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The main components
of an online course
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Schedule (calendar)
Units /lectures
Forum (message/discussion board)
Group work
Drop box
Tests/quizzes
Grade book
Instructional strategies
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Group Work
Discussion
Project
Lecture
Collaborative Learning
Self-Directed Learning
Case Study
Forum
Distance Learning
Discussion
On what topics would you like to have e-learning courses
developed?
For each topic, let’s discuss some ways you can make it
engaging.
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Distance Learning
Thank you for participating in today’s
discussion.
QUESTIONS
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