Distance Education

Can we debunk some of the myths?

Robert Aucoin,Distance Education Co-ordinator, ATL

Robert.aucoin@ualberta.ca

What is Distance Education?

Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance it accumulates in the form of facts.

Henry Adams

History

Historically known as correspondence coursesmatchbook coursesRapid Results College

Distance Education Defined

Trying to define distance education is rather like trying to define art or science….we all have a sense of what it is when we see it but we would be hard pressed to accurately define it.Learners and teachers are separated by geography and/or time.

Distance Education Myths

Distance education is about technologyDistance education is about replacing professors http://e-education.mtt.ca/Distance education is about saving/making money http://www.polycom.com/streams/streamstation_overview/index.htmDistance education is about administration

http://129.128.5.72/main/index.jhtml

So what is distance learning about?

Distance learning is more about teaching and learning than about technology

–Moore

Distance learning is about access and equality for learners

The first ATM was located inside a bank and was available only during regular banking hours

Benefits of distance education - student

FlexibleInteractiveResponsiveSupportiveTechnological

Benefits - Professor

A new way of looking at his/her course materialA chance to work with more mature studentsA learning opportunity

Challenges - students

Resistance to changeTechnological challenges Self-disciplineFeelings of remoteness / resentment

Challenges - Professors

All preparation work is “up front”FlexibilityOrganizational problemsFeelings of outside interferenceWorries about technology being “rammed down their throats”

Which technology is Best?

52 research reports over 80 years say “No significant difference” in learning

Which Technology is Best?What you may not know: Compare single mode delivery to multiple-mode/hybrid delivery plan across a degree program

3 year study at the University of Tennessee with statistically significant resultsEarly Data: Multimode delivery is MORE effective than any single delivery mode

• Better retention rates• Better and more consistent grades

Why?Synergy: Multiple mode delivery plan is more likely to

address learner’s needs

Sacred cows

We’ve invested $X in this distance education program and we haven’t made any money yet. What’s wrong?Distance education is ok for other people, but, it will never work in my faculty/department/subject/class.

More sacred cows

The old technology worked just fine in the past. I don’t see why we should change it.Make this as easy as possible because I don’t want to learn anything new.This technology isn’t working. Why bother having it if it never works?

Concluding remarks….

Distance education is not for everyone, but, it works and it works well Distance education is not a panacea, but, it does solve problems in education and trainingDistance education is not all things to all people, but, it provides access to those who otherwise would be denied

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

Alvin Toffler