Choose Technologies for Your Distance Learning Course
Overview
Which technology will be most effective for providing course content, activities, and interactions will depend on your learning objectives for the class, as well as upon the media available. Choosing a technology for your distance learning class will be easier if you have clearly defined your learning objectives and have some knowledge of the resources available to you and your students.
Technology Options
When choosing technology, keep in mind your students' access to technology, your budget and time, and the goals of your course. Plan to provide the information in multiple formats if you have students with disabilities. Below is a list of technologies to choose from when creating and teaching your distance learning course. Each technology has an action plan with suggestions on how to implement the technology and some planning considerations which describe the advantages and disadvantages of each technology along with some ideas for implementing them.
Web Page
A class Web site can be a great way to communicate information in a central location. You may easily update the material and incorporate text, images, interactive Web-based tools, and even video. While the other technologies on this page can stand alone, a course Web page can serve as a portal for the other technologies you use in your distance learning class.
Planning Considerations
Print is the most inexpensive and accessible medium for delivering distance learning course content. Distance learning students are comfortable with it, and it's portable.
Planning Considerations
Course Readings on the Web
Putting course readings on the Web affords students 24-hour access to course materials from any location with an Internet connection, and you can easily modify the reading list.
Planning Considerations
Images
Images can be extremely useful in communicating information that is difficult to explain using just text or audio. You can include images such as charts, graphs, photographs, and illustrations with your print materials, on your Web site, or in a video.
Planning Considerations
Audio
Audio can add another dimension and variety to your distance learning course; you may also use the tone of your voice to emphasize certain points. Audio provides flexibility to busy students. There are a variety of fairly simple and inexpensive ways you can make sound a part of your distance learning course. Planning Considerations
Video
Video allows you to communicate to your distance learning students almost as if you were there in person. Using video conferencing, they can interact with you and--if you choose--with their classmates as well. Both learning goals and technical requirements must be taken into consideration when deciding whether to use video in your course.
Planning Considerations
Online Discussion
An online message board is a great way for distance learning students to communicate with each other and you. A message board allows students to discuss course topics online, respond to each other's comments, and share ideas. As the message board administrator, you can designate the participants for your message board, suggest topics for discussion, and monitor the participation of individuals on the board.
Planning Considerations
Peer Review
Using the Catalyst Peer Review Tool allows distance learning students to benefit from the knowledge of their peers and saves you time in providing feedback. Peer Review allows students to view the same online document and submit comments asynchronously. Setup is easy and comments are stored in chronological order until you remove them.
Planning Considerations
Collect It
You can use Catalyst Collect It to allow your distance learning students to turn in files over the Web, allowing you to give your students feedback quickly. Students can turn in files of all kinds including Word or text documents, PDFs, and HTML or image files. Using Collect It, you can return the students' files, provide them with helpful documents or links to online resources, and leave feedback for the students.
Planning Considerations