Distance Learning

New Faculty Orientation

Feb. 25, 2004

Cindy Vinson

Distance Learning• What is distance learning?• How many students take distance learning classes?• How does a course become a distance learning

course?• Who takes distance learning courses?• Why teach distance learning courses?• What tools are available for distance learning and

web-enhanced instruction?• How do I best work with distance learning?• Where is the future direction of the program?

What is Distance Learning?

• Over 50% of the instruction is delivered with the instructor and student are not in the same physical space. (Usually asynchronous as well.)

• Television courses

• Online courses

• Tele-web

Distance Learning Enrollment

• Fall 2001 – 578• Fall 2002 – 922• Fall 2003 – 1003• Fall 2004 – 1375• Fall 2005 – 1546• Even with overall college enrollment

declining distance learning enrollment grows!

How many students take distance Learning Courses?

DL Fall 01 to Fall 05

0500

100015002000

Fall01

Fall02

Fall03

Fall04

Fall05

Semester

Num

ber

of S

tudents

Series1

Distance Learning Fall 05

• 41 Online courses• 28 Telecourses• About 25 web-

enhanced courses

How does a course become a distance learning course?

• Most go through Curriculum Review Committee Curriculum Review Committee

• New course requires new course outline and additional distance learning outline

• Current course requires Distance Learning Outline

• Start with a web-enhanced class first!

Who takes a distance learning course?

• CSU – UC looking to fulfill general ed.

• Out of state (country) students

• Workers in the area wanting to avoid the commute

• Single parents

• Technically sophisticated

• Everyone else

Why teach a distance learning course?

• Broaden access for students

• Expand professional opportunities and skills

• Flexibility in scheduling

• Course development

What tools are available?

• Manila great for web-enhanced and as a “starter tool”

• Blackboard course management system

• Angel Learning (new LMS!!)

• AccuLearn

• Test Pilot

How do I best work with distance learning?

• Read/respond to e-mail

• Call ext. 5541

• Distance Learning Mission College

• Distance Learning Coordinator Web Site

• Willing to respond to students via e-mail

• Willing to use web resources

Web Resources

• Schedule of Classes

• Web services

• Faculty resources

What is the future for distance learning at Mission?

• Focus on learning and not distance!!

• Support an LMS for all classes!

• Set of tools for communication, testing, learning, calendar, grade book, collaboration and integrated with Datatel our student information system

Angel Learning