Preparing Students for Distance Learning

1
Preparing Students for Distance Learning

• Presented by
• John R. Knue, Ed.D.
• Baylor University
• John_Knue_at_Baylor.edu (http//hsb.baylor.edu/html
  /knue/home.htm)

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Overview

• Rationale
• Terminology /Methodology
• Types of D. L. offerings
• Orientation techniques for a two-way
  environment
• QA

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Rationale

• Studies show anxiety is higher in a D.L. course
  impacts attrition
• Studies show student performance benefits from
  orientation
• Orientation helps students focus on content
  rather than the technology
• Students are often presumed ready

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More Rationale

• Quality/expectations may be perceived as lower
• Necessary to build student instructor comfort
  /confidence level
• Natural to want to know about policy and
  procedures
• Clarify instructors goals students attitudes

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Asynchronous

• Internet or Web-based courses

• Video-based / Telecourses

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Asynchronous Courses

• Internet or Telecourses
• Initial (on-site) orientation?
• Flexible or prescribed schedule?
• Testing requirements
• Access to instructor

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Synchronous

• One-way video two-way audio

• Two-way audio video

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Synchronous Courses

• One-way video two-way audio
• Instructor cannot see students can only hear
  individual caller
• May be facilitator or monitor
• Requires closer attention
  to student discipline
• Usually includes multiple
  sites

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Synchronous Courses

• Two-way audio and video
• Interactive TV (ITV) or Videoconferencing
• Very common for secondary and post-secondary
• Uses T1 (telephone lines) to transmit real-time
  audio compressed video

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D.L. Offerings
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General Issues

• Is D.L. appropriate for the learners individual
  style or situation
• Are handbooks/guidelines provided?
• Is there an orientation process?
• Are there specific Residency requirements?

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General Issues (Cont.)

• Student Services offered
• Contact person
• Advising
• Access to library /other resources
• Admission registration
• Tuition fees
• Financial Aid

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ITV Conditions

• Students may be at
• Both origin receive site(s)
• Receive site(s) only
• Clarify receive site assistance
• Another teacher
• Facilitator
• Technical person

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ITV Orientation

• Students at the Origin Site
• Often surprised to be in D.L. environment
• May need orientation to microphones
• Will need to learn to view monitors
• May resent sharing the instructor

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ITV Orientation

• Students at the Receive Site(s)
• May also be surprised to be in D.L. environment
• May need orientation to microphones
• Will most always be on camera
• May have on-location facilitator or other
• May have to learn about equipment

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All Students

• Learner responsibilities
• Patience
• Persistence
• Punctuality
• Presence
• Participation

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All Students

• Establish the rules expectations early on
  for...
• Asking questions
• Responding
• Entering late
• Handling technical difficulties
• What to do in case of cancellation at origin or
  receive site

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All Students

• Provide an orientation to the equipment for each
  location (demo)
• Work to blend the sites with student
  questions/activities between the sites
• Use icebreakers and warm-up exercises freely
• Give all students a chance to be on camera

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Questions?

• Discussion!