RESEARCH - US STUDY ON DISTANCE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

Human Learning - US Study on Distance Learning Difficulties.
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DISCUSSION

Several critical problems and concerns were found in running distance learning courses. These findings were consistent with the literature in this field. The benefits in distance learning were also confirmed. The majority of instructors perceive distance learning education to be of value to students. Nevertheless, without careful planning, an online learning presence by an institution will manifest many design and technology problems.

'Too many distance education courses follow the same design as classroom-based courses and fail to make use of the technology available.'

Whilst 'teacher as facilitator' was a critical factor, over two thirds of respondents indicated that they had no provision for a mentoring/coaching element in their course. Most instructors had to train themselves and even their current skills here is questionable. Training issues are critical - both the technology and instruction issues are too prevalent to be ignored. Just the problem of 'keeping up to date with technology is a major challenge for educators.'

It is clear that teaching in distance learning requires a different set of methodologies and skills from traditional teaching approaches. Both instructors and students must learn new skills in technology usage and instruction design to adapt to this newer learning modality. Along with training the key participants, a key recommendation given was establishing a team approach : instructor, online instruction designer and technology support specialists.

- DEBRIEF -

Despite the perceived efficiency in delivering instruction via wires there are too many significant problems currently associated with it. Many seem to be intractable even after a couple of years of tweaking. Distance learning students are currently at a major disadvantage from on-campus students.

We are not sure whether the administrative tests carried out online are reliable... 50 % of the professors responding were unsure of its reliability. Instructor- to- student communications are poor - 61 % of the professors responding were having problems here even after (presumably) a couple of years of trying to iron this out.

Why do professors think that flexibility for students will improve their grades ?

Why do professors think that any of the online/distance education benefits will benefit a student's grade ? Where is the evidence ?

Until Heads of Departments understand and radically adapt to the new demands of online learning then distance learning students will continue to receive and inferior education in most cases.

But I am also suggesting even with OPTIMAL variables in distance education there is still little evidence that this will produce equivalent if not superior student grades from traditional teaching methodologies. Mmmmmm.

Knowledge Management Implications...
This study provides more clues into the difficulties in achieving successful online-assisted Communities of Practice and for online collaboration teams, both sub-branches of KM practices. The head of any of those groups MUST have advanced skills in technology usage and group dynamics....much more so than educators. Universities still focus on the individual whereas the workplace is moving toward greater teamwork. This study strongly supports the notion that online learning for individuals or for work teams must have a HIGH MAINTENANCE INPUT for atleast the early phase of the life of that group. Without it, poor communication...or learning.. will continually be produced... and participants will continue to give up on it and drop back to traditional methods.

I believe the instructor cannot fully delegate ONLINE INSTRUCTION DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT. The instructor must CALL THE SHOTS. So they would need to have basic competence in these allied fields. Centralised support staff due to lack of customisation and time will not produce an adequate end product that is needed as this study has emphasised. There is little evidence that this team approach has worked well so far.

It will take adult learning visionaries with a practical flair out there for making online learning a true success. Any takers ?

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