Distance Learning: The Road Less Traveled

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Distance Learning The Road Less Traveled
Karalee Atkinson, MS Distance Learning
Coordinator Utah Department of Health 801-538-9057
katkinson_at_utah.gov
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Learning Objectives

• Distance Learning 101
• Distance Learning Options
• Distance Learning in Utah

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What do these phrases have in common?
Google it
Text me
Napster
The system crashed
Go wireless
Let me check my palm
You got mail
Chatting
Can you hear me now?
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Distance Learning Facts

• Fact 1
• Advances in technology are rapidly changing our
  lives.

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Distance Learning Facts

• Fact 2
• Distance learning began in ????
• What started this revolution?

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The History of Distance Learning

• 1436 Printing Press (Gutenberg)

• 1876 Telephone (Bell)

• 1920s Television (Farnsworth)

• 1957 Satellite (Sputnick)

• 1980s Home Computers (Apple)

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So what is Distance Learning?

• Any situation where learner(s) are separated from
  the instructor.
• Often described as bringing the instruction to
  the learner.

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Distance Learning Today

• Distance learning has been around for a long
  time, but technological advances have made it
  more interactive cost effective.
• The worlds just a mouse click away.

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Distance Learning Options

• Satellite Conferencing
• Web-Streamed Video
• Audio Conferencing

• Videoconferencing
• Online Courses
• Webcasts
• Videotape/CD/DVD

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Why use Distance Learning?

• To support the public health workforce by
  providing educational opportunities that are
• Affordable
• Easy to use
• Readily Accessible

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Benefits of Distance Learning

• Decreased time money spent on travel
• Rapid distribution of information in an emergency
• Learning at the learners convenience

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The FEAR FACTOR

• Technology only works when we know how to use
  it.
• Familiarity will increase your learning ability.
  
• Just Do It!

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Distance Learning in Utah

• The following distance learning options are
  available in Utah
• Videoconferencing through Utah Telehealth
• Satellite Broadcasts through the USU Extensions,
  AHEC and UDOH
• Webcast Library

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Distance Learning Successes

• In the last nine months 319 public health
  professionals in Utah have been trained through
• Satellite Broadcasts
• Videotape and DVD distribution of satellite
  broadcasts
• Webcasts
• Videoconferencing

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Its time to kick the tires

• For information on distance learning
  opportunities visit
• http//health.utah.gov/BTtraining/
• http//www.phpartners.org/
• http//www.medlineplus.com/
• http//www.utahtelehealth.net
• http//www.train.org