What is DL?

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What is Distance Learning?

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) defines distance learning as the acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction.

Distance learning encompasses all technologies and supports the pursuit of life long learning for all. Distance learning is used in all areas of education including pre-K through grade 12, higher education, home school education, continuing education, corporate training, military and government training, and telemedicine.

Distance learning can take on many forms, causing individuals to form a variety of perceptions. The three currently popular forms of distance learning include:

Broadcast Television: An instructor delivers a lecture live over a television network into a student's home. This type of distance learning model allows one teacher to reach many students at the same time. To interact with the instructor, students would need to use telephone, email, mail, or chat.
Two-way Videoconferencing: An instructor delivers a course through a videoconferenced network (normally from one educational institution to another). This provides a point-to-point, two way delivery mode allowing students to interact directly with the instructor and ask questions synchronously (course conducted with everyone participating at the same time).
Online Learning: An instructor uses the World Wide Web to teach an Internet-based course. Students complete their coursework mainly in an asynchronous (learner complete coursework at one's own time schedule) environment in a multipoint delivery mode. Students and instructor continually interact through email, discussion boards, and occassionally using desktop Web-conferencing and chat.

In 1997, Kamehameha Schools piloted its first distance learning credit course, Hawaiian History, as a Summer School offering. Broadcasting daily from the Midkiff Learning Center TV Studio, the course was seen daily by students on public access channels statewide. Additionally, students communicated with the instructor and each other via email (and sometimes the telephone), while conducting assignments via the Internet.

In 2005, Kamehameha Schools will develop and pilot a series of online 'Ike Hawai'i courses to high school students. Instructors will facilitate and interact with students virtually using a variety of distance learning technologies. Coursework is completed mainly via the Internet integrated with
Web-conferencing and chat sessions.

Why Participate in Distance Learning?

Advantages

Learning can occur anywhere
In asynchronous clases (class which are not conducted with everyone participating together simultaneously), learners can work at their own time and own pace.
High quality course materials are specifically prepared and adapted for home study.
Learners are able to connect with a diverse range of individuals from different geographic locations.
Peer-group discussions can take place, either locally, through special sessions, or in some cases through the new technologies.
Courses can be readily adapted to meet the individual needs of students.
Resources that are restricted to a particular area can be shared across great distances. If resources are limited, then distance technologies can allow them to be share more.

Disadvantages

Not all learners feel comfortable in this environment.
Learners must be independent and self-motivated in order to proceed.
Additional preparation is required by the teacher(s).
Accessibility and connectivity are not always equal.
Teachers must learn new strategies and develop new skills for instructional delivery.
Materials may have to be adapted for different media.

Is Distance Learning for Me?

Ever wondered if distance learning is for you? Take a pre-test to determine if you are a candidate for distance learning.

Reference: Picciano, G. (2001). Distance Learning: Making Connections Across Virtual Space and Time. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 5-8.