Distance Education Knowledgebase

The following is a brief listing of peer-reviewed research on selected topics in Distance Education:

1. How has distance education evolved over the years?

Online Learning: New Educational Environments in Order to Respect Diversity through Cooperative Strategies (Ciges, 2001)

Going the Distance with Online Education (Larreamendy-Joerns & Leinhardt, 2006)

2. How is distance education different than face-to-face education?

How Does Distance Education Compare with Classroom Instruction? A Meta-Analysis of the Empirical Literature (Bernard, Abrami, Lou, Borokhovski, et.al., 2004)

Business Ethics Training: Face-to-Face and at a Distance (French, 2006)

3. What special needs does a distance learner have?

Constructing Virtual Worlds: Tracing the Historical Development of Learner Practices (Barab, Hay, Barnett & Squire, 2001)

4. What specific skills does a teacher need in an online environment to meet the needs of students?

Prospective Teachers' Problem Solving in Online Peer-Led Dialogues (Wade, Fauske & Thompson, 2008)

Conducting a Distance Education Course When You are the Distant One (Roper, 2004)

Effective Teacher Behaviors and Michael Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance (Shannon, 2002)

5. What theoretical frameworks or perspectives influence distance education?

Defining, Assessing, and Promoting E-Learning Success: An Information Systems Perspective (Holsapple & Lee-Post, 2006)

Globalization and the Emergence of For-Profit Higher Education (Morey, 2004)

6. What are the trends in distance education?

Exploring a Distance Education Partnership between Historically Black Colleges and Universities and African Universities (Ayadi, Adekoya & Ikem, 2005)

Distance Education' and 'E-Learning': Not the Same Thing (Guri-Rosenblit, 2005)

7. What are the challenges (for students, for teachers, for schools) for distance education?

The Design of Online Learning Communities: Critical Issues (Charalambos, Michalinos & Chamberlain, 2004)

Competing in the Marketplace: Incorporating Online Education into Higher Education (Folkers, 2005)

Understanding the Real Barriers to Technology-Enhanced Innovation
in Higher Education (Schneckenberg, 2009)

Facebook Friends (Houston Chronicle, 2008)

Copyright in the Classroom (Houston Chronicle, 2010)



8. What are the rewards (for students, for teachers, for schools) of distance education?

Students' Perceptions of Academic Motivation, Interactive Participation, and Selected Pedagogical and Structural Factors in Web-Based Distance Learning (Carey & Gregory, 2002)

Distance Education Vocabulary

• Distance Education - Education that encompasses a variety of methods to support learners educational goals without requiring their attendance (or minimal attendance) in face-to-face classes.
  

• Distance Learning - Learning that is delivered through electronic means such as television, interactive video conferencing, or computer networks.

• Online Learning - Learning where most or all of the content is delivered online. Typically there are no face-to-face meetings.
  

• Web-Based Learning - Learning that utilizes the web to deliver course materials and activities entirely on the world wide web. Students are typically not required to come to a campus in order to successfully complete the course.
  

• Hybrid Learning - Learning that occurs with regularly scheduled classroom time replaced throughout the term at a distance and managed online via an institution's course management system. Typically, a ratio is defined to distinguish hybrid learning from online learning (e.g. 40% face-to-face and 60% online).
  

• e-Learning - Learning that uses electronic media for various learning purposes (e.g. add-on functions in face-to-face classrooms, substitution of face-to-face classes with online encounters) (Guri-Rosenbilt, 2005)
  

• Blended Learning - Similar to hybrid learning but may utilize additional distance learning methods other than online/face-to-face methods.
  

• Distributed Learning - Learning that uses a multi-media method of instructional delivery that includes a mix of Web-based instruction, streaming video conferencing, face-to-face classroom time, distance learning through television or video, or other combinations of electronic and traditional educational models.

• Flexible Learning - Learning that is tailored to suit the needs of the learner.
  

• Open Learning - An approach to learning that gives students flexibility and choice over what, when, at what pace, where, and how they learn.

• Synchronous Learning - Web-based learning in which communication is simultaneous. (e.g. chat rooms, interactive video, two-way interactive voice-chat).
• Asynchronous Learning - Web-based learning in which the communication does not take place at the same time (e.g. private mail, discussion boards, bulletin boards).

• Course Management Software/System (CMS) - A course managements system is the software that "serves" course content to your students. It also allows you to manage student use of the courses and to monitor student progress, and it provides tools for student-student and student-instructor communication.

• Learning Management Software/System (LMS) - a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training programs, classroom and online events, e-learning programs, and training content.
  

Web 2.0 Tools for Communication

Name of the Tool:
TokBox

URL of the Tool:
www.tokbox.com

Category:
Communication Tool

Basic description of the TokBox:
TokBox is a web 2.0 Communication Tool that allows the user to videoconference up to 20 people for free without the need to download anything. You can share videos, documents, presentations, and photos. You can also record and send video messages. You can purchase options to broadcast and/or moderate sessions to an audience of up to 200 people.

What do you need to know before using TokBox:
Prospective users should be familiar with setting up and using a webcam.

What do you need to have before using Tokbox:
Users only need internet access and a webcam. You will also need to have all of your contacts information (email, IM address) in order to setup a TokBox video conference.

How to get started using TokBox:

Go to tokbox website: www.tokbox.com

Create your TokBox account:










Once you have created your account, add contacts to your TokBox (either by email address by clicking on the "+" sign or by logging into one of your social networking websites.



















Update your profile and account setting by going to the account drop arrow at the top-right corner of the screen.

Congratulations! You are now ready to create your own TokBox Videoconference / Video Chat. Click on one of the icons to begin:










TokBox sample:
Currently a TokBox video chat cannot be recorded. I have found a slideshare presentation that shows how to setup a slideshare video once you have an account.

Tokbox 1

Retrieved from: http://www.slideshare.net/henghx

Examples of using TokBox in the teaching environment:
The following are potential uses for TokBox in a teaching environment:

Educators in a public speaking online course can use TokBox to have students present speeches either one-on-one with the professor, in small collaborative groups, or for presentation to the entire class. TokBox allows the presenter to readily see audience response as his/her speech is given. This is one of the major concerns in delivering a Public Speaking course online.

Students in online courses can use TokBox as a means of collaboration to discuss group assignments and share pertinent information.

Instructors in a particular subject area can use TokBox for meetings and/or collaboration. Distirct-wide instructors can collaborate from their own classrooms/offices without the need to travel to one place to conduct training sessions.

Teachers can use TokBox to communicate with parents and conduct parent-teacher conferences or progress updates.

Advantages of using TokBox in a teaching environment:
TokBox is a free to use and only needs internet access and a webcam to use without the need to download anything.

Disadvantages of using TokBox in a teaching environment:
Some aspects are in Beta testing and may be removed or implemented with a fee at anytime.

Privacy and parental issues may arise if used in middle or secondary schools by educators.

Network security issues may prevent school districts from using TokBox.

Web 2.0 Tools for Creativity and Innovation

Name of the Tool:
WordSift

URL of the Tool:
www.wordsift.com

Category:
Creativity Tool

Basic description of the WordSift:
Wordsift is a web 2.0 creativity tool used for vocabulary building. Text can be entered into wordsift and the 50 most common words in the text is displayed as hyperlinks. Users can then delve into a wealth of resources provided on wordsift to learn more about the vocabulary words.

What do you need to know before using WordSift:
There is no prerequisite knowledge necessary in order to use WordSift.

What do you need to have before using WordSift:
It is recommended to plan what you would like to display in wordsift. This is probably the most time consuming step.

How to get started using WordSift and an example of using WordSift in the teaching environment:



Advantages of using WordSift in a teaching environment:
WordSift is a great visual aid to assist students in exploring meanings and examples of vocabulary. It takes the "Can you use the word in a sentence" to the next level and heightens the learning experience for students.

Disadvantages of using WordSift in a teaching environment:
WordSift looks at single words only. For example using a Wordsift on compound words such as "distance learning", "asynchronous learning", etc. will not have these words show together to search for their meaning. It does not record words being input with commas to differentiate single vs. compound words.

Web 2.0 Tools for Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Name of the Tool:
bubbl.us

URL of the Tool:
http://bubbl.us/

Category:
Creative Thinking and Problem Solving Tool

Basic description of the bubbl.us:
Bubbl.us is a web 2.0 tool useful for brainstorming, mind-mapping, or concept mapping. Bubbl.us helps the user "visualize" the process and save it. Once saved it can be shared with others, printed as an image, or embedded in a website.

What do you need to know before using bubbl.us:
There is no prerequisitie knowledge necessary prior to using bubbl.us.

What do you need to have before using bubbl.us:
There are no required resources necessary in order to use bubbl.us.

How to get started using bubbl.us:

Part 1 (of 2) Screencasts using Screenr:




Part 2 (of 2) Screencasts using Screenr:






Examples of using bubbl.us in the teaching environment:


I created this bubbl.us for my research topic to use as a guide for literature review in my upcoming Research Methods course for Fall 2010:






I also found a few links featuring examples of using bubbl.us in Education:

In English:

http://teacheng.us/?s=bubbl

In mathematics:

http://marynabadenhorst.globalteacher.org.au/files/2009/04/bubblus_triangles2.jpg

And in the social sciences:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2500/3922793785_e6eb82d0fb.jpg


Advantages of using bubbl.us in a teaching environment:
Bubbl.us is a great tool for instructors teaching the research basics or courses that
include critical thinking projects or case studies. Bubbl.us provides visual road maps for learners to help them outline their main points for discussion and writing.

Disadvantages of using bubbl.us in a teaching environment:
Currently bubbl.us does not allow for collaboration to be done while composing the project. Once a project is saved and shared then it collaboration can occur.

The version I used to produce the example is in beta (ver. 2.0). At anytime it can be removed or a few imposed for users to access all of the features that are currently free.

Web 2.0 Tools for Reflection, Feedback, and Networking

Name of the Tool:
Twiducate

URL of the Tool:
www.twiducate.com

Category:
Reflection, Feedback, and Networking Tool

Basic description of Twiducate:
Twiducate is a web 2.0 reflection, feedback, and networking tool used for schools. Twiducate allows you to create online community of your classroom, share inspiration, ideas, and thoughts. Instructors can also post discussions, deadlines and homework. Twiducate also allows you to create surveys and keep parents informed of daily projects and allow students to collaborate, share ideas and connect with friends outside of school.

What do you need to know before using Twiducate:
There is no prerequisite knowledge necessary in order to use Twiducate.

What do you need to have before using Twiducate:
There are no required materials necessary prior to using Twiducate.

How to get started using Twiducate:

1. Go to Twiducate website (www.twiducate.com)
2. Click on the "Sign Up Now" link to create your account.















3. Complete the information to create your account:






















4. Once created you will be brought to the main menu for your course.






















5. From your main menu you can manage students in the course:

















6. Add resources (URLs, etc) for your course:
















7. Add assignment dates, reminders, or deadlines:


















8. Or add additional classes by clicking on the "+" sign next to your course code:















Example of using Twiducate in the teaching environment:

Here is a youtube video of using twiducate
in the teaching environment:

Advantages of using Twiducate in a teaching environment:
Twiducate is a free and safe tool for educators to use to collaborate with students, other teachers, and parents in regards to total learning experience. When first released twiducate was only limited to one class, since the initial beta version it has changed and instructors can now add multiple classes.

Disadvantages of using Twiducate in a teaching environment:
Some school districts and parents may limit the access to twiducate which limits the potential for success for the student, parent, teacher relationship.

Web 2.0 Tools for Reflection, Feedback and Networking

Web 2.0 Tools for Presentation