Distance Education - Technology

Contents 1 Technology 1.1 Different Technology used in Distance Education 1.1.1 Text and Image 1.1.2 Video 1.1.2.1 Advantages 1.1.2.2 Disadvantages 1.1.3 Audio 1.1.3.1 Advantages 1.1.3.2 Disadvantages 2 Further Information 2.1 References 2.2 Contributors to This Entry Include:

Technology

Technology is the technical means people use to improve their surroundings. It is also a knowledge of using tools and machines to do tasks efficiently.(October 25, 2005, [URL])

Different Technology used in Distance Education

For a student to get the most out of their course online, the many different types of technology and media must be integrated into the material. For example, if a student is reading about a topic and they don’t quite understand then they have the option of watching a video of it to explain it further, or go to a discussion forum to ask a question. Below is a selection of the technological devices that might be found within a Distance Education course online.

First of all the internet must be mentioned as it is the main source that links it all together. It enables the student to use any device he or she requires to get the best out of their learning experience. (Wellner, 2003, p. 130)

Text and Image

Text occupies the same role in an online education as speech does in a campus based course. It represents the primary teaching, exchange, feed-back and guidance medium (Wellner, 2003, p. 131). Text must be read and therefore the student must participate and put in an effort to understand what they are reading as opposed to speaking were there is the possibility for students to stop listening. Images are of course excellent for explaining concepts through diagrams, maps etc. There are only two major issues in regards to images and that is how quick the students internet speed is in actually downloading the images and for those students that are visually impaired, an image is not going to help much at all. (Wellner, 2003, p. 130-132)

Video

Advantages

• Adds variety to the material
• Demonstrates situations that are hard to explain and better understood with a visual
• Showing actual examples from real life scenarios to make the material more realistic for the students
• A guide to help students when they are doing a more practical course
• Students are able to watch it whenever they want and as many times as the like.
• Some students tend to learn better from a visual explanation

(Wellner, 2003, p. 133)

Disadvantages

• Quality can be poor depending on connection of internet etc.
• Attention can waver if the video is seemingly to long
• There is no interaction with the students at all
• Unless a transcript is provided, it disadvantages blind or deaf students

(Wellner, 2003, p. 133)

Audio

Advantages

• Good quality over the internet
• Very useful in subjects such as music and poetry
• Very useful in creating an atmosphere within a stimulation
• Student will find trainings, especially computer trainings where you are learning how to use something will find audio very effective.

(Wellner, 2003, p. 134)

Disadvantages

• Students may find it difficult to listen to a long clip of audio.

(Wellner, 2003, p. 134)

Of course the telephone, post and e-mail are all other technologies that can be used in developing a course for Tertiary Distance Education.

Further Information

References

Definition of Technology. Retrieved October 25, 2005, from http://www.bergen.org/technology/defin.html

Weller, M. (2003). Delivering Learning on the Net. London: RoutledgeFalmer. ISBN 0749436751

Contributors to This Entry Include:

Stephanie Shield 06:37, 28 Oct 2005 (EST)