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Characteristics of the Distance Learning Experience
  (Or How I can survive this change in learning environment)

Developed by KC Dignan, PhD

Distance learning has been around for a long time.  Some people will claim that smoke signals were a form of distance learning.  This is probably an exaggeration.  However, it is true that correspondence courses have been around since the 1800's.  Now the distance learning experience tends to be a blend of various technologies.

What is distance learning?

Distance learning is generally defined as any situation where the instructor and learner are separated by either time or distance. According to Barry Willis, Ph.D., “At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance, and technology (i.e., voice, video, data, and print), often in concert with face-to-face communication, is used to bridge the instructional gap.” (www.uidaho.edu/evo/dist1.html)

Distance learning methods

A wide range of technological options is used. Some separate the instructor and learner over space and some over time. There are many ways to provide distance learning and endless ways to combine methods. The various methods can be grouped into five categories. Each has its strengths and limitations.

Voice 

Instructional tools include the telephone, conference calls (also known as audio conferencing), and audiotapes. 

Video 

Instructional video tools include slides,  film, videotape and interactive video.  One interactive , or compressed,  video system used by regional service centers is known as the Texas Educational Telecommunication Network, or TETN.  In this type of system, users go to designated places.  Using telephone lines participants are able to see and talk to each other in "real time."

Data, or computer-based systems.

These systems rely on computers to send and receive data.  The learner may work independently on web-based activities or courses.  Sometimes the learner participates in chat rooms, or submits information to discussion boards.  Information may be received or submitted via email or fax machine.  It may be necessary to watch video clips via your computer.

Print

The first distance learning methods used print in correspondence courses.   Print formats include textbooks, study guides, workbooks, course syllabi, and case studies.

Outreach

Outreach involves university faculty and students traveling to a specific site, such as a regional service center.  At that site the faculty may employ traditional methods or any combination of the above methods.

When the learner and instructor are interacting at the same time it is called synchronous instruction.  When the learner and instructor are interacting at different times, it is known as asynchronous instruction.  Below are samples of synchronous and asynchronous types of distance learning.

Why use distance learning methods?

Most people, but not all, would rather attend classes in traditional settings. However due to budget, time, geographic, or other considerations, many are not able to attend a traditional classroom. Financial considerations, family obligations, or work requirements also impact this decision.

In Texas only two universities and one regional service center provide training leading to certification as a VI teacher, O&M specialist or training as a deafblind specialist. These programs are at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas Tech University in Lubbock, and Region II in Corpus Christi. As a result, VI programs are very reliant on distance learning.

How can I be successful in this new style of instruction?

Learning through distance methods can be a change, and sometimes it is a difficult adjustment.  In addition to learning a large block of information, you must also adjust to a new learning modality. Before you begin, it is necessary to review the prerequisites, consider your personal work styles, and reflect on strategies for success.

Prerequisites

The world of computers is ever changing.  Computers get more powerful almost weekly.  It is impossible to say precisely what type of computer system you will need; however, it should meet the minimum requirements listed below.  Additionally, distance learning methods will call on a different set of skills.  Read these prerequisites carefully.  Make sure you can meet the requirements.  Our past experience has indicated that the equipment and skills listed below are critical for your future success in these classes.

• Equipment
  • Processor
    • Required: 200 MHz or Macintosh System 8.1 or better
    • Preferred: Pentium or AMD equivalent.
  • Memory
    • Required: 64 megabits of RAM
    • Preferred: 256 megs.  This is a situation where more is better.
  • Printer
    • Required: quality ink jet or laser printer with adequate ink or toner supply
    • Preferred: since you may be called upon to print graphics, you may prefer a color printer.
  • Modem
    • Required: 28,800K baud modem.  This is a bare minimum.  You will have a hard time downloading photos and programs.  However it is possible.
    • Preferred: 56,600K baud or faster modem, such as a cable modem, DSL or other high-speed connection, especially for downloading graphics.
  • Internet service provider (ISP)
    • Required: any reputable and reliable service.
    • Note: some people have had problems with AOL.  Other people have had problems with busy signals from small companies.  However, any ISP will work for the purposes of your courses and activities.
  • Browser and related programs
    • Either Netscape or Internet Explorer will work.
    • Required: Adobe Acrobat Reader.  This is a free downloadable program.  If you do not have it you can find it and download it at: www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html
      • Depending on whether you take Internet or ITV courses, you may be required to download PerkyDuck and Quicktime.  Your instructor will advise you.
    • Note: you may also need to download a free video and/or sound program from the web.  If so, your instructor will advise you.
  • Email service
    • Required: any reliable service.  Note: some services place restrictions on attachments or size of emails.
• Skills
  • Internet skills
    • Required: ability to find and navigate through any website
    • Required: ability to copy and paste information from a website to another document.
    • Required: ability to download information from the web.
    • Required: ability to print information from the web.
    • Note: it is critical that all students be competent Internet users.  Conducting research and completing course activities via the web will be a significant part of this program.  If you do not have these skills you MUST take a class or workshop immediately.  You will not get instruction in how to use the Internet in this program.
  • Email
    • Required: ability to send and receive email
    • Required: ability to send and open attachments.
  • TETN meetings
    • Required: willingness to communicate via this system; to speak out to get your needs met.  At any given time, the instructor can only see one site; the last person who spoke.  She or he will not be able to see your œquestioning eyebrow.
    • Required: willingness to listen to the instructor and not participate in œside-bar discussion.  This distracts the others in the room and obscures the information being delivered while you are talking.  While sidebar discussions can be annoying but not intrusive in traditional classes, they can be destructive in this format.

It sure looks easy, but....

It does look easy.  Just sign up for the class, go to the service center a few times, (not very many times), and check out a website.  How hard can that be?  Remember, these courses are real graduate courses.  Additionally, the vision courses are very content dense.  That is, you must be responsible for a lot of information and skills each semester.  The following questions may be useful in helping you to evaluate your readiness for the distance learning experience.  For more information read the article by Charlotte Thomas œAre you a Candidate for Distance Learning? at www.petersons.com/distancelearning/code/articles/distancelearncandidate2.asp.

Further, you should ask your self the following questions:

• What is my motivation for learning?
• Can I set a schedule and stick to it? 
• Am I an independent learner?
• How do I learn best “ listening, reading, looking?
• When given the option, do I prefer synchronous or asynchronous activities or courses?
• Can I take responsibility to ensure that my needs are met; to get the advising needed, to order textbooks on-line, to access reference and other student support services?
• Will I be able to ˜speak up' in class, even if the class is conducted via an ITV system or electronically?

And MOST importantly:

• Do I have the persistence and determination necessary for a distance learning experience?

Tips for Successful Distance Learning

Like all new experiences, it is nice to know what to expect and to get hints for success.  Below is information taken from the Petersons' website (www.Petersons.com).  Petersons has long been recognized as an important resource for connecting learners to institutions.

Tools

Before enrolling in a course, make sure you have access to the tools necessary to complete assignments. A word processor can help you to organize your work and communicate your thoughts more clearly. If your lessons appear through cable television, you'll want to know how to program your VCR to record the programs to refer back to. Access to a fax machine, and a computer with adequate hard disk space and modem for e-mail transmission are "musts" for many classes.

Schedule

Set aside a regularly scheduled time for study. If you have not been involved in academic pursuits recently, you may find that your career, family, hobbies, social and civic commitments leave little time for studying. To help you fit studying into your schedule, keep a record for a week of how you spend your time, and then decide what you are willing to give up. Schedule your studies for a time when you are mentally fresh and able to devote at least one hour to your work. Think of the hour as "reserved time." If you miss too many study periods, revise your schedule.

Where to Study

You will find it easier to focus in an appropriate environment for study. Find a place that is free from distractions. You might consider work place--before or after hours and on your lunch hour--a public library, or a separate room in your home.

Reading Skills

You must comprehend and retain what you read for real learning to take place. Reading skills can be developed by concentrating on what you read and by taking frequent pauses to organize and review the material in your mind. At the end of a study session, review everything you have read, making special notes of important points. Reading a computer screen can be hard on your eyes; it may be necessary to download hard copies of reading assignments and communications from your instructor and co-workers.

Communication Skills

It can be intimidating to speak into a microphone in a video or conference call, but your communication skills are an important part of any assignment--on the job, at home, and at school. Distance learning provides the opportunity to enhance these skills. Pay careful attention to instructions and be certain that you understand what is being asked. It often helps to develop a brief outline before responding to questions whether they are submitted in writing, via e-mail, orally, or on video/audio tape. Organization, grammar, and the appropriate style are important whichever medium you choose. (www.petersons.com/dlwizard/code/default.asp)

Links to other sites

There is not adequate room in this document to list all of the available, high quality sites, but a few are listed below.  If you want more information, you may want to check out the sites listed below.

Distance Education: A consumer's guide.  

Information from the Western Cooperative for educational telecommunications.  This is a clearinghouse of information on distance learning.

Distance Education at a Glance

Basic information on an array of topics.  Useful for those new to the distance learning experience.  Includes 12 short articles or guides and a distance learning glossary.

Petersons.com

Peterson's has a large clearinghouse of information on colleges or universities.  The link below is to their home page for adult distance learners.  Includes information on finances, study tips, and more.

Center for Disease Control's Primer for Distance Learning

According to its Introduction, the intention of this primer œto provide this primer as a ˜baseline informational source".  It includes information about delivery options, concepts and strategies and other pertinent information.

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Last Revision: January 26, 2005