Lesson Structure: Delivering Distance Education BGN108

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

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

5  Managing Resources

• Scope of Resources
• Cost of Resourcing
• Considering Resourcing Options
• PBL Project to manage resources for a specified distance education course.
• Conflict

6  Assessment

• Introduction
• Various Approaches to Assessment
• Grading
• Types of Assessment for Distance Education
• Submitting and Processing Assignments
• Marking Exams
• Exam Procedures and Processes
• Plaigiarism

7  Student Administration

• Introduction
• Advice for Prospective Students
• Enrolment Procedures
• Student Records

8  Communication Skills

• Introduction
• Interpersonal Communication Skills for Distance Education
• Classroom Education does not Suit Everyone
• Understanding What Impairs a Student’s Focus
• Managing Feedback and Course Improvement
• Practical Examination

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

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Learning Goals: Delivering Distance Education BGN108

• 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.

Practicals:

• Investigate the scope and nature of distance education being used in your country, both by: a/ Government Education Services and b/ Private enterprise
• Describe which method of distance education you think is most appropriate for specified skills
• Interview students from the same course or a course in the same field to find what motivates them to complete the course.
• Give an example of a positive and a negative incentive in an educational setting.
• Give an example of where a negative incentive may be appropriate and explain why.
• List three (3) practical ways a teacher might develop inquisitiveness or curiosity amongst students
• Explain how your approach might be different when trying to motivate a perfectionist or high achiever compared to motivating a person with low self esteem or lack of enthusiasm
• Investigate 2 other distance educations schools and compare support services in each.
• Explain how you could increase the capacity of the learning experience to cater to varied individual needs amongst D.E. students studying on line courses
• Observe and record listening behaviour
• Describe what applications you think chat has for distance education
• Outline training needed before using a new tutor (with only classroom teaching experience) as a distance education tutor, who needs to communicate with D.E. students using a variety of different communication methods

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?

A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.