Distance Learning Higher Education, Distance Ed and learning theories.

ECept Education > Distance Education

Q. I am currently working on a thesis for a BA in education and training. The subject matter concerns Distance Education via the internet and how this compares with traditional training and education. In particular I am looking for studies which identify difficulties encountered with training/education via the internet and studies examining learning theories and construction of internet based distance education courses. Has anybody got any pointers?

A. WASH., D.C....A new national report raises questions about the effectiveness of the increasingly-popular use of "distance learning" in higher education and whether it is on par with traditional classroom-based instruction. The report reviews a broad array of research and articles about technology-based distance education and finds that there are significant gaps in the research and important flaws in the methodology of many studies. These findings refute the evidence often cited by policy leaders and distance education advocates that suggests there is no significant difference in the educational effectiveness of distance versus classroom-based instruction. Most of the studies conclude that distance learning compares favorably with classroom-based instruction in terms of student grades, test scores, and overall satisfaction. But the report, which reviews hundreds of these various writings published over the last decade, finds that the overall quality of the research is questionable and thereby renders many of the findings inconclusive. The report cautions that policymakers and education leaders have "a lot to learn" about how distance education can enhance college learning. It urges officials to consider the evidence carefully when making decisions about investment in the rapidly evolving field of distance education. Now, that is about to change, at least for some distance learners. The catalyst is new federal legislation that establishes a five-year program to allow selected distance learning ventures -- eventually up to 50 of them -- to participate in major federal student aid programs. Supporters of distance education are hoping the new program can help boost the popularity of what they believe is a promising new educational enterprise made possible by the Internet and other new communications technologies. "It simply helps level the playing field, so just as full- time residential students have access to that aid, the part-time distance learner does, too," said Robert C. Albrecht, chief academic officer of Western Governors University, a new distance education venture and the only one specifically named in the law as eligible to become one of the program participants. But for those who question whether virtual education can ever be more than a pale substitute for the real thing, the project is a worrisome development. "It legitimizes and sanctions what I'm calling 'digital diploma mills,'" said David F. Noble, a history professor at York University in Toronto and a critic of many distance learning efforts.

Ask an Education Question

Other Questions:

Please give me suggestions regarding which Canadian university offers the most "recognized, valued, accredited, etc." degrees through distance education.Check the University of Waterloo... I am not sure what they have for current course offerin...

I have been researching distance ed. schools for about a year now (and got burnt once in the process), and have decided on UMUC. My major is Computer and Information Science. I am transferring enough credits from a private university to cover a...

Hi , can i ask some questions about long distance education ? what is the benefit and weakness of this programme , and how to develop this programme ?I am doing a project on long distance education .Please give me your information on this kind ...

I am looking for information on Universities that offer Emergency Management Degrees by distance learning.Information on current and planned degree and certificate programs is available at: http://www.fema.gov/EMI/edu/. American College of P...

Can anybody give me references to some schools offering distance education at Bachelors level for Nurses.Check out Ball State University's offerings. There is an RN Completion program. http://www.bsu.edu/nursing/ http://www.college-without-...

ECept Education Menu

Ask a Question
About Us / Me
Contact Me
Privacy Policy

Sitemap

Quality Education Links

US Department of Education
APA Student Resources
Student Gateway to the US Government
Education.com
Education News

Q&A Subjects