Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By
Jean Pounder
Texas Tech University
As with any educational program proper planning and design is important, this is
especially true of distance education programs. The key is to create a course that
is designed to meet the needs of the learner.
Several design models have been created to aid in this process, but the most
popular and widely used is the Dick and Carey Model. It is a linear sequential
model based on a unit-model-topic approach to instruction. It consists of ten
steps, the first being identifying learning goals through a needs assessment,
instructional goals must be established before beginning the instructional design
process. Next is to conduct instructional analysis of the learners prior skills and
knowledge. These skills must be taken into account to develop a step-by-step
description to help achieve instructional goals. In order to create the best learning
environment, the instructor, in addition to analyzing the learners prior skills and
knowledge must also take into account attitude, motivation and learning
preferences. Analysis of learners and contexts is important for developing
appropriate learning or instructional strategies. To inform learners on what they
will be able to do and to serve as a basis for assessments instructors need to
create performance objectives. Once the performance objectives have been
identified then assessments can be written that measure these objectives. At this
point instructional strategies can be developed that address the learning
objectives. The strategies include pre-learning activities, content, participation,
The best part of this design method is that formative assessments along the way
drive the continuation of learning process. It allows the instructor to know what
the students understanding is and to adapt future lessons to the needs of the
student.
Students
learning students fit this profile, some need additional support to effectively learn
in this setting.
Teaching
As the instructor for an online course it is important to get to know and
understand your students. This begins with communication usually in the
beginning though an introductory e-mail and the course syllabus. In the syllabus
the instructor provides contact information so that the student knows the best
way and time to make contact. The syllabus also outlines the purpose of the
course, the expectations and due dates. Information about the use of technology
for the course and where to get help with IT issues should also be included.
Management
Before online courses are offered it is important that the institution have policies
in place to facilitate the organization and management of the courses. The four
main divisions of policy formation are regulatory, course, student and logistics,
often added to policy is accessibility, so that all learners are included in the
educational process (Kay & Rumble, 1981). Regulation occurs in education at
the federal, state, and local accreditation agencies. Course policies involve
planning, design and resources in the development and management process.
Student policies regulate the readiness and support systems for student success
in online learning. Logistics include the funding required for the purchase and
maintenance of the technology infrastructure and the training required to run the
system. Schools are required to make sure that students with handicaps have
access to the same resources as non-handicapped students; this includes
students with lower socioeconomic status. Schools however are not required to
provide computers and software for students personal use (Simonson, M. et al.
2012).
printing press copyright has been an important law that protects the creations
and intellectual property of individuals. Copyright protects the reproduction,
distribution, performance and display of works created by others. In educational
settings these rules can often be limited if Fair Use can be established. There
are four factors for determining fair use, purpose of use, nature of the work,
amount of the work, and effect on the market for the original work. Only if three or
more criteria are met can fair use be claimed. The purpose must be not for profit,
educational, or personal use. Nonfiction works are generally considered for fair
use as opposed to fictional or more creative works. The use of whole works is
often frowned upon, whereas using only a small portion of a work is usually more
permissible. The final consideration is the monetary effect the use will have on
the owner. If the use of the work will cause the owner to loose money fair use is
often denied.
References
Kay, A., & Rumble, G. (1981). Distance Teaching for Higher and Adult Education.
London: Croon Helm/The Open University Press.
Lindsay, J., & Davis, V. (2012). Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds:Move to
Global Collaboration One Step at a Time: Pearson.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and
Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education. Boston, MA:
Pearson.