Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Module Three: Distance Learning and Virtual Schools (Fall 2014)
Can distance learning save money? Can the needs of all participants in public education be met through distance learning or some combination of traditional classrooms and distance learning? Will distance learning help schools on the 'other' side of the digital divide catch up or further divide them?
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ReplyDelete1- Can distance learning save money?
In my view, yes distance learning save money because most of people in these days already have Internet and computers and that what distance learning needs. Distance learning provides money that it does not require exorbitant fees, purchase of educational materials, and spend money on transportation daily. It does not the educational expenses confined in books and pens, but there is an expenses private external appearance of male and female students. Also, food expenses in school, transportation, school performances, and donations are bringing students a burden on their family, so what is a case for those families that include many members of learners of male and female. Based on a 2008 survey of 20 virtual schools in 14 states, UF researchers found that the average yearly cost of online learning per full-time pupil was about $4,300. This compared with a national average cost per pupil of more than $9,100 for a traditional public school in 2006 (the most recent year in which such data was available). Their cost estimates covered course development and teaching, and administrative and technical expenses.
2- Can the needs of all participants in public education be met through distance learning or some combination of traditional classrooms and distance learning?
Perhaps the main advantage of traditional education is speed comprehension and ease learning, and it has an ability to provide applied materials. Distance learning does not allow for the student to meet with other students and they cannot develop their acquaintances with other students. However, the advantages of distance learning allow students to continue studying, and some working conditions require traveling that need flexibility to attend classes. Therefore sometimes employees may not be able to attend in a university; here the distance learning comes with additional advantage, and it has an easy access to the teacher even outside official working hours. It has an easy way to access to the curriculum that to be available any time, and it allows students to follow-up in appropriate time for them.
3- Will distance learning help schools on the 'other' side of the digital divide catch up or further divide them?
The most important requirements in distance learning are continuation in education, taking advantage of the direct instruction, accomplishment of duties and activities, and passing examinations that are required by the study. Thus, I cannot say yes or no because it depends on the learners, and their situations. Shelia Tucker observed in her study, which is Distance Education: Better, Worse, Or As Good As Traditional Education? No significant differences were found between pre-test scores, homework grades, research paper grades and final course grades. However, there were significant differences between the two groups with regard to age, post-test scores, and final exam scores. Distance education students scored higher in all three categories. Yet, this is not sufficient evidence to conclude that distance education is superior to traditional education. Other factors may have contributed to these results. For example, the distance education delivery method catered to, in part, students' preferred learning styles. They preferred Direct Experience, and the structure of the course allowed for considerable hands-on experience in learning course content. They least preferred Authority, and the structure of the course allowed them the freedom to work Independently on course material.
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References:
Lansford, L. (2014). Online classes can save schools money; expand learning time for K-12 students. [Website]. Retrieved in May18, 2009 from http://news.ufl.edu/archive/2009/05/online-classes-can-save-schools-money-expand-learning-time-for-k-12-students.html\
Tucker, S. (2001). Distance education: better, worse, or as good as traditional education? Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 4(4).
Jonathan Barfield
ReplyDeleteEDCI 6100
1- Can distance learning save money?
Yes I believe distance learning saves money; online programs have little or no cost for instructional facilities, transportation, and staff. A student can receive a degree online while continuing to work saving both money and time. Students can save money from campus housing, meal plans, and additional fees. According to (NICOLA, DAVIES) Distance learning, particularly e-learning, is well established in the U.S. and growing in availability and affordability. Distance learning can save money because computers and internet usage have become more accessible.
2- Can the needs of all participants in public education be met through distance learning or some combination of traditional classrooms and distance learning?
The main advantage of traditional education is better learning and its ability to provide necessary materials for learning. Traditional learning environments require course study preparation. Distance learning allows students to continue course studying with flexible hours. Traditional learning comes with an advantage of access to teacher office hours. Distance learning allows students to access curriculum at any time provided. Distance learning courses are trained around your life; traditional learning requires time and preparation around course of study.
3- Will distance learning help schools on the 'other' side of the digital divide catch up or further divide them?
It depends on the students or learners situation at the time. Direct instruction, activities, and passing scores are the most important part of distance learning. According to Overall, the transition from distance to online courses has contributed to more students, an economy of scale that makes it possible to increase pedagogic development work (Jorgen; Lovqvist,) It’s important that the course of study allows students to work individually.
References
Jorgen; Lovqvist, (2012). European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, n1 2012. The Transition from Distance to Online Education: Perspectives from the Educational Management Horizon
Nicola Davies (2014). Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio. - Distance Learning Saves Big Money
Module Three Discussion Board: EDCI-6190-Micro Computers
ReplyDeleteJermaine EDCI-6190
In a time where the economy is trying to make a comeback, people are trying to find ways to save money. So, can distance learning save money? Yes, distance learning can save money on the cost of instructional facilities, transportation, and the related staff. Also, as a student you can save money attending distance learning by saving money on gas, parking fees, public transportation, childcare cost, and your personal time.
My thoughts about public education, and can all the needs be met through distance learning varies. If a student is disciplined, motivated, a self-starter, and intelligent enough to complete assignment and excel in a distance learning program, then it can be done. But in contrast, some students are not that disciplined to be a part of a distance learning program. So, I would say with a combination of distance learning and combined with the traditional classroom, the needs of students in the public school can be met.
The more the topic comes up on distance learning, the more people will learn about distance learning. Now, if you have a digital divide of people that need to catch up, you have to expose them to examples of a distance learning program, show them how it works, and give them as much information on distance learning in order to give them a better understanding. Overtime they will have a better understanding and at least come closer to except the idea of distance learning.
Hana Alqarni
ReplyDeleteEDCI-6190
1. Yes, distance learning can save money for both institutes and students. Institutes do not have to build and prepare classrooms for students of distance learning. For students, tuitions and fees of distance learning are much lower than the traditional learning tuitions and fees. Students of distance learning also save money of fuel and transportation that spends to transport to and from schools. Additionally, distance learning offers learning opportunities for students who live far away from schools, so they can learn without traveling and spending more money.
2. Distance learning can provide students’ need like learning support, and access to and provision of resource materials that are the same or even better than traditional learning provides. They are also easy and available to use anywhere in any time. The requirement skills of online and traditional learning are almost the same. However, we should consider the individual differences that make students’ needs different from a student to another. Distance learning can meet students’ needs if it is used effectively while blended learning is still better in terms of a sense of community.
3. Digital divide is defined as the gap between those who have and do not have access to computers and the Internet. Distance learning, of course, requires access to Internet to take the courses. While a lot of schools have distance learning, “schools and students of the other side of digital divide” do not have access to Internet. As a result, distance learning will further the gap between the two sides of the digital divide, unless all schools enable to access and use Internet. Digital divide is barrier of distance learning when is supposed to facilitate and serve learning for those schools and individual in the other side of the digital divide.
* Yes, distance learning can save money. Distance learning save money on the cost of learning materials, transportation, and students can get a degree anywhere, anytime and while they are working. Also, students save money on the cost of campus house, gas, parking fees …etc.
ReplyDelete*Can the needs of all participants in public education be met through distance learning or some combination of traditional classrooms and distance learning? In my opinion, it depends on the students. Some students’ need can be met through distance learning if they are motivated enough to complete all the assignments and the requirements in distance learning but if the students not motivated enough, then by combination of traditional classrooms and distance learning, students’ needs can be met.
*Will distance learning help schools on the 'other' side of the digital divide catch up or further divide them? Distance learning can divide the other side of the digital divide that does not have the access to Internet while distance learning requires it. On the other hand, if the other side of the digital divide want to catch up, then they should provided with enough information about distance learning to understand it.
*The cost of commuting can add up quickly; when students can eliminate or lower this cost, they will save a lot of money. Without a doubt, the students who take classes online will save money. In many cases, all of the study materials you need for your online courses are available on the Internet. Having textbooks is the most noticeable difference between classes in person and classes online are that when you are online you need some physical textbooks.
ReplyDelete*Students can choose online courses, traditional classroom settings, or they can choose both for the person who prefers a learning style that requires participation in classroom instruction where they can visually and verbally interact with the instructor, a traditional classroom might be more acceptable. On the other hand, online classes is get ready for individuals that are computer literate and able to follow an outline and meet due dates of assignments.
*Distance learning is using technology to endow student learning. It is not dependent on time or place and that in many ways it can be more flexible and easier than the traditional class. Furthermore, the digital divide is very imperative because technology can connect people to a huge range of opportunities.
1. It is clear that distance learning save money because it is cheaper than the traditional schools. Online classes do not require any kind of commuting, which allow students to save gas, oil and maintenance fee. Online classes are a good choice for people who have full-time work and family responsibilities. Additionally, individuals who live out of town and do not have a vehicle or a good transportation. On the other hand, distance learning owners do not have to establish buildings for students which help them a lot to save money. They only should create a website to introduce their school for students. That web site should include the mission, view, school rules and contact information for new students in addition to the e-learning system to connect students with one another in addition to teachers. Therefore, distance learning can help students and owners to save money, which are driving the growth of online instruction more and more.
ReplyDelete2. There are no big differences between traditional school and online courses regardless of the delivery of method. However, there are some disadvantages for online education, which are there are a limit direct contact with students and professors. Also, fewer opportunities to participate in campus events and extracurricular activities.
3. Students and educators have the right to access into the website services at schools and places that they live in to get a better knowledge, experience and result. More Importantly, the knowledge that should they have to deal with technology individually. However, the digital divide still makes an obstacle in education system through lack of means and educational equipment in many rural areas all over the world in addition to Low-income people. Therefore, the digital divide in this case depends on Socio-Economic status of students. I believe that distance learning will further the gap between the two sides of the digital divide especially for schools and students who are unable to access and use the Internet service. As a result, all countries hope to overcome the digital divide by improving dealing with a technology side by side with economic field to get better knowledge and personal income in order to bridge the access gaps for students.