Cutting the distance in distance education: Perspectives on what promotes positive,online learning experiences

This qualitative research study was designed to inform the development and implementation of effective online learning environments by exploring, from both teacher and student perspectives, what constitute effective online learning experiences. The study examined course content, tasks, and pedagogical approaches, as identified by students and instructors, which contributed to or hindered positive online learning experiences. Researchers interviewed 6 online course instructors and 10 adult students to understand their experiences in undergraduate and graduate level online degree programs. Using a Cognitive Apprenticeship Model to inform the analysis of data, findings revealed an emphasis on text-based content and lecture; instruction that led to disconnect between students, teachers, and course content and goals; and one innovative program that links real-world experiences with online classroom learning. Given the growing number of online programs, the study provides insight for course development and pedagogy as well as offers possibilities for additional research.     

Voice over distance: a case of podcasting for learning in online teacher education

This paper reports on a case study of an online pre-service teacher education course in a New Zealand university aimed at exploring the potential of student-generated podcasts as a form of interactive formative assessment at a distance. The study was part of a wider two-year funded project with the overall goal of documenting, developing, and disseminating effective and innovative e-learning practice. Findings from lecturer and tutor interviews, student focus group (FG) discussion, and course evaluations indicate that the podcasting task provided opportunities for the course lecturer, tutors, and students to learn and share ideas with one another. The experience empowered students to develop the skills and confidence to initiate more independent inquiry into technologies to support their pedagogical purposes. The study contributes to a better understanding of the skills, dispositions, and knowledge needed to prepare teacher candidates for teaching-learning contexts where information and communication technologies are increasingly pivotal.     

Reflective learning in distance education

This article addresses one of three major challenges which it is argued, currently face distance education, namely its claimed over-reliance on behaviourist approaches to teaching and learning. In particular, the derivation of principles of course design which can be applied irrespective of difference of context, content and learners, has not proved to be a realistic and effective way forward. Fortunately, the practice of distance education has not been limited to applied behaviourism only, and has included approaches which draw upon social constructivist and cognitive approaches to learning. These have worked well in combination with regular feedback to students in programmes at undergraduate level at the UK Open University (UKOU). Other conceptualisations of learning have also begun to make an impact, notably the experiential and the relational. The former emphasises reflection on direct experience and the transformation of existing knowledge. The latter reveals the shaping influence of students conceptions in these areas. Distance education already has many examples of activities and projects which require students to process existing and new experience in relation to course concepts and goals. A number of courses at the UKOU are also encouraging students to review their own learning approaches and to be proactive about their study methods. A case study of two courses is introduced, as an example of teaching approaches which foster reflection on experience, integrated with conceptual learning, and reflection by the learner on their own learning process in parallel with the study of course content. Evidence is provided from evaluation of the extent to which these learning process oriented course materials, have affected the learned outcomes students identify for themeselves. The integration of a reflective component into assessment of the course has been especially effective. Students report changes most frequently at the level of general awareness of purpose of study and learning transfer, rather than in the area of detailed study skills.     

Continuing engineering education through distance learning

The demand for distance continuing engineering education (CEE) is growing. This article describes the following with regard to CEE: the purpose; its importance, trends and unique challenges. Distance education can meet some of these challenges. Benefits and challenges of distance CEE are discussed along with the different types of distance CEE providers including universities, professional and trade organisations, corporate universities, for-profit education providers and government. Some recommendations are given for distance CEE. The specific focus here is on non-degree courses that are generally highly practical and focused.     

远程自主学习指导研究

本文从提高远程学习者自主学习能力的角度入手,对远程自主学习指导活动的环节及支持条件进行了研究。文章首先确定了考察远程自主学习状况的六项指标,据此提出了远程自主学习指导活动的七个环节,即:独立学习状态下的学习动机激发环节、学习计划与进度指导环节、学习方法指导环节、学习资源利用指导环节、学习调控与评价指导环节、学习交互状态下的个别化交互指导环节与社会化交互指导环节。最后文章对指导活动支持条件的内容及二者的关系进行了阐述。     

论现代远程教育中的个别化学习

作为现代远程教育主要学习方式的个别化学习具有独特的内涵与外延;其主要特征表现为自主性、独立性、探究性、策略性、高效性以及与学习资源及数字化智能技术的交互性;其主要阶段为制订学习计划、获取学习资源、参与合作讨论、提交学习成果和评价学习效果。     

开放教育学生网上学习的调查与分析——对99级本科"计算机科学与技术"专业的个案剖析

本文通过对南京广播电视大学开放教育本科"计算机科学与技术"专业1999级学生的随机抽样调查,探讨开放教育实践中网上学习的经验、成果和需要改进的问题,并对网上资源建设的有关问题提出几点思考.     

机器学习在个性化网络课程学习中的应用分析

通过机器学习的介绍,说明其在适应性教学系统中的应用。对机器学习系统应用的基础教育教学理论的分析,指出适应性教学是发展方向。对机器学习在个性化网络课程学习中的三种应用方式进行了分析。     

远程开放教育研究型学习模式

研究型学习模式最富有时代色彩的话语是:引导学习者在行为上主动参与学科建设,在认知上发展原创性思维,在情绪上寻找知识建构的美感,从而促使学习主体与学习客体间建立一种互动的平衡机制,以达到远程开放教育素质化的理想目标。     

Effect of pandemic based online education on teaching and learning system

Coronavirus outbreak mediated pandemic impacted most of the sectors globally. This includes the academic world that consists of millions of enrolled learners and active teachers who previously had regular classes in their institutions, and due to the pandemic, got stuck at the home. To continue the education process, the online class was introduced in most of the countries, including India. In this mode, both teaching and learning happen through electronic devices which are relatively new to the entire teaching-learning community. This study aimed to understand how online classes had fared for the teachers and students in India. Besides, it tried to understand the users’ experience and the unique set of challenges that this mode of education brings.Four separate questionnaires were created for school students, school teachers, college students, and college professors. The questions inquired about various aspects of online classes such as setting up online education at home, knowledge transfer, comfort, evaluation, and future aspects. The questionnaires were circulated electronically as google forms. The responses were received from the teachers (school teachers and college professors considering all courses) and learners (school and college students considering all courses) of various educational institutions across the country. The data was compiled and the results were discussed in two ways, firstly, the perspectives of teaching versus the learning group and secondly, school versus college groups on online versus regular classes. Though online training/distance education is practiced for a long time, the research on the mentioned aspects was limited. This study is the first of its kind which reflects the merits and demerits of the new-normal online education from home in the compiled voice of teachers and learners group in India. The study addresses the participant’s compliments and grievances of online education compared to regular classes. This further enlightens how to improve the technologies to make them use more efficiently. Besides, this study gives a proper framework to modify or create educational policies, laws, and schemes to obtain equal access to resources for all.     

现代远程教育在终生学习中的作用

传统教育正面临着根本性的变革，终生学习的观念已被人们普遍认同。在终生学习中，人是学习活动的主体，学习贯穿人生命的始终。终生学习是对传统教育的突破。远程教育是以学习者为主体、以教育技术为手段的教育形态，远程教育是每个人终生学习的最佳选择。     

Reconceptualising higher education pedagogy in online learning

The purpose of this collaborative inquiry project was to examine teacher education practices in two early childhood degree programmes in a school of education at a regional university in Australia. All students are enrolled in these online courses as distance learners. The reconceptualised online pedagogy immersed students, peers and their lecturers in ‘teaching through assessment’ (Edwards, 2010) in a collaborative online environment that mirrors the complexity that students are experiencing in their workplaces. This article describes the pedagogical and conceptual underpinnings we used to reconceptualise our degree programmes. It also outlines our evolving conceptualisations of learning as knowledge creation (Hong & Sullivan, 2009) in the context of our teaching and learning in online courses.     

Direct and indirect effects of education on job satisfaction: A structural equation model for the Spanish case

Empirical literature has traditionally analyzed the effect of education on job satisfaction with single-equation models that ignore interrelationships between theoretical explanatory variables. Their results are somewhat inconclusive. We propose estimating a structural equation model to obtain both the direct effects and the set of indirect effects. Analysis of these effects allows us to explain the apparent contradictions that have existed to date, and to improve knowledge of the economic value of education. The proposed model shows that people with higher levels of formal education are more satisfied with their jobs, because they are more likely to access jobs with characteristics that provide greater satisfaction.     

Collaborative online distance learning: Issues for future practice and research

This article provides an overview of issues of practice and research relating to the use of collaborative online learning in distance education (DE). It begins with an examination of the traditional problems of DE. Following that is a discussion of what collaborative online learning encompasses and a review of the primary instructional design issues that relate to it. These are: (a) course preparation; (b) creating a good social climate and sense of community; (c) the role of the instructor; (d) encouraging true collaboration; and (e) the effective use of technology. As well some of the literature relating to problem‐based learning is referenced and its application to collaborative online learning is discussed. The authors conclude that using new technologies in combination with a collaborative online learning approach in DE may prove to be highly effective when learner characteristics and the learning context are considered carefully. Recommendations for future areas of research are also provided, along with a matrix of variables that may be combined to conceptualise further study in the area.     

浅谈远程教育大学英语反思性学习方式

反思性学习是远程大学英语课程的重要教学策略。反思性学习方式主要包括问题式、日志式、档案式与讨论式。远程大学英语反思性学习方式应基于成人学生学习基础与认知需求,依据远程学科教育特点,设置以非良构问题情境为主的层级递进式学习任务;逐步培养学生撰写学习日志能力;建立与学科评价相挂钩的系统化学习档案;引导学生合作学习,按照"组内异质,组间同质"原则组建学习小组,充分发挥学员个人优势与特长,实现学生之间的共同进步。     

基于碎片化学习的远程开放教育移动学习模式探讨

人类学习方式经历了私塾求学、课堂学习及网络学习三个历史阶段,现代远程开放教育是社会发展的必然要求。移动学习(M-Learning)能够针对现代社会学习者流动分散的学习特征,利用碎片化学习方式,实现最佳学习效果,运用越来越广泛的移动学习必将成为未来学习过程中不可或缺的学习方式,是未来远程开放教育中的最佳学习模式。