Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

Collaborative Training Environment

Challenge:

A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

 

Today’s workplace requires that individuals create and collaborate within the constraints of time and place. These needs have given way to technological advancements that allow for real-time communication among peers and co-workers who stay connected over the Internet (Beldarrain, 2006). Beldarrain (2006) also state that, “Blogs, wikis, and podcasts, as well as social software are emerging technologies that foster the sense of connectedness between the members of a group.” Wiki is an effective tool that is flexible enough to serve different purposes and can be adapted. Wiki allow individuals within corporate offices in different time zones and/or geography to upload, share, and edit information in documents form.

Distance learning must promote a continuing two-way communication among the staff in order to collaborate, participate, and support each other during the learning process. They must understand how to use the new automated staff information system in their workplace.The distance learning technology that I think will provide the best solution for the given challenge is Moodle.

Moodle is a Course Management System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It is a free web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites.

The focus of the Moodle project is always on giving educators the best tools to manage and promote learning, but there are many ways to use Moodle:

Supports real time web-based interactive activity modules such as forums and wikis that will build a collaborative community learning experience.
Features that allow it to scale to very large deployments and hundreds of thousands of students, yet it can also be used for a primary school or an education hobbyist
Used as a platform to conduct fully online courses, while some use it simply to augment face-to-face courses (known as blended learning).
User-friendly interface that makes the learning experience easy to use
Supports a variety of file formats such as multimedia videos, Flash including uploading standard content documents.
Provides online syllabus to build learning modules, make assignments and self-test questions.

Examples that showcase how technologies have been used in distance learning:

1. Teachers at a pubic school began using single Moodle features to solve individual problems. A speech teacher needed a way for students to turn in a series of speech drafts and outlines. She use Moodle by creating assignments with student drop boxes.
2. Another teacher was eager to use the ebook version of a textbook for the whole class. The publisher required that the resource only be available to the class that had purchased the book. This was easy to accommodate through Moodle by enrolling students in a course that had the ebook as a resource.
3. Practice What you Preach - Showcases from a Corportae Wiki Presentation. http://www.slideshare.net/slmader/practice-what-you-preach-showcases-from-a-corporate-wiki-presentation

 

 

Reference

Beldarrain, Y. (2006). Distance education trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student interaction and collaboration. Distance Education, 27(2),139–153.
Retrieve this article from the Academic Search Complete database in the Walden Library.

Moodle.http://moodle.org

Practice What You Preach - Showcases from a Corporate Wiki Presentation. http://www.slideshare.net/slmader/practice-what-you-preach-showcases-from-a-corporate-wiki-presentation

 

DISTANCE LEARNING

My Definition

In my opinion distance learning means convenience. In other words, learn anything anywhere using the Web. Distance learning is made convenient for homebound students, working parents, by saving money and time.

Text’s Definition

Distance learning is a growing trend in education and training and is rapidly transforming the field of instructional design. Distance education can be defined as formal education in which the learning group (teacher, students, resources) are separated by geography and, sometimes, by time” (Laureate Education, Inc.,). Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, (2012, p. 32) states, “Distance education was defined as institution-based, formal education where the learning group is separated, and where interactive telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources, and instructors”.

New information I learned this week

Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, (2012, p. 32) states, “There are four main components to the definition of distance education.  They are Institutionally Based, Separation of Teacher and Student,  Interactive Telecommunications,  and Sharing of Data, Voice, and Video(Learning Experiences).

• First component

 Institutionally Based- is what differentiates distance education from self-study.  The institution referred to be a traditional educational school or college, nontraditional institutions that offer education to students at a distance are increasingly emerging (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, 2012, p. 33).

• Second component

 Separation of Teacher and Student-This term is reference to Asynchronous distance education. Means that instruction is offered and students access it at separate times, or anytime it is convenient to them (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, 2012, p. 33).

• Third component

 Interactive Telecommunications-This term refers to the both synchronous and asynchronous communications.  It is important that learners be able to interact with each other, with resources of instruction, and with their teacher at the same time or at different times (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, 2012, p. 34).

•  Fourth component

Connection of learners, resources and Instructors- This area refers to the concepts of sharing data, voice, and video (Learning Experiences). Means that there are instructors who interact with learners and that resources are available that permit learning to occur (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, 2012, p. 34).

Future of distance learning

The vision I have for distance learning is technology is rapidly growing and becoming more advanced.                

My Mind Map







References
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.
Chapter 2, "Definitions, History, and Theories of Distance Education" (pp. 32–41 only)

 

                      

Welcome to My Blog!!!

Welcome my fellow classmates and visitors. This is a new learning process for me. I don’t mind helping others and I don’t mind others helping me. I believe that Distance Learning is very important in today’s society.  I am looking forward to working with each of you.   I wish everyone the best throughout this program. Again, thanks for visiting my blog.

-Minister Iva Dixon