Making Distance Education Work: Understanding Learning and Learners At a Distance: Understanding Learning and Learners At a Distance - Softcover

Levine, S Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1411653556 ISBN 13: 9781411653559

Publisher: Lulu.com, 2005

Synopsis

A guide for effective development & delivery of distance education programs. Focuses on principles of distance education, clarifications of who distance education learners are, and examples of learner-focused distance education programs. An essential reference for those about to create distance education programs, those currently conducting distance education programs, and learners who are considering the challenge of learning at a distance.

“This is a must-read for all educators and learners who are committed to enhancing and succeeding in teaching and learning at a distance. From theoretical grounding in adult learning to very unique, practical tools and suggestions that translate theory into successful practice, this book brings forth essential new insights to the distance education arena. We come away challenged to further enhance our own efforts in formal and nonformal distance education.” (Joan Cybela, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Extension)

About this title

About the Author

S. Joseph Levine is Professor Emeritus at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. His scholarly areas of focus are adult learning, the planning of educational programs for adults, and educational program evaluation. With a strong background in electronics and technology, Joe has been involved with a variety of distance education initiatives for both formal and nonformal education. In particular he has been an advocate for the learner and is concerned that distance education programs be developed that respond to the unique needs of each learner. Originally trained as a classical musician, Joe enjoys carpentry, gardening and being consumed by the Internet.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Probably the most essential characteristic of the successful learner in a distance education teaching and learning environment is that the learner must be willing and able to be self-directing. Such a self-directing learner is one who is able to take responsibility for his or her own learning agenda. Deciding what to learn, how to learn it, when to learn it, and when the learning goal has been achieved are all important aspects that a self-directing learner must consider. For distance education to make a serious and constructive impact on an individual demands that the individual be a full and active participant in the learning environment. In other words, a learner who is accepting and exercising responsibility for his or her own learning.

Why is self-direction such an important consideration in distance education? Any time there is an instructional system that is removed from the learner because of location, the teacher loses a significant amount of control over the learner. And, of course, control by the teacher often plays a major role in the teaching and learning environment. Without a lot of teacher control, the situation we most often find in distance education, the assumption is that the learner will step in and exercise the needed control to make learning successful.

This student-directed learning can be very exciting when it happens. As a teacher, it s a wonderful feeling to be involved with a group of learners who are willing to accept responsibility for learning. However, in many cases the very opposite can be true. The learner can be acting in very dependent ways and working hard to avoid accepting responsibility. This situation can be disastrous in a distance education setting and can often leave the teacher without the power to facilitate or direct much learning.

One of the many challenges for the distance education teacher then is to recognize this need for self-directedness on the part of the learner and to begin to build it from the very beginning of the program.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1411653556
• ISBN 13: 9781411653559
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 253