Topic 5: Educational Technology

in Distance Learning
Harvinder Kaur, PhD
History of Distance Learning in
Malaysia
University Dedicated Centre

USM Centre for Distance Education (CDE)

UPM Institute of Distance Education and Learning (IDEAL)

UUM Centre for Instructional Resource Distance Learning (CIRDE)

MMU Centre for Innovation in Education (CiE) with a Distance Learning Unit

UiTM Centre for Continuing Education

UM Centre for External Degree Programmes with Distance Learning (CDL

University Instructional Methods

USM Print-based, Audio cassettes, Video cassettes, Laboratory experiments,

Video-conferencing
UPM Print-based

MMU Combined multimedia – Video-conferencing, Internet

UNITAR Virtual meet facilities – Telecommunications, Information Technology

UiTM Printed self-instructional materials, Audio tapes, F2F seminars

UM Video conferencing, Video tapes, Print-based materials

Modes of DL
 Definitions of DL
• “Distance learning is an instructional delivery
system which connects learners with
educational resources. DL provides
educational access to learners not enrolled in
educational institutions and can augment the
learning opportunities of current students.
The implementation of DL is a process which
uses available resources and will evolve to
incorporate emerging technologies”
California Distance Learning Project)
• “Distance education is planned learning that
normally occurs in different place from
teaching and as a result requires special
techniques of course design, special
instructional techniques, special methods of
communication by electronic and other
technology as well as special organisational
and administrative arrangements” (Michael
Moore, then director of the American Centre
for the Study of Distance Education)
• “The process of extending learning, or
delivering instructional resource-sharing
opportunities, to location away from a
classroom, building or site, to another
classroom, building or site by using video,
audio, computer, multimedia communications
or some combinations of these with other
traditional delivery methods” (Instructional
Telecommunication Council)
 In COL website
Distance Learning is characterised by:
used mixed-
media
Institutional components,
Separation of
accreditation; prints, radio & 2-way
teacher and
that is, tv broadcasts, communicatio
learner in Possibilities of
accredited r video-audio n allows
time or place, f2f meetings
certified by cassettes, learners &
or both in for tutorials
some computer- “teachers” to
time and
institution or based interact
place
agency; learning,
telecommunic
ations
 Two Continua of DL
Same time Different time
Same place Classroom teaching, f2f Learning resource centres
tutorials & seminars, which learners visit at their
workshops & residential leisure
schools
Different place Audio conferences & video Home study, computer
conferences; tv with one- conferencing, tutorials
way video, 2-way audio; support by email & fax
radio with listener-
response capabilties;
telephone tutorials

(Source: Adapted from COL website)

Advantages of DL
 Advantages of DL
• Providing more access
• Providing more flexibility
• Providing better learning resources
 Types of Distance Learning Providers
• Credit Bearing
– Programmes that are offered by universities for
degree qualification
• Focused
– Large number of learners of the same kind to be
trained/taught
• Non-credit bearing
– Short training programmes for lifelong learning &
open to anyone
 DL Theory
• Transactional Distance
• Interaction Theory
• Social Context
• Control
 DL Theory
• Transactional Distance
– Amount of dialogue between learner & instructor
– Amount of structure in the design
– Distance is not measured by physical separation but “cognitive distance”
• Interaction Theory
– Learner-instructor interaction
– Learner-learner interaction
– Learner-content interaction
– Learner-interface interaction
• Social Context
– Social presence- for motivation
– Social dialogue suited to learners’ needs (gauge learners’ level of social
discourse
• Control
– Locus of control shifted to learner
 Educational Technology
• “is the application of research, learning theory,
emergent technologies, and child and adult
psychology to solve instructional & performance
problems” (Caroline Media Services, 1997)
• “Applying scientific knowledge about human learning
to the practical tasks of teaching & learning”(Heinich,
Molenda & Russel, 1993)
• Educational technology = audio-visual aids,
– analogue technologies: print materials, photographs, film,
video, audio recordings & multimedia courseware
– Sophisticated digital technologies: digital multimedia,
Internet & mobile appliances
• So, how do you determine forms of
educational technology to use in distance
learning?
• A number of factors might determine what
forms or levels of technology are adopted:
• Availability of resources
• Wealth of country
• Level of education
• Growth of educational technology in country
• Acceptance of educational technology by
providers and receivers
• Vision
 Learning Management System
• Definition of LMS
• Types of LMS
 Selecting LMS for DL
• Activity 5.6
Summary