Distance Learning Essay

Distance Learning Essay
Distance Learning
Distance education can trace its roots to 1840 when Sir Isaac Pitman, the English inventor of
shorthand, came up with an idea for delivering instruction to a potentially limitless audience:
correspondence courses by mail. By the 1900s, the first department of correspondence teaching was
established at the University of Chicago. The founding of the United Kingdom's Open University in
1969 marked a significant development of the newest phase of distance learning involving a
mixed–media approach to teaching (Matthews 1999).
Distance education takes place when a teacher and student are separated by physical distance and
technology (in the form of print, voice, video and/or data) is used to bridge the...show more content...
Despite the large volume of written material concentrating on distance learning, the amount of
original research is quite limited. A closer look at the research that exists suggests that one should be
cautious in accepting these findings at face value. The most significant problem is that the overall
quality of the original research is questionable and renders many of the findings inconclusive
(Merisotis & Phipps 1999).
There are four shortcomings of the original research:
Much of the research does not control for extraneous variables and therefore cannot show cause and
effect. Most of the studies do not use randomly selected subjects. The validity and reliability of the
instruments used to measure student outcomes and attitudes are questionable. Many studies do not
adequately control for the feelings and attitudes of the students and faculty – what educational
research refers to as "reactive effects."
(Ibid.)
A report from the Institute for Higher Education Policy also argues that the many articles and papers
published on distance education aren't as useful as they could be. The Institute claims that distance
education research often fails to use randomly selected subjects; it focuses too heavily on individual
courses rather than the effectiveness of entire academic programs delivered via technology; and it
pays too little attention to whether the limitations of "virtual libraries" constrict the academic
direction of
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Distance Learning
"As we enter the Information Age, more and more adults from various economic and cultural
backgrounds, already in the workplace, and with families are seeking to educate themselves to keep
up in their careers" (Duderstadt, J., 1999). Whether that is through Higher Education, the university
system, or their company's Intranet is usually dependent upon the learner. The ways that they seek to
educate and re–educate themselves to stay abreast with current trends in their jobs is the topic of this
paper, Distance Learning. Many of these non–traditional students are looking to advance their
careers through education by non–traditional means. They may have constraints that keep them from
attending a structured...show more content...
In this paper, I will define the term Distance Learning, give a brief history of distance learning, note
the benefits and the disadvantages of this type of instruction, and explain how Instructional
Technology plays a role in this learning program.
Definition and History of Distance Learning
In order to discuss the history of Distance Learning it is important to briefly define it. Distance
Learning is teaching and learning without the constraints of time and space. Distance Learning is not
a new concept; it has been around since the 1840's when Sir Isaac Pitman delivered instruction on
shorthand via correspondence courses by mail. "By the early 1900's the first department of
correspondence teaching was established at the University of Chicago. In Australia, the University of
Queensland established a Department of External Studies in 1911" (Matthews, 1999). In 1969, the
United Kingdom established Open University. This institution had a tremendous impact on distance
education because it used a multi–media approach to teaching. The multi–media materials used at
Open University consisted of constructed texts; audio and video materials; radio and television
broadcasts supplemented the already existent tapes and filmstrips. "The British Open University
pioneered distance education on a massive international scale"(Matthews, 1999). Open University is
available to all the British colonies and

Essay on Distance Education
Distance Education
Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century, advances in technology have
provided people with the means for a new form of education, known today as distance education. In
recent decades, the wondrous array of electronic communications technology has given distance
education new status. It seems to have something to offer almost everyone. It is now a normal form
of education for those in employment, for homemakers and for those who choose not to go to
schools or universities for the purpose of learning. In response to this interest, institutions of distance
education attempt to provide for their students a complete education system, from enrollment to
examination, that is equal in...show more content...
And in a discussion of distance education definitions, Keegan (1986) defines distance education
proposing five criteria: (1) the quasi–permanent separation of teacher and learner throughout the
length of the learning process; this distinguishes it from conventional face–to–face education. (2) the
influence of an educational organization both in the planning and preparation of learning materials
and in the provision of student support services; this distinguishes it from private study and
teach–yourself programs. (3) the use of technical media; print, audio, video or computer, to unite
teacher and learner and carry the content of the course. (4) the provision of two–way communication
so that the student may benefit from or even initiate dialogue; this distinguishes it from other uses of
technology in education. (5) the quasi–permanent absence of the learning group throughout the
length of the learning process sot that people are usually taught as individuals and not in groups,
with the possibility of occasional meetings for both informative and socialization purposes. Simply
put, distance education can be seen as formal instruction in which a majority of the teaching occurs
while the educator and learner are at a distance from one another. Distance education is carried out
by an organization that develops educational media to unite teacher and learner and provides
appropriate

Distance Learning
Currently, computers already play a prominent role in many aspects of our lives from personal
works to education fields. The Internet can also be invaluable in linking people culturally and
socially (Hacker & Capehart, 1999). Geographically and historically, most universities in the world
offer distance learning to students through the Internet, and the distance learning is becoming a new
trend of the 21st academy. In particular, computers will permit a degree of
individualization–personalized coaching or tutoring (Gardner, 2000: 31). Through easily accessible
teaching communication online, distance learning comes to replace our support problems in
traditional campus learning. The distance learning is an educational...show more content...
Those who don't want to waste hours hanging around on campus can use flexible schooling on the
Internet. For instance, according to Lehrer's study (1998), one of ITT's students can take care of her
family and do her studying before her child wakes up. In addition, currently many campuses have
developed online education course work. Some of them offer distance education for their students
during summer or vacation, not in regular semester. The Standford University offers 30 courses
designed for a master degree in teaching English and is geared toward employed professionals.
Thus, the slogan of distance learning "learning anytime, anywhere, at any rate (Uhlig, 2002:672)" is
a main advantage in online education. With the help of advanced technology, students not only get
lectures from a computer monitor in real time but also choose the time of day that they would like to
participate in the course.
Another strength of the distance learning is the collaboration between the instructor and students.
According to Hofmann (2002), some tools or programs such as bulletin boards, chat rooms,
electronic mail, and white boards all encourage students to communicate with their instructor and
each other. Online communication brings students' broad and interesting opinions into the class
bulletin without any hesitation or anxiety. Those who have high anxiety about face–to–face talk or
communication in front

Essay on Distance Learning
Distance Learning
In recent years, there has been a trend in the way that many major institutions of higher learning
have been teaching their students. This change of pace in the education world is what is known as
distance learning. Distance learning is the form of schooling that can be done over the Internet, and
never actually being forced to be present in a classroom or even on the campus. According to Joel
Snell, correspondence courses were the predecessors to what we now know as distance learning
(258). Many people say that distance education is the future of our nations' education, however there
are many arguments against the wide spread establishment of distance learning programs. Although
distance learning may...show more content...
Another problem that arises with distance learning would most definitely be the level of retention.
Many of the colleges and universities that are experimenting with the implementation of distance
learning have found that the level of retention for distance learners is less than what it would be
in comparison to the retention level when dealing with classrooms. In an article written by
Mariani, the dean of distance learning at Brevard Community College says, "That students who
liked this method of learning, either out of convenience or necessity, would take a course online,
but our retention levels were significantly lower than in a traditional classroom (7)." Some
reasons for the drop off in retention for distance learning programs are the lack of time, loss of
motivation, and also, no longer can afford to take these courses. At any given time, a person who
is working and trying to take college level courses at the same time may become overwhelmed by
either one of the aspects in their life, and thus no longer have the time or motivation to continue their
studies. The affordability of distance learning will always be a concern for many. According to
Lynnette Porter, a distance learner must pay the standard fee to take a

Online Distance Learning Essay
Online Distance Learning
Throughout the past few decades, online distance learning has become a prevalent method of
teaching. Through the use of technology, the field of education has been slightly altered to fit the
needs of both the educators and their pupils, by developing a communication system. For example,
creating email addresses and generating websites, where the teacher and student can interact. The
development of online distance learning is beneficial to the future of education because it provides
more opportunity for students.
What exactly does "online distance learning" mean? "A type of education where students work
independently and communicate with faculty and other students via computer based communication"
...show more content...
Along with distance learning comes flexibility, convenience, and reliability. For example, there are
never interruptions because the class is web based and students can complete assignments based on
their individual schedules. "Online education is possibly the biggest event in American intellectual
life in the past forty years," stated Gerald A. Heeger. This statement expresses how significant
distance learning has become in society.
Contrary to the advantages of distance learning there are a few, minor drawbacks to this style of
learning. Unfortunately, virtual campuses are based on economic profit rather than educational
purposes. "Online Professors can't witness student's body language. If I can't see the faces, I can't
know anything about them" (Vicchio, Stephen). Since there is no face–to–face communication,
instructors cannot see the student's reactions, which can result in confusion among the subject being
discussed. In contrast to the traditional classroom setting, which teaches students to interact with one
another, distance learning unfortunately takes away this value. Sitting in front of a computer,
usually surrounded by family, does not allow the student to practice social learning. "As children
grow up in an

Abstract
As the Internet becomes increasingly popular, so do online classes. Last year alone, there was a
13% increase in registration for distance learning classes throughout the public university system.
(Beverly Creamer, 2003) It is now possible for people to learn conveniently from home or office.
People that want to go to school can do so now because scheduling and geographic location does not
matter with online classes because the class course is brought to the student rather than the student to
the course.
Is distance learning as effective as classroom based courses? This study will compare questions asked
to students that have taken both online and classroom–based courses to determine the effectiveness
of online courses in...show more content...
5. What is your approximate GPA for the course?
5 New Questions for Online Class Survey
1. Is this your first online course?
2. Compared to a classroom–based course, was this course more or less difficult?
3. Compared to a classroom–based course, was the experience better or worse?
4. Compared to a classroom–based course, would you rate the quality of this course better or worse?
5. Would you take another online courses or recommend online courses to peers?
To maintain commonality between course curriculums and to have an accurate base line for
comparing online verses classroom based course, a few details need special attention. First the same
textbook should be used. This will ensure that the foundation for the course work will be the same.
Similar students should also be used, if possible. This is so that engineering graduate students are
compared to engineering graduate students instead of freshman art major students. Lastly one
teacher should teach both the online and classroom based course. Keeping these three details
common among courses means the only difference is the course delivery method. The course
delivery method is what is to be studied.
Possible Results
There are a few possible outcomes. Students could either believe that online

Essay about Distance Learning
Distance Learning Many institutions of higher education are experimenting with changes having to
do with class offerings. According to Keegan, "It is not easy to define distance education." An early
descriptive definition states that distance education learners are usually taught as individuals and not
in groups (Rossman 8). Distance education can be thought of as instructional delivery that does not
constrain the student to be physically present in the same location as the instructor. Distance learning
is a newly emerging trend that many institutions are taking advantage of. At the present, this type of
learning is primarily used for those people who cannot attend courses on a campus. Distance learning
is just another sign...show more content...
According to Tessler, "Neither the entire world nor any one nation can be healthy and thrive while
large percentages of people lack adequate education for health care, jobs, and survival." Frequently
emerging distance–learning programs have many great attributes that are important in the
ever–changing society. Some of the main goals of these emerging programs include: Enriching
face–to–face teaching, upgrading the qualifications and skills of teachers, providing instruction
where not enough teachers are available locally, and providing instruction where teachers or
education cannot be provided (qtd. in Rossman 27).
Our school systems are always suffering for funds and always looking for quality classes and
quality educators. Distance learning programs can offer education to a large population of
people. The cost of quality distance learning programs versus the cost of attending a university is
less also. Distance learning programs are easily accessible in many different ways and can be
altered to accommodate the different lifestyles of people today. Distance learning programs are
great in that they offer a wide variety of classes to those people who normally would not have the
time or financial ability to earn a degree at a regular institution.
There are hidden barriers that have been found while trying to implicate distance education

Distance Learning Essay

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