A debate: Distance Learning in Education and Training

1. A debate:Distance Learningin Education and Training Baek-Kyoo Joo, Merry Rendahl, Jaci Seeman, Yelena Yan. HRD/AdEd 5001 June 28, 2003

2. Team Introduction 4D

3. Content I. Distance Learning Overview II. Debate Questions III. DL in Education IV. DL in Training (Corporate E-Learning) V. Conclusion & Recommendation VI. Class Discussion

4. I. Distance Learning Overview “In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.”- Eric Hoffer, in Vanguard Management, 1989

5. Definition of Distance Learning “Distance education is planned learning that normally occurs in a different place from teaching and as a 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”. (Source: Moore, M., Director, The American Center for the Study of Distance Education, Penn State)

6. Subset of Distance Learning Source: W. R. Hambrecht and Co. 2000. Corporate e-learning: Exploring a new frontier. Retrieved from http://www.wrhambrecht.com

7. Distance Education: US Perspective • Distance education has grown to a great extent over the past 30 years. • Past • Correspondence • Videotapes by Mail • Satellite

8. Distance Education: US Perspective • Some studies show that there is no significant difference between distance education and traditional education. • Present • Videoconferencing • Web-based learning • Completely on-lineeducational experiences

9. Distance Education: Int’l Perspective “A U.S. perspective alone doesnot represent the entire field.” McLean & McLean, 2001

10. Distance Education: Int’l Perspective • Terms similar; Practice varies widely • Majority World countries face considerable education and training challenges.(Hawkridge, 1996; Patru & Khvilon, 2002; McLean & McLean, 2001) • Distance Education seen as promising solution(Patru & Khvilon, 2002) • Key differences between NA and MW • Level of technology • Centralized vs. Localized Educational Systems (Patru & Khvilon, 2002)

11. II. The Debate

12. The Debate • “no significant difference” • Significant differences • Janette McDonald (2002)

13. Comparisons Between Traditional and e-Learning Approaches Source: PrimeLearning, Inc. (2001). E-learning: A strategy for maximizing human capital in the knowledge economy.

14. The Real Question? • Question should center around usefulness of any/all methods in helping individuals learn. (McIsaac, 1999) • Andragogical principles still apply and new methods and theories are evolving.(McDonald, 2002)

15. ? ? Traditional Blended Learning ? The Debate Still Rages ? E-Learning ? Something New

16. Our Conclusion: Things are Changing in Education and Business

17. III. Distance Learning in Education “Education is about to change. … Almost everything we know about education is up for grabs: the way it is funded, designed, managed, and even delivered.” Source: The New Education Economy, 1999 , as cited in W. R. Hambrecht and Co. 2000. Corporate e-learning: Exploring a new frontier. Retrieved from http://www.wrhambrecht.com

18. DL in Education In 1998, only 58% of colleges in the United States reported offering distance learning courses. By 2002 it was about 84%. U.S. Department of Education

19. DL in Education • Schools and colleges try to embrace the new technology-mediated environment. • Technology-enhanced learning in a regular classroom • Technology-mediated learning environment • Instructor vs. student performance

20. DL in Educational Setting • What factors influence adoption of innovative DE practices? Environmental Cognitive DL Behavioral

21. DL in Educational Setting • Environmental factors (campus culture) • Administration support • System of financial and social incentives, benefits, and rewards • Wide network of support resources • Peer pressure • Availability of workshops, trainings, and consulting • Availability of hardware/software

22. DL in Educational Setting • Cognitive factors • Cyber-anxiety • Self-efficacy • Need to re-evaluate one’s own teaching philosophy • Unfamiliarity and lack of experience with the specifics of new learning environments and instructional practices to be used

23. DL in Educational Setting • Behavioral • Time commitment • Lack of compelling reasons to try new teaching/learning technologies • Personal risk

24. Possible solutions • Creating a supportive campus culture • Establishing a system of rewards and incentives • Resources to develop self-efficacy through computer training and workshops, coaching, mentoring • Assessment (does it work?) • Communication with emphasis on inclusion

25. IV. Distance Learning in Training - Corporate E-Learning

26. What is E-Learning? • E-learning can be defined as instructional content or learning experiences delivered or enabled by electronic technology. • Functionally, E-learning can include a wide variety of learning strategies and technologies. Computer-based instruction CD-ROMs Satellite-delivered learning Videoconferencing Virtual educational networks (Source: ASTD, 2001)

27. Supply • Internet access becoming standard at work and home • Advances in digital techno- logies enable creation of interactive, media-rich content • Increasing bandwidth and better delivery platforms make e-learning more attractive Demand • Rapid Obsolescence of knowledge • Need for just-in-time training delivery • Cost-effective ways to meet learning needs • Demand for flexible access to lifelong learning E-commerce/ E-business Why Companies Choose E-Learning? e-learning (Sources: SRI Consulting and WR Hambrecht + Co, 2000)

28. E-Learning Market Gaining Market Share

29. A Statistical Portrait of E-Learning • The percentage of organizations using the Internet for training purposes grew from 3 percent in 1996 to 38 percent in 1999. For intranets, the rate of growth was even higher, from 3.5 percent to nearly 40 percent. (Source: ASTD) • Web-based training, according to the survey, is expected to surge by more than 900 percent between 1999 and 2003. (Source: International Data Corporation) • A key reason is that “online training is far cheaper than bringing in a live instructor, let alone sending employees to an offsite training location. And productivity doesn’t suffer as much when employees get their how-tos at their own computers.” (Source: Business Week)

30. Advantages of E-Learning • E-learning is learner-focused. • E-learning allows employees to learn at their own pace. • There is no lag time between hiring and training. • E- learning offers cost and time savings.

31. Disadvantages of E-learning • E-learning has no personal touch. • E-learning does not promote problem-solving. • E-learning does not allow students to build network. • E-learning is expensive to develop.

32. Future of Distance Learning “Online learning is not the next big thing;it is the now big thing.” - Donna J. Abernathy,Editor of Training and Development, 1999

33. Future Trends • UNESCO is expecting the following trends toshape Distance Learning in North America • Blended Learning Solutions • Continued simultaneous cooperation and competition among traditional colleges and universities and new online only entities (Patru & Khvilon, 2002)

34. Blended Learning Blended Learning

35. VI. Class Discussion

36. Questions • What experiences have you had with distance learning, both as learners and as instructors? • How do the principles of andragogy play out differently in Distance Learning? • How do you imagine Distance Learning will affect your career?