Teaching and Distance EducationChapter 6

Presented By: Ms. Yohana Lopez

CET_578

Quality Instruction at a Distance: Coal Slurry Ponds

Distance Learning can be as effective as the History Channel’s “Coal Slurry Ponds’ program.” This program present those ponds used by coal mines to hold water runoff from coal cleansing operations mainly in the coal mining regions of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, in an informative, persuasive, and entertaining manner. Distance Learning can show “Best Teaching Practices” being presented in an informative, interesting, and inspiring manner that captive the learners attention and keep then engage and motivated.

Teaching The Distant Learner

Nevertheless, Distance Learning has become an effective learning approach, there are six faculty concerns that arouse after the shift in location suggesting the student is not in a single setting, whereas a shift in time implies that the instruction is not “LIVE.” Concern 1: Faculty size and job security.

Concern 2: Quality of distance education.Concern 3: Interactivity in distance education.Concern 4: Plagiarism.Concern 5: Assessment and dishonesty.Concern 6: Credits, clock hours, and student contact requirements.

From Teacher-Centered to Student-Centered Learning

Student-centered learning Dewey’s idea were expanded by Knowles (1980) into ways to approach adults in learning settings as self directed learners who expected to be engage. This approach to learning fits well into online distance education environments that demands that students become engaged in the learning process.

Teacher-centered learning has been shifted from the video-based technology where the teacher lectured and the student listened, to coaching due to the demands that the student become engaged in the learning processTransformation between Teacher-centered and student-centered• From lecturing to coaching• From taking attendance to logging on• From distribution of requirements to connect learning• From credit hours to performance standards• From competing to collaborating• From library connection to network connection• From passive to active learners• From textbooks to customize materials

Just-in-Time Learning

This is a common phrase used by trainers in private businesses, but it fits Distance Learning as well.

Just-in-Time Learning makes work-related instructions available for new employees who need to gain skills or as a refresher for those who has been working on a task for a period of time, and for those who need to explore their options for solutions.

Distance Learning vs. Distributed Learning

Distance Learning Distributed Learning

Much online learning activity involves students and instructors who continue to meet at least part of the time in conventional classroom settings.

Illustrates how the learner-centered educational model is being implemented in today’s schools and universities.

Learning takes place independently of place and time, allowing students to absorb the content from a distance.

It is similar to distance learning but it customize learning environments to better fit different learning styles may be traditional classroom-based courses, traditional distance learning courses, or to create Wholly virtual classrooms. (Technology usage to teach)

Aspects of Instructions in DL

Elements that create a learning environment that facilitate students learning.

• Content is organized and sequenced with an orientation to the prescribed outcome.

• The content is closely align with the curriculum of professional standards.

• The design of the instruction is the instructor’s level of comfort.• The lecture is being used less as a method of instruction.

Structuring the Instruction Guidelines

•Communication with students• Collaboration among students• Active learning experiences• Prompt feedback• High expectations• Respecting diversity

Structuring the Instruction

Principles to develop distance learning courses

Organization of the Instruction

The Syllabus to Ensure Communication

Creating the learning community

Facilitating Active Learning Practices

Using Instructional Materials to Assist Learning

Addressing Assessment

Instructional Methods

The instructor needs to determine the appropriate instructional method to deliver the course and is responsible for the learning environment of the instructional site. This should include the strategies that engage learners in an active learning experience technology based, combining techniques and being creative.

Range of Instructional Methods

Application of Instructional Methods to Distance InstructionThe type of instructional setting will indicate the appropriate choices

for instructional methods. There are two environments that suggest the need for careful design of instruction: Synchronous: Is a television-based or audio/video

teleconferencing environment in which classroom instructional approaches can be incorporated. Lectures of short duration, small and large group discussions, and hands-on activities can fit this audio-video components.

Asynchronous: Since this is not a face-yo-face instruction, strategies such as problem-based learning, collaboration, and student-led discussions work well in asynchronous settings.

Technology Considerations

Offers components that structure the resources for delivery. Nevertheless, there are some instructors that elect not to use all of the resources, there are other that have found it to be valuable in helping the students to be engage in their learning. In addition testing resources are available and automatically placed in the gradebook, and the students course syllabus, students assignments, and communication are manage from the server.

Course Management System

There are a number of issues related to designing a distance learning course. Guide students at the beginning Communicate regularly Assignments and Grading Plagiarism

Managing Distance Learning courses

Policies Issues Related to Distance Teaching

Offers components that structure the resources for delivery. Nevertheless, there are some instructors that elect not to use all of the resources, there are other that have found it to be valuable in helping the students to be engage in their learning. In addition testing resources are available and automatically placed in the gradebook, and the students course syllabus, students assignments, and communication are managed from the server. Academic

Faculty Issues Compensation and Support Qualifications

Intellectual Freedom and Ownership / Property Rights

Faculty who invest time into the design and development of distance coursework, faces issues in the their effort in designing this courses.

Course Integrity Accreditation Curriculum and Standards

Course Rigor Calendar and Schedule Student Support Access to Resources Special Services

Institutional

Fiscal and Governance: Which involves tuition rates, special fees, full-time equivalences, state-mandated regulations related to funding, service area limitations, out-of-district versus-in-district relationship, and tuition disbursement between some other more.

Geographical Service Area: School had clearly designated the areas they served such as districts, counties, or regions. This needs to be modified when designing a distance learning course. Governance (school board) is responsible for courses delivery at a distance so policies concerning this issue need to be revised and clarified before a problem emerges.

There are policies related to the delivery for courses and program study.

Legal Issues

Copyright: It is imperative that the instructor and students understand the copyright laws and policies. Copyright does not restrict from using materials, what is important is to understand the restrictions related to the use of copyrighted materials.

Plagiarism: The instructor has the responsibility to address this issue in the syllabus. Students needs to understand the difference between quotations and paraphrase, and how to present their work with the appropriate quotations.

Technical Policies

Reliability of Resources:

Resources available to students are those to consider in the instructional environment. The tools and materials students will be using, and will be available for them to use as instructional support in laboratories, libraries, and for easy communication with instructors and peers.

Technology Requirement:

The use of technology in distance learning is essential, having in mine that students will access the course asynchronously. The students will access the class at different times so the instructor needs to become familiar with the hardware and the degree of technology to use them effectively. To begin with, the instructor needs to master the basic operation of the equipment, by doing that will ensure that all of the switching buttons will operate smoothly.

Conclusions

Teaching at a distance can be a pleasurable experience for everyone involved, instructor and students alike. Keeping it interesting, and motivating the learners to remain active, can make it valuable learning experience as well as fun.

The End