Methods: What Leads to Successful Teaching and Learning in a Distance

Environment

I. Developing “Good” Teachers

What Constitute a “Good” Teacher?

• Content Knowledge- strong knowledge of the subject matter• Structured Instructional Approach

- adopt a structured, planned approach to instruction or constructivist approach

• Pedagogical Content Knowledge- type of knowledge that is unique to teachers, and is based on the manner in which teachers relate their pedagogical knowledge (what they know about teaching) to their subject matter knowledge (what they know about what they teach)

• Knowledge of how students learn- good understanding of child development and learning• Efficacy

- deals with attitudes, beliefs and perceptions

II. Professional Development

Professional development should:

• Be competency-based• Model the exact behaviors • Focus on deepening teacher’s

content knowledge and pedagogical skills

• Collaborate among teachers• Use information related to

student learning for teacher development• Include opportunities for

practice, research and reflection

III. Instructional Design

Reminder:Whatever the distance

education model, it must be in a specific set

of learning objectives

Characteristics of Good Instructional Design

• Grounding in an understanding of the learning process• Grounding in an understanding

of the needs of adult learners

• Links between theory and practice• Flexible design•Accessibility

IV. Instruction

Types and Characteristics of Learner-Centered

Instruction• Learner-centered approach

(Collaborative Learning)- team members need one another to complete their task

- each team member is responsible for certain part

of the task- team members help one another understand how learning occurred

• Project Oriented Learning- it builds on student’s knowledge or interest- it focuses on an issue of

some complexity – project- it is typically performance- based

• Inquiry-based Learning- it begins with a learner’s inquiry- learners pose explanations of what they observed- learners analyze data, formulate explanations from evidence

V. Assessing Distance Learning

Several Strategies for Strengthening Assessment in

Distance Education

• Develop standards as determinants of success• Measure instructional

performance, not simply knowledge

VI. Preparing Distance

Instructors

What Skills Do Distance Instructors Need?

• Content Knowledge• Establish an online presence• Reading and writing skills• Effective communication• Ability to manage learners

Thank you! May God

bless us all!