Distance education is an alternative way of studying that is suitable for some individuals for various reasons.

Many distance education programs target adults. At the UP Open University, for example, most of the programs are post baccalaureate degree programs. Many of the students have employment, family responsibilities, and social and professional obligations. They desire to upgrade their qualifications in terms of skills and/or knowledge with the hope of improving their income-earning capabilities, either as an employee or as a self-employed individual. Their responsibilities, however, limit their opportunities for further studies in the traditional, classroom-based courses. Some cannot attend regular classes because their work require traveling or because the hours are very irregular. Some have to take care of their children or an elderly or sickly relative. Some may be based in a place where there are no nearby educational institutions that would meet their requirements. Some may not have the capacity to pay for the cost of frequent travel to a campus.

“Distance education is planned learning that normally occurs in a different place from teaching and as result requires special techniques of course design, special instructional techniques, special methods of communication by electronic and other technology, as well as special organizational and administrative arrangements.”

Question/s: Does UPOU provide its students with the opportunity to qualify and take board examinations, such as the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), so that learners will also have the opportunity to become licensed teachers?

Topic: Defining Distance Education Date: 1980 Course/Subject: Distance Education Studies

Notes Main Idea The paper analyzes existing definitions of distance education and identifies six essential components that should be included in a comprehensive definition. The analysis covers different educational philosophies and institutional contexts for distance education.

Key Definitions and Theorists Holmberg's Definition

Distance education involves the separation of teacher and learner. Requires planned, structured learning materials and institutional support. French Law (Loi 71.556 du 12 juillet 1971)

Defines distance education as learning where the teacher is not physically present, except for occasional tasks. Moore's Definition

Highlights separation of teaching and learning behaviors. Emphasizes the use of technical media and the importance of two-way communication. Peters’ Definition

Describes distance education as an industrialized form of education. Incorporates principles like division of labor, mass production, and mechanization in the teaching process. Six Essential Components of Distance Education Separation of Teacher and Student

Physical and temporal separation in the teaching and learning process. Role of Educational Organization

Planning, preparing, and providing learning materials and support. Use of Technical Media

Communication between teacher and learner facilitated by print, radio, television, or computers. Provision of Two-Way Communication

Opportunities for dialogue between teacher and learner. Possibility of Occasional Seminars

Allowing for some face-to-face interaction for didactic or social purposes. Participation in an Industrialized Form of Education

Incorporates aspects of industrial processes in the delivery of education, such as standardized materials and automated communication. Analysis and Discussion Educational Contexts and Models

Different definitions cater to various levels and types of education (e.g., correspondence, open learning, external studies). Theoretical frameworks like Peters' focus on the structural separation and mechanization of distance education. Challenges and Misconceptions

Confusion over terminology, such as correspondence study vs. distance education. Misunderstanding of the relationship between traditional and distance education models. Proposed Solution

The term 'distance education' is suggested as the most suitable to encompass various forms and philosophies of education that involve separation of teacher and learner. Implications The need for clarity in defining distance education for consistent policy development and theoretical analysis. Importance of recognizing the distinct nature of distance education as an industrialized form of learning. Questions/Cues What are the key differences between Holmberg’s and Peters’ definitions of distance education? How does Keegan's six-component framework help in distinguishing distance education from other forms of non-traditional education? Why is Peters’ view on industrialization important in understanding distance education? Summary The paper provides a detailed analysis of distance education by examining prominent definitions and proposing a comprehensive framework. Keegan emphasizes the industrialized nature of distance education and the necessity for clear terminology to distinguish it from other educational forms.

Reference Keegan, D. J. (1980). On defining distance education. Distance Education, 1(1), 13-36.

Berger, F., Schreiner, C., Hagleitner, W., Jesacher-Rößler, L., Roßnagl, S., & Kraler, C. (2021). Predicting Coping With Self-Regulated Distance Learning in Times of COVID-19: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 3627. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.701255

Hascher, T., Beltman, S., & Mansfield, C. (2021). Swiss Primary Teachers’ Professional Well-Being During School Closure Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 687512. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.687512

Długosz, P., & Kryvachuk, L. (2020). Neurotic generation of Covid-19 in Eastern Europe. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/mwhzk

Händel, M., Bedenlier, S., Gläser-Zikuda, M., Kammerl, R., Kopp, B., & Ziegler, A. (2020). Do Students have the Means to Learn During the Coronavirus Pandemic? Student Demands for Distance Learning in a Suddenly Digital Landscape [Preprint]. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/5ngm9

Košir, K., Dugonik, Š., Huskić, A., Gračner, J., Kokol, Z., & Krajnc, Ž. (2020). Predictors of perceived teachers’ and school counsellors’ work stress in the transition period of online education in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic [Preprint]. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/gj3e5

Nordmann, E., Horlin, C., Hutchison, J., Murray, J., Robson, L., Seery, M., & MacKay, J. R. D., Dr. (2020, April 27). 10 simple rules for supporting a temporary online pivot in higher education. Retrieved from psyarxiv.com/qdh25

Perraton's theory 1988

This website outlines Section 1.5 of Angelo State University's guide to instructional design and online teaching. Section 1.5 describes key characteristics of online learners, as well as the technology and computer skills that research has identified as being important for online learners. Successful online learners are described as self-directed, motivated, well-organized, and dedicated to their education. The article also notes that online learners should understand how to use technology such as multimedia tools, email, internet browsers. and LMS systems. This resource serves as a guide to effective online teaching. Rating 10/10

Author Melissa A. Venable, Ph.D. has spent her career working in career development, technology and instructional design. The article outlines technology options for career professionals to use with distance learners and how to conduct an assessment to ensure needs are being met.

Rating: 5/10

Author Catherine C. Schifter has had a long background in Educational Psychology and this article from 1999 shows her dedication to the field and provides an analysis of educators in distance learning and the evaluation that Dr. Schifter did of these programs and the motivation of faculty members who were teaching these courses at the time.

Rating: 6/10

Scott L. Howell is the Assistant to the Dean of Continuing Education at Brigham Young University and has a long career track record in the area of instructional design and online learning. The article is a bit ambitious in tackling 32 trends, but provides a good review of additional literature during each addressed trend.

Rating: 9/10. The article itself is interesting, but its best use is the direction towards additional readings that it offers.

This is an interesting article to discover the history of adult learning technology in a hybrid setting. The study included both face-to-face and online meetings/assignments.

This article examines various methods of delivery: multimedia integration, possibly including audio, video, slides, and animation. The recommendation is to carefully consider which online delivery mode matches with the learner, and to be cognizant that not everyone learns in the same manner. Certain topics may be best presented in live videos and not in power-point slides show as meaning may be lost or not delivered correctly. It’s important to follow-up with immediate assessment and feedback to continue to develop effective training.

RATING: 5/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

This was an excellent article Chen (2007) in defining and laying out how a blended learning approach of objectivist and constructivist instructional strategies work well in online instruction and the use of an actual online course as a study example.

RATING: 4/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

This case study explores perceptions of instructors vs. end-users with web-based training. It examines various technologies and techniques.

RATING: 4/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

Buildfire is a site that presents how to create a mobile app in 10 easy steps. Site is easy to read and use.

RATING: 4/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

Prezi is a productivity platform that allows for creation, organization, collaboration of presentations. It can be used with either mobile or desktop. Prezi integrates with slack and salesforce. RATING: 5/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

Yammer is Web 2.0 software which integrates with Microsoft 360 and allows users to communicate together and across the organization. It essentially functions as social networking software for corporations with the ability to collaborate on projects, maintain task lists, store files, documents and pictures all within a private enterprise network. In addition Yammer allows for the sharing of feedback and the management of group projects. Yammer is freemium software with a variety of custom add-ons. Licenses are currently issued for all learner participants and at this time no custom add-ons are necessary.

RATING: 5/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

In this pdf, there are many helpful tips and techniques in creating a foundation for technology. The introduction of model strategies are laid out with lots of supporting detail and examples and weblinks. It includes nearly 400 pages of peer-reviewed lessons, models and various strategies.

RATING: 5/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

This article explores the interaction of student based learner-centered used of technology tools such as wikis, blogs and podcasts as new and emerging technology tools. With distance learning programs becoming more and more popular, software applications such as Writeboard, InstaCol and Imeem may become less of the software of choice. The article looks closely at the influence of technology and outcomes.

RATING: 4/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

This article explores the importance of analysis of instructional design which seems to be often downplayed particularly in distance learning. ADDIE, REVIT have been considered when evaluating whether the training was meaningful or not and from that a central report was extracted and may prove useful in the development of similar e-learning situations for adult learning.

RATING: 4/5 (rating based upon a score system 1 to 5, 1= lowest 5=highest in terms of content, veracity, easiness of use etc.)

Some connection with SAMR, unbundling, “open learning”… With diverse learners whose constraints may affect institutions, there’s a fair bit of talk about new(ish) tech-infused approaches to distance education. As with many other things, not much of it is new. But there might be some enabling phenomena. Not sure how gamification fits, here. Sure, open play could allow for a lot of flexibility. But gamification is pretty much the reverse: game mechanics without the open-ended playfulness.