Implementation of distance learning
and its possibilities in the educational process.
Key issues: The concept of distance learning, implementation, goals,
tasks. Educational tools in distance learning. A typology of distance learning.
Forms of distance learning.
The
development of the global Internet computer network has opened up new prospects
for improving the world educational system. This is reflected both in the
technical capacity of educational institutions, in their access to world
information resources and in the use of new types, methods and forms of
learning aimed at the active cognitive activity of students. As a result of the
new information and communication technologies, another form of education,
distance learning, has emerged.
Distance
learning is a way of organizing a learning process based on the use of modern
information and telecommunication technologies that involve distance learning
without direct contact between the teacher and the student.
In
distance learning, the student and teacher are spatially separated from each other
but are engaged in continuous cooperation organized through special training
courses, forms of control, communication methods with the help of the Internet
computer network. Computer communication tools are removing distance problems
and making communication between the teacher and the student more operative.
Distance
learning is based on the pedagogical technologies of different-paced education,
the autonomy of students in self-education in various educational fields, the
combination of different forms and methods of interaction between the teacher
and the student. The educational process in distance learning is based on a
focused and controlled, intensive, independent work of the student, who can
learn in a convenient place for them, on an individual schedule, with a set of
special educational tools and an agreed opportunity to contact the teacher.
Like
any form or system of education, distance learning has the same component
composition: Objectives, content, also in large part determined by many of the
existing programs for a particular type of institution; methods, organizational
forms and educational tools.
The
primary objectives of distance learning at school are:
- a
basic school curriculum for those students who are unable to attend school
because of various reasons or for some period of time;
- the
preparation of students on selected school subjects for passing the
examinations as external students;
- the
preparation of students for entering the educational institutions with a
certain educational program specialization;
-
in-depth study of the topic or the section whether it is included in the school
curriculum or not;
-
filling of gaps in knowledge, skills, and habits of students in certain
subjects of the school curriculum;
-
additional interest education of students.
Despite
the fact that the history of distance learning doesn’t exist for so many years,
a large number of funds have already been accumulated and can be used for
distance learning.
The
primary tool used in distance learning is a distance course in which students
learn and acquire the skills they need. A distance course
can comprise a wide range of elements: information slides, simulations of work
with software, interactive educational simulators, tests, role exercises, and
so on. In most cases, the distance course includes rules that define how the
participant moves from one distance course section to another in the frames of
distance learning. One of the most important characteristics of the distance
course is that it meets the current standards of distance learning.
There
is a wide range of tools that can be used to organize a student-teacher
interaction in the framework of distance learning. This is e-mail, chat, forum,
blog, video- and audio conferencing.
A
powerful tool, the virtual classroom, has been created to conduct distance
learning in complex and large disciplines. Usage of the virtual classroom in
distance learning gives the opportunity to fully reproduce the education
process that proves to be equivalent to the education in regular school
classes. The students can talk to each other, see each other, write to each
other, write on a virtual board that is visible to all students and a lecturer.
They can also share their materials etc.
In addition
to distance courses, students often need additional materials that they can use
during distance learning. To facilitate access to materials, to create an
effective search, students are given access to e-libraries during their
distance learning.
Web
2.0 tools are now becoming increasingly popular in the process of developing a
distance-learning course. A feature of Web 2.0 is the principle of involving
users to fill the content and do multiple content reconciliations. The world
virtual Encyclopedia, Wikipedia is an example. The use of Web 2.0 technologies
can be quite diverse. For example, participants of a distance course can
fulfill their assignments jointly. In this case, the final course grade is
based on the measurement of the activity of a participant.
Today,
distance learning requires a wide range of different tools, services and
technologies.
The
only specialized distance learning tool that is part of the top 10 of the
distance learning tools is the Moodle distance educational system. This is
readily understandable, as this distance-learning tool has a fairly broad
functional and is moreover free of charge.
Among
leaders of distance learning tools are in different forms the following
resources: YouTube; Google Docs; Twitter; Skype; Prezi; WordPress; Moodle;
Slideshare; Gloster; Dropbox.
Distance
learning, by providing educational services to remote users regardless of time
constraints, is assuming an increasingly important role, showing interactivity,
flexibility, and a variety of forms. It provides the opportunity to study at
all stages, from primary to tertiary, without restricting students by age. It
provides great opportunities in the selection of disciplines. It uses a wide
range of methods, especially visual techniques. Distance learning allows to
implement a learning process individually (through e-courses) and collectively
(through webinars, video conferencing, chat rooms, and other forms of
discussions organization). Furthermore, the interaction of the participants is
organized both synchronously, that is, online, and asynchronously, when
participants get access at different times, ask their questions and submit
works, and wait for feedback.
Chat-sessions
are the training sessions carried out with the usage of chat technologies. Chat
sessions are held synchronously, meaning that all participants have
simultaneous access to the chat.
Video
classes are distance lessons, conferences, seminars, business games, laboratory
works, workshops, and other forms of learning sessions conducted using the
telecommunications and other features of the World Wide Web. They differ from
the chat-sessions by the possibility of longer (multi-day) work and the
asynchronous nature of the interaction of students and teachers.
Teleconferencing
is usually based on mailing lists with the usage of e-mail. Teleconferencing
enables a general discussion among students on educational topics and is
managed by a lecturer who proposes the subject of discussion.
Videoconferencing
as a form of learning is quite perspective. Because a teacher may lecture or
teach the participants in the live air, having the possibility of communicating
with them. This is a very popular practice in Europe and the United States,
where the technical problems of videoconferencing via telecommunications have
been resolved.
Distance
learning is a democratic, simple, and free educational system. It is now
actively used for obtaining additional education. A student who constantly
fulfills practical assignments acquires sustainable automatic skills. Theoretical
knowledge is absorbed without further efforts, integrating seamlessly into
training exercises. Theoretical and practical skills building can be achieved
through the systematic learning the materials and listening to and repeating
the audio and video exercises following a professional native speaker.
Education with the utilization of modern software and technology makes
e-learning more effective. New technologies make visual information vivid and
dynamic, and build the educational process itself, considering the active
interaction of a student with the educational system. Today, it is not possible
to imagine technology without the development of Internet networks, high-speed
Internet access, the use of multimedia technology, sound, video, which makes distance
learning courses comprehensive and interesting.
Distance
education certainly has advantages over traditional forms of learning. It
addresses the psychological problems of the students, eliminates temporal and
spatial constraints. It solves the problems of remoteness from accredited
educational institutions, helps to teach people with disabilities, which have
their individual and uncommon characteristics. Furthermore, it enhances the
communicative sphere of students and teachers.
Currently,
distance learning offers great opportunities to teach students with
disabilities, home-schooled students or those who are sick for a long time.
Home-based education makes them disconnected from the world with coevals and
limits educational opportunities to personal communication with the teacher.
Distance learning allows to show both them and other students that they are all
equal, and people with disabilities can also be taught on equal terms with
healthy students. That is, the introduction of distance learning into
educational institutions can solve many social as well as ethical problems.
Implementation
of distance learning allows solving the issue of flexible learning schedule.
The classes take place at any time, with any intensity. The start of providing
the participants with the material and the pace of doing it is based on an
individual approach. Distance learning allows addressing the problem that
long-sick children fall behind in learning of the school subject. The teachers
can easily place their presentations, recommendations, test and creative
assignments, and conduct online consultations. They can post their materials on
the website of the school in the “Distance learning” section, on the own
website of the teacher.
Because
of the interactive style of communication and operational interaction in the
distance learning, it is possible to personalize the learning process.
Depending on the academic performance of the students, the teacher can apply a
flexible, individual learning methodology, offer additional, student-oriented
training modules and references on the information resources. Because the time
factor is not critical, students can also choose their own pace of learning,
that is, they can work on an individual program consistent with the general
curriculum of the course. Depending on the situation, a teacher can respond
quickly to a student’s requests, apply a flexible, individual learning
methodology, and offer additional, student-oriented learning modules. The time
allotted for consultation with the teacher is sometimes not enough, so it is
very convenient for the student and the teacher to communicate and resolve
emerging issues over the Internet.
It
should also be noted that as a result of integrating students into the open
educational process using distance learning technologies, they have developed
some information technology skills. Moreover, they have got a motivation for
lifelong learning through distance education.
Summarizing
all above-mentioned information, it can be said that distance learning is
multi-functional. It helps not to miss an opportunity to obtain necessary
knowledge. And it is possible both for people with disabilities and those who
have dropped out of the educational process for short period of time. It also
helps to estimate your capacities correctly and to organize your activities. It
also benefits the expansion of the communicative sphere of students and
teachers. And it also helps to demonstrate your abilities in creativity, to
realize the need to fantasize, to invent and to create something.
Distance
learning is in line with the humanism principle, according to which no one
shall be deprived of learning because of poverty, geographical or temporal
isolation, social insecurity and inability to attend educational institutions
because of physical incapacities or occupational and personal affairs.
Absorbing the best features of other forms of education, distance learning has
entered the twenty-first century as the most promising, synthetic, humanistic
and integral form of education.
Distance
learning is a modern, universal form of education, oriented on the individual
demands of students and their specialization. It provides a great opportunity
for all persons wishing to continually upgrade their professional skills with
taking into account individual peculiarities. Distance learning began steadily
win its position in the educational process together with the traditional forms
of education.
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