QUICK RESOURCE SHEET #82

Distance learning

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What is meant by distance learning? Here are a few definitions found on the Web:

A method of instruction delivered primarily by distance using forms of technology such as satellites, computers, tele-conferencing networks, televisions/radio broadcasts and other mechanisms. Support programmes may be required involving the more conventional institution-based and face-to-face methods of learning but the key component of a distance learning programme is delivered outside the institution without face-to-face instruction.
www.ntatt.org/glossary.html

Learning that takes place when the instructor and student are separated by space and/or time. The gap between the two can be bridged through the use of technology - such as audio tapes, videoconferencing, satellite broadcasts and online technology - and/or more traditional delivery methods, such as the postal service.
www.oln.org/student_services/definitions.php

The incorporation of video and audio technologies so that students can "attend" classes and training sessions that are being presented at a remote location. Distance learning systems are usually interactive and are becoming a highly-valuable tool in the delivery of training and education to widely-dispersed students or in instances where the instructor cannot travel to the student's site.
www.ohsu.edu/vcs/glossary/

Learning where the instructor and the students are in physically separate locations. Can be either synchronous or asynchronous. Can include correspondence, video or satellite broadcasts, or e-learning. Usually implies the higher education level.
www.directdegree.com/s/DistanceEducationGlossary.shtml

http://www.uwex.edu/disted/

“The Distance Education Clearinghouse is a comprehensive and widely recognized Web site bringing together distance education information from Wisconsin, national, and international sources. New information and resources are being added to the Distance Education Clearinghouse on a continual basis.”

http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/

“The literature database contains bibliographic information on over 12,000 books, journal articles, research reports, conference papers, dissertations and other types of literature relating to all aspects of the theory and practice of distance education.”

http://www.eslmag.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=34

“Within education there is much controversy surrounding distance learning. This is related primarily to how well it works for our students and to the uncertainty surrounding the future of such courses. For ESL/EFL teachers, however, distance learning can be the road to career advancement and movement up the salary scale. Because of its very nature, it makes it possible for teachers, ESL or otherwise, to go back to school without ever leaving their homes.”

http://www.usdla.org/html/resources/dictionary.htm

A Distance Learning glossary provided by the United States Distance Learning Association

http://www.eden-online.org/eden.php

“EDEN has actively been supporting EURODL, the European Journal of Open and Distance Learning, which is an electronic, multi-media journal on distance and e-learning distributed on the Internet. It publishes the accounts of research, development and teaching for Europe in its most inclusive definition, exploring the potential of electronic publishing. EURODL presents scholarly work and solid information about open, distance and e-learning, education through telematics, multimedia, on-line learning and co-operation. EURODL is free to readers and contributes to the Open Content movement.”

http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~lsherry/pubs/issues.html

“Traditionally, we think of distance learners as adults. Whole institutions of higher learning, such as the United Kingdom's Open University, Vancouver's Open Learning Agency, Norway's NKS and NKI Distance Education organizations, Florida's Nova University, and a host of others, have been dedicated to providing distance education at the post-secondary level for decades. The University of South Africa (UNISA), in Praetoria, serving both black and white students, has had a successful distance learning program for decades. The Televised Japanese Language Program, developed at North Carolina State University, provides instruction in Japanese to ten colleges and universities in five Southeastern states (Clifford, 1990). The adult learner tradition is now changing as new programs, such as the US. Federal government’s Star Schools Program, come into existence to serve the K-12 student population.|

Previous editions of the QUICK RESOURCE SHEET

#1 – Creating quizzes (and more) online                                                         

#2 – Vocabulary builders

#3 – Online discussion groups for English teachers                                    

#4 – Grammar headaches – and how to cure them

#5 – Resources for new teachers                                                     

#6 – International Education Week

#7 – Mentoring programs                                                                    

#8 – Education publications online

#9 – Applied Linguistics                                                                   

#10 – English for Young Learners

#11 – World AIDS Day                                                                      

#12 – Online writing guides

#13 – E-mail exchanges                                                                      

#14 – Free online English courses

#15 – Effective e-mail communication                                             

#16 – Libraries online

#17 – American Studies                                                                     

#18 – Teaching methodologies

#19 – Internet tutorials                                                                       

#20 – Using the newspaper – Part I

#21 – Making books                                                                           

#22 - Using the newspaper – Part II

#23 – Human rights in language teaching

#24 – Blogging

#25 – Poetry and language teaching

#26 – The communicative approach

#27 -  Idioms

#28 – Earth Day

#29 – Alternative assessment

#30 – Peer assessment

#31 – Self-assessment

#32 – Portfolio assessment – Part I

#33 -  Portfolio assessment - Part II (Online Portfolios)

#34 – Intercultural communication

#35 – Teaching Adults

#36 – Learning disorders / Special needs

#37 – Using computers in reading instruction

#38 – Use of authentic materials

#39 – English for Medical Purposes

#40 – Sources for authentic materials

#41 – Education and technology

#42 – Academic writing

#43 – Teaching and stress

#44 – Back to school

#45 – Motivating students

#46 – Action research

#47 – Internet terminology

#48 – Fluency

#49 – Curriculum design

#50 – Pragmatics

#51 - Podcasting for English teachers

#52 – Critical reading

#53 – Learner autonomy

#54 – Scaffolding

#55 – Holidays

#56 – English for Academic Purposes

#57 – Mixed-level classes

#58 – The brain and language learning

#59 – Book clubs/Readers’ groups

#60 – Teachers and technology

#61 – Using video in the language classroom

#62 – Internet-based classroom projects

#63 – Observing student teachers

#64 – Digital literacy

#65 – Group work

#66 – Giving feedback on student writing

#67 – Vlogging

#68 – Educational leadership

#69 – The first five minutes: How to get a class warmed up

#70 – Managing test anxiety

#71 – Developing listening comprehension

#72 – Discourse analysis

#73 – English for Tourism

#74 – Storytelling

#75 – Virtual Learning Environments

#76 – Sociolinguistics

#77 – Corpus Linguistics

#78 – Teaching teenagers

#79 – Lexical Approach

#80 – Humanism in language teaching

#81 – Collaborative teaching