Distance Learning a New Paradigm

In the present state of our technological revolution and shifting market conditions, the American education system is challenged with providing increased educational opportunities without increased budgets. Many universities and educational institutions are answering this challenge by developing innovative distance education programs of all types.10 Distance learning is an effective alternative to the traditional classroom when barriers, such as money, time, and transportation limit access to education. At its most simplistic level, distance education is any formal approach to learning in which the majority of the instruction occurs while the educator and learner are at a distance from each other.9 Distance education takes place when the students and instructor are separated by physical distance. Technology (i.e., print, data, voice, and video), often together with face to face communication, is used to bridge the instructional gap between the teacher and students. One author has described the rapidly changing paradigm as the organizational framework and process of providing education at a distance.5 Distance learning can provide students from all walks of life with another chance at a college education. It can also provide people with limited time avenues to complete courses, accommodate people with physical disabilities, and allow employees to update their specific knowledge base at their places of employment without the traditional time requirements of being a full time student.

The history of distance learning has spanned more time than most people realize. The concept was actually born in 1892. The University of Wisconsin first used the term in its 1892 catalogue of correspondence courses.5 These correspondence courses were delivered by mail. As distance learning has evolved, different phrases have been invented to describe this innovative phenomenon. Phrases including "distance education", "distance learning", "tele-teaching", "distance teaching", "tele-work", and "tele-learning" have been used to describe the same basic process and outcomes. The technology has evolved from radio broadcasts to Sesame Street on the Public Broadcasting Channels, and eventually made television into not only a source of entertainment and advertising, but also a source for distributing education.4 During the 1970s, distance education had become a course taken via Public Broadcasting Service in the home or at work. PBS provided programs such as PBS MATHLINE and the Adult Learning Satellite Service (ALSS), which offered undergraduate-level courses and resources programming to over 2000 colleges, universities, hospitals, and other organizations equipped with satellite-receive capabilities throughout the country. The Business Channel, a service of PBS’s ALSS, offered specialized training and resource programming to our nation’s small and midsize businesses, large corporations, and continuing education in colleges and universities.3 A local school district, Hurst Euless Bedford school district, offered courses through cable television. Through the local cable company, school districts were able to offer courses for students and staff development for teachers. In recent years, distance learning has evolved into high school, undergraduate, and graduate courses offered via the Internet, two-way video conferencing, and streaming video via the Internet.

The World Wide Web and Web browsers have made the Internet a more user-friendly environment. The ability to integrate graphics, text, and sound into a single tool means that beginning users do not have to struggle with such a steep learning curve.11 The Internet has become the preferred choice of many distance learning teachers and students because of the more user-friendly interface. Instructors can build a class home page that includes information such as class syllabus, exercises, class schedule, literature references, and instructor’s biography. A web-based class recently offered at the University of North Texas, had a home page that included links to other helpful resources on the web. In CECS 5460 and CECS 5400, listserves or real time discussion bulletin boards provided the students and instructor a place to have discussions about a certain topic.

Effective distance learning requires the combined efforts of several participants, including faculty, students, and the educational institution itself. To a great extent, the success of any distance education experience is the responsibility of the instructor.9 For instructors, distance learning has created a more diverse student population. The teacher must develop an awareness for the needs of the students with little first-hand experience. Students from all over the world can take a distance learning course. The distance learning teacher often relies on technology as the principal link with students. The educator needs to be familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the distance learning equipment. They also need to feel confident about operating the equipment. A distance learning course also takes more time to develop. More time is not only needed to develop the course content but to also gain an understanding and appreciation of the participating students.9 Finally, distance education teachers need to be facilitators for their students as well as teachers. The instructor needs to carefully incorporate many instructional elements. These include the content being taught, technology, and the understanding of the students’ individual needs.

The educational institution or university is another key player in this innovative scenario. The university is able to generate more revenue because the distance learning course is available to all students who have the necessary equipment. A disadvantage to the university might be high expenses due to the equipment required, but there are many grants available to universities who are making distance learning courses available to its students. When a university offers distance learning courses, it broadens its exposure globally and gains more prestige throughout the world. Distance learning also attracts a diverse population of students from around the globe.

Students are a major factor in distance education. Some disadvantages students encounter in distance learning are isolation from teacher and other students. Consistent feedback in web based classes is that students feel isolated and "not apart" of the class as a whole. The listserve in this class has helped bridge that feeling of isolation. Many times in distance education classes students do not feel immediately comfortable with the instructor because they have not had face to face interaction. Teachers can contact students prior to the class to help reduce anxiety or stress. Using email, listserves, and bulletin boards on a consistent basis creates a sense of community among the students and instructor. Students have some great advantages by taking a distance learning course. Many times they do not have to leave the comforts of their dorm room or home environment if they have the necessary equipment. Distance education also makes it possible for students to take a course that is not offered in their community or a nearby city. In many instances distance learning eliminates scheduling problems because the content can be reviewed at the student’s own pace via the Internet.

Technology is affecting all aspects of our lives. It has made major leaps and bounds in the last twenty years. Distance learning is evidence of its tremendous impact on our society. Today, learning is no longer confined within the four walls of a classroom and in tomorrow’s communications age methods of learning will definitely break the traditional classroom mold. Students across the world will be taking more distance learning courses because it is very conducive to a fast paced lifestyle and more convenient. As more and more educators become confident and competent in technology, more and more distance learning will become available to more people. Learning is a lifelong pursuit in which training and retraining become strategies for both individual and corporate success. Distance learning will use telecommunications and many different information technologies to harness the diverse array of resources available and stimulate the growth of lifelong learning skills.3 Through distance learning, a variety of audio, video, computer, Internet, and print-based media will be combined in new and more powerful ways to help students learn the way they learn best, throughout the rest of their lives.

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