Texas Tech

EDIT 5370
MIDTERM
Jessica Clough

The first half of the course has covered topics related to the definition,
history, research, and communication methods of distance education. Information
on each of these topics was presented within each module. Below is a summary of
each module and an overview of what was taught.

Module 2- Historical Background

Module 2 focused on the evolution, definition, and the historical
perspectives of distance education. The definition of distance education has
changed and evolved over time. The text refers to distance learning as the
teaching and learning in which the instructor and learners are involved in
interactive instructional settings which are separated geographically and by time
and place. Whatis.com provides the following definition of distance learning.
Distance learning, sometimes called e-learning, is a formalized
teaching and learning system specifically designed to be
carried out remotely by using electronic communication.
Because distance learning is less expensive to support and is
not constrained by geographic considerations, it offers
opportunities in situations where traditional education has
difficulty operating. Students with scheduling or distance
problems can benefit, as can employees, because distance
education can be more flexible in terms of time and can be
delivered virtually anywhere.

I have a collogue who makes her students learn the school song
during the first week of school then quizzes them on Friday. She tells them
that to understand where you are going, you must first understand where
you have been. The same holds true for distance education. It is important
that we understand the history of distance education in order to appreciate
the current state of it.
Instructional designers may be faced with the task of modifying traditional
face-to- face courses to a new format such as online or hybrid. Simonsons theory
of distance education says that regardless of how the learner comes to achieve the
course objectives, it is important that they are able to achieve the objective and not
all experience will be is identical.
All students learn differently which makes distance education hard for some
but by following this theory you are allowing students to receive the same quality of
education that one would receive in a traditional classroom setting.

Module 3- Research

Module 3 focused on reading and interpreting research related to distance
education. Research has been a part of distance education for some time. During
this module I looked at several research articles with dates as far back at 30 years
ago. Researching and understanding distance learning is important and has been
instrumental in the development of distance education throughout the years.
Research digs deeply into areas that as educators we need to better understand in
order to provide distance education students the best possible learning experience.
Current research shows the importance of distance learning in student success and
in high performance. Without research on distance education we may not have the
information needed to make online learning a successful learning experience for
students.


Module 4- Asynchronous Communication

Module 4 focused on the process of evaluating different learning
technology for uses in various learning situations. Distance education
technology serves several purposes: to deliver instruction, promote sharing
of information, and allowing active interaction between participants. Keeping
students actively involved in the learning experience in imperative in order to
have a high degree of student success in the course. Active engagement can
take on many forms including teacher-student, student-student, or student-
teacher interaction.
Wikipedia defines asynchronous learning as a student-centered
teaching method that uses online learning resources to facilitate information
sharing outside the constraints of time and place among a network of
people. Online tools used to support asynchronous learning include but are
not limited to; email, discussion boards, wikis, blogs, and learning
management systems.
Asynchronous tools enable communication and collaboration through
a different place-time mode. These tools allow others to connect at their own
convenience.
During this module my partner and I investigated two tools;
VoiceThread and Trello. The following table illustrates our findings:

Tool Summary Users Application

VoiceThread

Online application
which allows you to
place media such as
images, videos,
documents, and
presentations at the
center of
asynchronous
conversation.

Allows people to have
conversations and
make comments on
the presentation
through the use of
text, a microphone, a
phone. Or an
uploaded audio file.


Anyone needing to
create a
collaborative
presentation.

Educators and
corporate.


VoiceThread
benefits teachers by
allowing them the
opportunity to
provide a lecture for
when students are
absent, have
special needs, or
when the teacher is
not at school.

VoiceThread
combines the
benefits of a
meeting with the
convenience of a
conversation
through email.
Trello


Trello is a free
project management
application which
allows you to move
"cards" around to
organize thoughts.

Trello can be used to
organize projects
through the use of
cards, boards, and
checklists.


Anyone ranging
from educators,
business
professionals,
industry, and
individuals
wanting help with
organization.


Trello can be
utilized for lesson
planning,
managing projects,
and staying
organized on a day
to day basis.

Collaboration tools
make it easy to
share your ideas.

I believe that asynchronous tools are the most important tools to be
used in distance education. Asynchronous tools allow for the teacher to
participate in the course.
Asynchronous tools possess the advantage of being able to involve
multiple people from multiple places around the world. The tools allow for
collaborative knowledge to be more easily shared. The primary drawback of
asynchronous technology is that it requires discipline to use the technology
effectively and efficiently. Also, asynchronous tools may feel too informal or
impersonal to someone who prefers synchronous technology.

Module 5- Synchronous Communication

Module 5 focused on similar outcomes as module 4 but utilized synchronous
technologies. Synchronous tools enable real-time communication and collaboration
in a same time-different place mode. Synchronous tools possess the advantage of
being able to engage people instantly and at the same point in time. The primary
drawback of synchronous tools is that, they require same-time participation. Also,
they tend to be costly and may require significant bandwidth.
Wikipedia defines synchronous learning as a learning environment in which
everyone takes part at the same time. Examples of common synchronous tools are
Skype and various web conferencing programs.
My partner and I evaluated two synchronous learning tools; WebEx and
GoTo Meeting. Unlike the tools VoiceThread and Trello, video conferencing was a
new experience for me. Coming from the education industry I have had very few
interactions with synchronous learning tools. Below is a summary of our findings.













Tool Summary Users Application
WebEX

WebEx is an online
meeting tool.

Includes a plethora
of features such as a
whiteboard,
document and
desktop sharing
abilities, and a
private chat tool.


Employers.
Anyone needing
to provide a
meeting with
participants who
are in multiple
locations.



Online meetings,
trainings, and video
conferencing.
GoTo
Meeting

Go To Meeting is an
online meeting tool for
participants who are in
different locations.

Employers
Members of a team
who need to meet
but are separated
by time or location.


Supports online
meetings, desktop
sharing, and video
conferencing.
References
Asynchronous Learning. (2014, May 31). Retrieved October 13, 2014, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asynchronous_learning

Rouse, M. (2005, September 1). What is distance learning. Retrieved October
14, 2014, from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/distance-learning-e-learning

Simonson, M. (2000). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of
distance education. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Merrill.

Synchronous Learning. (2014, May 13). Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_learning