Delivering Distance Education

Develop online courses and remote learning

Growth of Online Education
Online education has grown in recent years - 

• People are busier than ever before, moving location, working odd hours etc.
• There is a greater need than ever for people to be able to study where and when they are able to find the time.
• Technology has enabled distance education to be delivered more effectively than ever before

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Scope and Nature of Distance Education
   • Trends in Education
   • Changes in the World and their Impact on Distance Education
   • Growth in Distance Education Industry
   • Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Education
   • Forms of Distance Education
   • Traditional Distance Education (paper-based education)
   • Mentor guided projects or research
   • Video or audio courses
   • Real Time Conferencing
   • Online
   • E Learning
   • Blended learning
   • What Style of Study Works Best
   • Adapting Teacher-Learning Models to Distance Education
   • Exposition Model
   • Behavioural Model
   • Cognitive Development Model
   • Interaction Model
   • Transaction Model
   • Comparing Online Education with Traditional Distance Education
2. Getting the Student Started
   • Profiling Students who are New to Distance Education
   • Making the Transition
   • Getting Past the First Lesson
   • How to Do Assignments
   • Time Management
   • Writing Style
   • Completing Assignments
3. Supporting Students
   • Introduction to Nature and Benefits of Support Services in Distance Education
   • Types of Support Services
   • Guidelines for Counselling New or Prospective Students
   • Guidelines for Completing Assignments
   • Help with Research
   • Student Feedback
4. Real Time Support
   • Introduction
   • Dealing with Practical Work
   • Telephone Conference
   • Online Chat
   • Video Conferencing
   • Mentoring
   • Workshops and Attended Events
   • Conducting Structured Exercises in Small Groups
   • Listening Skills
   • Empathic Listening
   • Conflict
5. Managing Resources
   • Scope of Resources
   • Cost of Resourcing
   • Considering Resourcing Options
   • PBL Project to manage resources for a specified distance education course.
6. Assessment
   • Introduction
   • Various Approaches to Assessment
   • Grading
   • Types of Assessment for Distance Education
   • Submitting and Processing Assignments
   • Marking Exams
   • Exam Procedures and Processes
   • Plagiarism
   • Practical Examination
7. Student Administration
   • Introduction
   • Advice for Prospective Students
   • Enrolment Procedures
   • Student Records
   • Managing Feedback and Course Improvement
8. Communication Skills
   • Introduction
   • Interpersonal Communication Skills for Distance Education
   • Classroom Education does not Suit Everyone
   • Understanding What Impairs a Student's Focus
9. Supporting Graduates
   • Cost Vs. Benefit
   • Alumni
   • Direct Support
   • Assistance with C.V.'s
   • Networking Services
   • Career Advice
   • Ongoing Use of Student Services
   • News Bulletins

Aims

• Identify differences between various modes of distance education and other forms of education.
• Determine appropriate methods for communicating with, and motivating action from, new distance education students.
• Provide effective support services to students undertaking distance education studies.
• Explain the ways that teachers and students can work together by using effective listening skills, problem solving techniques, empathy and other interactive strategies to maintain effective and meaningful relationships in the learning process.
• Manage physical and human resources within a distance education program to achieve appropriate benefit for cost expended.
• Conduct effective assessment of distance education students.
• Conduct effective administration of distance education students.
• Improve students’ and teachers’ ability to communicate effectively in a distance education environment.
• Provide support for graduates upon or following completion of a distance education course.

The tools available for distance education have increased rapidly in recent years. 

1. More Tools for Distance Education

Many new tools have become available for Distance Educators to use (eg. Internet, email, telephone, more extensive courier services, better air services, etc)

2. Classroom Education more Costly

The cost of classroom education has become increasingly prohibitive, often resulting in a depreciation of standards and services.

3. Greater Social Acceptance of new Technologies

New technological tools have become increasingly widely available around the world.

4. Globalisation Opened up Markets

Courses can be offered to a wider demographic of people living in many different countries.

5. Busier Lifestyles

There is an ever increasing need for greater flexibility in education –which did not exist in the past. People’s lives and their life choices are constantly changing and this is being reflected in the variety and scope of educational courses being offered.

6. Self Directed Education is more effective

If you would like to improve your business or career prospects by understanding more about delivering distance learning courses, then this is the course for you.