Distance Learning - Principles for Effective Design, Delivery, and Evaluation

What delivery methods are available to make education accessible to a wide variety of potential learners? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can instructors create effective learning environments in distance courses? What support from administrators and staff is essential? What guidelines are used by accrediting agencies to assure program quality? This highly readable book by three experienced faculty members answers these questions and more. Both theoretical and practical, the book presents proven principles and research-based advice. Drawing upon their experience with a variety of delivery modes, the authors provide readers with tips they can use in designing, implementing, and evaluating distance courses and programs.

Sommario

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Background and Audience
Overview of the Contents
Our Companion Web Site
1. Distance Education: What Is It? And Why Is It Expanding So Rapidly?
Impacts of Technology on Distance Education
The Prevalence of Distance Education in the United States
Societal Changes Contributing to the Growth of Distance Education
The Impact of Distance Education on Traditional Instruction
Criticisms of Distance Education
Conclusion
2. Attracting Students to Distance Learning
How to Assess the Need and Demand for a Distance Program
Target Audience
Instructional Design and Mode of Delivery
Strategies for Marketing Distance Courses and Programs
Specific Ideas for Promoting and Marketing Distance Programs
Conclusion
3. Good Practices in Distance Education: How to Promote Student Learning and Development
The Good Practices
Summary Tips
4. The Syllabus for Distance Learning Courses
What Is a Syllabus?
More Than a List
Outline for a Syllabus: Putting It Together
Other Issues
Summary Tips
5. Delivery Methods for Distance Education
Synchronous or Asynchronous?
Synchronous Delivery Methods
Asynchronous Delivery Methods
Conclusion
6. Selecting Delivery Methods
Fundamental Principles to Observe in Selecting Delivery Methods
A Decision Tree Approach to Selecting a Delivery Method
Conclusion
7. Support Services
Support Services Prior to Enrollment
Support Services for Enrolled Students
Support Services After Course or Program Completion
Summary
8. Ensuring High Completion Rates
The Problem of Retention
Retention in Distance Education Programs
Strategies for Improving Completion Rates
Summary Tips
9. Assessing Learning Outcomes
Guiding Principles
Methods of Assessment
Conclusion
Summary Tips
10. Program Evaluation
Evaluating Program Inputs
Program Processes
Assessing Outcomes
Analysis of Costs and Outcomes
Conclusion
Summary Tips
11. Accrditation
Guidelines for Distance Learning
Providing Evidence Regarding the Program¿s Effectiveness in Meeting the Guidelines
Conclusion
Summary Tips
Conclusion
Author Index
Subjedt Index
About the Authors

Info autore

Chandra M. Mehrotra is Professor of Psychology and Dean for Special Projects at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. He received his Ph.D. in psychology from Ohio State University. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). He received his college′s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1979, the APA Division 20 Mentor Award in 2003, and the GSA′s Outstanding Mentorship Award in 2011. He directs faculty training programs in aging research with support provided by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and the Hartford Foundation. His books include: "Teaching and Aging" (Jossey-Bass, 1984), "Measuring up: Educational Assessment Challenges and Practices for Psychology" (APA Books, 2004), "Aging and Diversity: An Active Learning Experience (2nd Ed)" (Routledge, 2009), and "Assessing, Teaching and Learning in Psychology: Current and Future Perspectives" (Cengage, 2013). He has guest-edited two special issues of the journal "Educational Gerontology": (a) "Strengthening Gerontology and Geriatrics Education"; and (b) "Fostering Aging Research in Undergraduate Psychology Programs." His activities with Native American communities include civic engagement among elders, culturally appropriate program evaluation, intergenerational relationships, and improvement of teaching and learning in tribal colleges. He currently serves as a member of American Psychological Association′s Committee on International Relations in Psychology and the Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators. C. David Hollister is Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Since 1993 he has been actively involved in the development and accreditation of the school’s Master of Social Work distance education program, and he teaches distance learning courses on community practice methods and on substance abuse. He has published a number of articles evaluating distance education and has presented papers on distance education at meetings of the Council on Social Work Education, at the annual University of South Carolina Conference on Educational Technology in Social Work, and at international conferences. He is Associate Secretary General for the Inter-University Consortium for International Social Development and is member of the editorial board of Social Development Issues. His research and teaching activities have been supported by the Blandin Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, the Bush Foundation, and the National Institute on Alcohol Addiction and Abuse.

 

 Lawrence McGahey is Associate Professor, Chair of the Chemistry Department, and Chair of the Natural Sciences Division at The College of St. Scholastica. He has been involved in the development of St. Scholatistca’s distance education program as a member of the Graduate Council and Graduate Curriculum Committee. In addition, he has experience both in developing and incorporating web-based instructional materials into science courses. His research and teaching efforts have been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Research Corporation, and the U.S. Department of Education. He is also a manuscript reviewer and annotator for the Journal of Chemical Education.

 

Riassunto

What delivery methods are available to make education accessible to a wide variety of potential learners? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How can instructors create effective learning environments in distance courses? What support from administrators and staff is essential? What guidelines are used by accrediting agencies to assure program quality? This highly readable book by three experienced faculty members answers these questions and more. Both theoretical and practical, the book presents proven principles and research-based advice. Drawing upon their experience with a variety of delivery modes, the authors provide readers with tips they can use in designing, implementing, and evaluating distance courses and programs.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: C . David Hollister, C. David Hollister, Lawrence McGahey, McGahey Lawrence, Chandra Mehrotra, Chandra Mohan Mehrotra
• Editore: Sage Publications
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 06.11.2001
• EAN: 9780761920885
• ISBN: 978-0-7619-2088-5
• Pagine: 256
• Peso: 510 g
• Categorie: Scienze umane, arte, musica > Pedagogia > Pedagogia scolastica, didattica, metodica; JUVENILE NONFICTION / Science & Nature / General, Teaching of a specific subject, Educational: Sciences, General Science, EDUCATION / Teaching / Subjects / General, Distance Learning;Study Skills