Online pedagogy as a challenge to the traditional distance education paradigm

This paper briefly discusses the educational context at The University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Australia where many courses are delivered solely online. It provides a comparison between online and traditional distance education and reflects on how online pedagogy challenges traditional distance education pedagogy. The pedagogy of print-based distance learning materials has tended to incorporate instructional design strategies aimed at providing an independent learning experience. Internet technology has created opportunities for interactive and collaborative learning which represent an alternative to traditional, autonomous approaches to the delivery of academic content

The Impact of U.S. national and state level policy on the nature and scope of K-12 virtual schooling

During the past five years, virtual schools in the United States have gained popularity and acceptance as viable alternatives to the traditional school system through provisions for charter schools under Title V, Part B, Subpart 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This paper describes the existing federal policies that are driving the online virtual school movement, and how one state, Nevada, has set forth and interpreted specific policies regarding online distance education. In addition, this paper identifies the beliefs acting as the driving forces behind such policies in the United States and discusses implications for other countries also seeking to set forth guidelines for K-12 online distance education programs

Moving an Australian dual mode university to the online environment: a case study

This paper discusses an educational initiative, USQ Online which has enabled the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Australia, to deliver multiple courses via the Internet to students worldwide. The paper briefly outlines the underlying structure and philosophy of distance education at USQ and then describes how the online initiative has evolved from this existing distance education infrastructure. The paper reflects on the conceptualisation and initiation of the USQ Online project and the consequences of an apparent shift in the pattern of teaching and learning in a higher education institution following the introduction of online teaching. An interim evaluation conducted by the authors makes the following recommendations: open communication, consultation and collaboration should form the basis of such a major institutional initiative; roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders should be clearly defined; synergies and alliances with strong partners are essential; and there should be sound technological support at all levels

Distance Education In European Higher Education - The Potential: UK Case Study

[About the project] Study 3 focuses on prospective distance education students – who are they, what do they look for, what are the barriers? For this purpose, the browsing and search behaviour on the Distance Learning Portal is analysed and five experts are asked to conduct a meta-analysis of existing research for five country cases. The term ‘better’ is used in the central research question (‘How can the distance education offer of European higher education institutions be better matched to the needs of adult learners? ’) to indicate that the project will look at both the demand and the offer side of distance education. The three studies, which are published as single online reports, are brought together in a final publication by the end of the year 2014

Key Challenges of On-Line Education in Multi-Cultural Context

In meeting the ever-growing educational needs of culturally diverse student populations, universities and colleges still seek to maintain high quality standards, both for in situ and on line education. Despite the latter's reportedly high effectiveness potential, online degree courses tend to have low students' persistence and satisfaction rates. In this pape, r we examine the role that students' and instructors' national cultures play in the way individuals learn at a distance. We argue that students' individual culture dimensions may prove influential in achieving overall learning outcomes. The key complexities for students involve understanding the instructor's role in a socio-constructivist approach, adapting online collaborative learning and acquiring academic skills. These can become crucial barriers to effective online learning. No less a challenge is presented by online distance education for instructors. Academic institutions' managements have high expectations in terms of utilizing up-to-date teaching techniques, enhancing competitive edge and maximizing cost-effectiveness. Thus, the teaching staff is expected to play an increasingly essential role in the new environment. We conclude that instructors have to develop strategies to motivate, support and counsel students with the aim of facilitating the students' on-line learning experience. This implies that teaching staff have to acquire new skills and competences vital for multicultural online education. Robert Kennedy College, whose experience is reflected in this paper, shares much of the issues of other institutions aiming to utilize distance online learning, but has the advantage that it was set up from the start as an online institution. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd

Classroom success using online distance education : methods for maximizing the effectiveness of online distance education

This review of literature was conducted to explore classroom success using online distance education and proven methods of maximizing the effectiveness of online distance education. The components of successful online distance education programs are reviewed and brought together in a paper that suggests that online education developed with careful planning will continue to grow and become a standard component of many programs. The challenges that online instruction faces as it continues to develop are also included. The future of online education is dependent on the quality that is built into courses. Technologies continue to evolve and present opportunities and challenges for administrators, instructors, and students involved in online distance education

Plagiarism in e-learning systems: Identifying and solving the problem for practical assignments

A big part of life long learning is the move from residential lectures to distance education. Distance education falls under the multi-modal policy of the teaching institution and thereby a change in student contact. The lecturer facilitating the distance education course is also faced with a problem where the quality and originality of submitted assignments need to be checked. This has always been a difficult task, as going through practical assignments and looking for similarities is a tedious job. Software checkers are available, but as yet, have not been integrated into popular online e-learning systems. If closer contact and warning to students are given at an early stage the problem is minimized as they know they are being closely monitored. As will be shown in this article, plagiarism is a current problem with online practical submissions. We will also show how this problem can be minimized through the integration of plagiarism checking tools and other checking methods into e-learning systems

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Online Education: Distance Education

Online education, both by for-profit institutions and within traditional universities, has seen recent tremendous growth and appeal - but online education has many aspects that are not well understood. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Online Education provides a thorough and engaging reference on all aspects of this field, from the theoretical dimensions of teaching online to the technological aspects of implementing online courses–with a central focus on the effective education of students.This entry focuses on Distance Education: Distance education (DE), also known as distance learning, has gone through a multitude of iterations, and theorists disagree on its defining features

How Interactions With an Academic Advisor Influence the Self-Efficacy of Online and Distance Education Students

Institutions of higher education are experiencing an increasing number of students enrolling in online or distance education courses. The majority of these students are adult learners. The increase in enrollment is beneficial to institutions of higher education, but it is overshadowed by the low degree completion rate for online and distance education learners. Academic advisors play a crucial role in guiding students to degree completion. While there has been research on the potential contributing factors in online and distance education student retention, the research has been lacking in how communications with academic advisors may influence students’ levels of self-efficacy. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the perceptions of online and distance education adult learners’ interactions with their academic advisors and how these interactions influenced their level of self-efficacy and persistence to degree completion. The researcher conducted semistructured interviews with current and recent graduates of an online or distance education program. Semistructured interviews were also conducted with current academic advisors of online and distance education students. The data revealed that interactions with academic advisors played a vital role in students’ levels of self-efficacy. Three key themes emerged from the data as contributing factors to student self-efficacy and their interactions with academic advisors: Communication-Immediacy/Individualized Advisement, Relationships-Sense of Community, and Academic Advisor Influence-Student Self-Efficacy. Developing a greater focus in these areas of academic advisement for online and distance education students may assist in increasing online and distance education student retention

Online and Distance Education for a Connected World

Learning at a distance and learning online are growing in scale and importance in higher education, presenting opportunities for large scale, inclusive, flexible and engaging learning. These modes of learning swept the world in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The many challenges of providing effective education online and remotely have been acknowledged, particularly by those who rapidly jumped into online and distance education during the crisis. This volume, edited by the University of London’s Centre for Online and Distance Education, addresses the practice and theory of online and distance education, building on knowledge and expertise developed in the University over some 150 years. The University is currently providing distance transnational education to around 50,000 students in more than 180 countries around the world. Throughout the book, contributors explore important principles and highlight successful practices in areas including course design and pedagogy, online assessment, open education, inclusive practice, and enabling student voice. Case studies illustrate prominent issues and approaches. Together, the chapters offer current and future leaders and practitioners a practical, productive, practice- and theory-informed account of the present and likely future state of online and distance higher education worldwide