Thesis on "Distance Learning vs. Distance Teaching"

Thesis 5 pages (1380 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Distance Learning

How distance teaching differs

Distance education differs in a number of major respects from teaching in the conventional classroom. One of the most problematic issues that confront the distance education teacher is ascertaining and understanding the way that students respond and relate to learning in this environment. Therefore, "...distance teaching remains a challenge for the inexperienced instructor. " (Chapter 6, p.135) This also points to the contemporary emphasis on increased instruction in the training and development of distance education teachers.

A related but major difference in teaching in the distance education environment is familiarity with and mastery of the necessary technology. While teachers are familiar with the classroom environment, not all are familiar with modern technologies that are required to facilitate adequate distance education. (Chapter 6, p.135)

In essence, the difference in teaching in the distance education context requires a transformation of the qualities that normally make for good teaching methods. Teacher who are normally responsive and empathetic to their students have to learn how to provide the same awareness of the needs of their students, taking into account the technological and communicative facets that are available in this new environment.

Coupled with this is a central function of the distance education teacher; namely to teach their students how to become more independent and cope with the particular demand of this relatively new learning environment. (Chapter 6, p.135) the teacher also needs to be aware of aspects such as feedback and response in terms of marking and results from assignments. The students also have to be taught to understand these processes.

Recent trends of the way that distance education teaching differs from conventional teaching can be seen in various studies that have attempted to understand the different types of student that may be taught and their specific needs in the distance education environment. In other words, a central contemporary requirement for the modern distance education teacher is to understand and respond to the different requirements and expectations of different types and groups of students. In the distance education environment a teacher may encounter students from different backgrounds, age groups and other variables in the virtual classroom, and these factors have to be dealt with by the teacher.

In this regard, Moore and Kearsley discuss the nature of adult education in Distance Education: A System's View. This study attempts to investigate the different apaches required by the teacher to deal with adult learners and children at school. The study found, for example, that adult learners are often more highly motivated and also show different set of learning expectations; such as a greater propensity to ask question and interrogate given facts. They also showed a tendency to be more independent and in control.

In a study entitled, Preparing Our Teachers for Distance Education by Christina De Simone, the following assessment was made of the differences between distance and conventional teaching environments.

The majority of faculty have little knowledge about what DE is, what it entails, and how it is successfully taught... Yet instructors receive little or no training prior to being assigned a DE course...which leads to teachers being underprepared, frustrated, isolated, and disillusioned. Teaching at a distance requires methods of instructional delivery that are different from the strategies and approaches commonly used in a traditional classroom setting because the structure of the teaching is changed. (De Simone, 2006)

The above quotation emphasizes certain cardinal points. In distance education teachers face an environment that is changed, with different methods and expectations. This in turn necessitates different teaching strategies and techniques. What is also implied in the above extract is that more intensive and coordinated teaching instruction is needed to prepare the teacher for this modern environment. De Simone (2006) also notes that, it is important to institute a training program for initial preparation and ongoing support that is sensitive to the needs of the teacher and the learning goals. Such a program should recognize that teachers need time to become familiar with the technology, their pedagogy in the DE environment, and their role as DE teachers. (De Simone, 2006)

Furthermore, teacher institutions should not only prepare the teacher for this… READ MORE

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