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last.updated 5.12.14

 

What is distance learning?

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Purpose

Today we will address the question, "What is distance learning?" to examine whether those who use this and similar terms are talking about the same experience. Likewise, we will examine whether the definitions in the readings hold up with the new delivery systems that Web 2.0 affords. Finally, we will use the topic of delivery to segue into a discussion of the affordances various media give us for teaching at a distance.

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Activity I

Everybody will log into Blackboard. In the groups below use the Group Discussion Boards to complete the following tasks

Group Members Tasks
1 Ryan, Kristina, Sarah,Laurie What is distance learning/education? What are the affordances of snail mail, email, and blogs for distance learning?
2 Shantal, Kelly, Daniel,Maury What is distance learning/education? What are the affordances of discussion boards, chat, mobile texting for distance learning?
3 Margie, Jenny, Suzanne, Carol What is distance learning/education? What are the affordances of telephone, television, radio, and video chat?

After 40 minutes, go to one or both of the other discussions, read through the responses and answer the following question: How has the evolution of technology changed the how distance education, especially online writing instruction is taught. You will respond to this question for 20 minutes.

To define distance learning/education, study the definitions that each of the authors of today's readings give. As you study the affordances, you will want to ask what does the technology allow you to do as a teacher? what does it not allow one to do as a teacher? Think about these questions both in general and as a writing teacher.

Please do not move to another media, such as talking, texting or chat to expedite the discussion; part of the purpose of using the Discussion Board is to examine the technology in practice. Each group will have 60 minutes to address these questions.

Discussion

We will discuss the following:

  • What questions did you have about the readings?
  • What is a good definition for distance learning/education today?
  • What can we learn from distance education's history? In Peter's articles, what attitudes and practices toward distance education still resonate today, which are different? Why do you think these changes have occurred?
  • What are the affordances that various media provide to teaching from a distance? specifically teaching writing from a distance?
  • On page 151 of Hantula and Pawlowicz, they quote Gilbert who states, "If you begin with a devise of any kind, you will try to develop the teaching program to fit that device." What strategies or heuristics would you recommend for the process of designing one's writing class that accounts for Gilbert's warning?
  • What did you like about using the discussion board to facilitate the discussion, especially synchronously? What was frustrating?

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