LT 741: Introduction to Distance Education
Instructor: Lynette Molstad Gorder
Completed: Fall 2007
Course Description:
This course is an analysis of the history, philosophy, design,
and evolution of distance learning systems. Distance learning is
a worldwide concept and the course uses examples from many
countries to emphasize institutional, program and course design
methods and approaches. The course assumes a system perspective
in the analysis of distance education and the distance learner.
The various components of distance learning systems are
introduced and overviewed including: a) course development and
design; b) course production; c) course delivery; d) learner
support; e) evaluation of courses and the methods of cybernetic
control of both student performance and instructional
effectiveness; and f) research and evaluation of distance
learning systems.
Completed Projects:
Accommodating Learners with Disabilities: Distance Education provides access to postsecondary education for many students with disabilities that may not have been able to attend more conventional classes. Flexibility in the location, scheduling, and delivery of distance education programs is a large reason disabled students choose Distance Education. Keeping up in an online class, and participating in the development of a group project online, can create huge obstacles for disabled learners. Individuals with visual, motor, or learning disabilities constantly encounter the challenging predicament of attempting to use computer files, software, and Web sites that are not accessible. This presentation helps identify ways that learners with disabilities can be accommodated in a distance learning environment.
Distance Education Lesson Design Assignment: If I were to create an online unit in my field, I would create an online literature unit for high school students. I would use a format such as WebCT to deliver the unit. The objective of the unit would be to teach the students about a period of literature, such as 20th Century Literature, and have them research, classify and explain aspects of this movement. The students would also be required to reflect on what they had learned in class through the use of a classroom blog, participate in class discussion through the discussion board, submit assignments online, and work cooperatively. I would also incorporate multimedia projects in the unit so that students have a chance to learn and practice new technologies. This assignment details the lesson plan I would create for my distance literature course.
Position Paper: Distance Education is a phenomenon which has grown enormously within the past few decades. With the advent of new technologies, Distance Education (DE) no longer relies on correspondence through the mail systems as it has in the past, but is now a rapid, effective, and often synchronous course delivery method. There is tremendous diversity in terms of the types of courses offered, delivery methods, technology use, variety of providers, and the range and effectiveness of courses. This diversity is also seen among the participants in DE courses. Researchers are finding that specific needs among DE students vary among different demographic groups. Different groups may reflect the students’ different ages, cultural backgrounds, learning styles, levels of motivation, and gender, just to name a few. While each of these specific parameters can affect how a student will fare in a DE course, this paper focuses primarily on the different needs of women versus men enrolled in Distance Education courses.
Accommodating Learners with Disabilities Presentation
Distance Education Lesson Design
Position Paper: Enrollment in Distance Education Affects Women Differently Than Men
