Walker, Christopher

Internet-Based Distance Education

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the structure and functions of the internet and describe the many ways it can be used in a distance education environment

Chapter Goal

Chapter ObjectivesDescribe how the physical structure of the internet facilities

the delivery of distance education to learners in a wide variety of locations and at varying educational levels

Discuss why the internet relates well to transformations taking place in the general paradigms for teaching and learning

Discuss the advantages and limitations of internet based learning

Discuss the evolution of the internet and its functions that most directly relate to distance education, such as electronic mail, mailing list and the world wide web

Chapter Objectives cont.…Identify the typical components of a course management

system and their functions in internet-based distance education

Describe ways in which a course management system can be enhanced with third-party products

Select course activities that maximize active learning opportunities

Describe the potential of web 2.0 for promoting learning in a distance education setting

Describe trends in internet based distance education and their implications for educational programs

Distance education was started back in the 1800’s

Its main way of getting learning material to the student was the mail service

Near the 20th century they began to go toward synchronous courses

The evolution of distance education

Its not a single or clearly defined entity

TCP-IPIt has no main addressIt has no headquartersIt has no stockholders

What is the internet and why does it matter

Tier 1 – Backbone Networks and Internet Exchange Points

Tier 2 – Regional Networks Tier 3 – Internet Service Providers Tier 4 – Organizational and Home Networks Is the internet and world wide web interchangeable?

NO

The evolution of distance education

Lecturing to coachingTaking attendance to logging

onDistribution requirements to

connected learningCredit hours to performance

standardsCompeting to collaboratingLibrary collections to network

connections

Student – Centered Learning

Course work always available unless the internet is down

Asynchronous course components available 24 hoursStudents can work at their own paceCourse work and course material is available via the

webTechnology is relatively easy for students to useLearning material us always available across the entire

webCourse material can always be updated to be current

Advantages and limitations of online learning

Digital divide is realOnline course may emphasize the technology rather

than the content of learningWell-designed internet-based courses may be quite

intensiveSome instructors have difficulty adjusting to the

studentsCopyright violations on course web pagesSome students still use dial-up connection

Advantages and limitations of online learning

Course managementReadingsContent presentationsCourse communicationsGroup projects spaceStudent assessmentDigital drop-box for assignment submissionCourse evaluation toolsCourse and system statistics

Components of a course management system

Walker, Christopher

Internet-Based Distance Education