Distance Learning Theory

So educational theories are not my cup of tea, so to speak.  I often am confused by the shear number of them, and how closely some are related.  That, and I am never good at linking up a work with the original author.  Just think of it as an epic fail of remembering musical artists with their song titles.  That's how I am with ED Theories.

Anyway, this past week, we were given a great many learning theories to explore and discuss, as well as identifying and comparing key attributes of online courses, blended/ hybrid courses, and web-facilitated courses.  I'm starting to realize that I use and am more familiar with Distance Education that I first realized when posting in the student lounge.  Reading through information on blended and web-facilitated courses, I had several moments of "I do that with my students!!!" and so things are starting to make sense.

Without further delay, on to the Theories! *Note: These are paraphrased from the course textbook cited below!

Equivalency Theory of Distance Education: Simonson
DE and F2F courses need to provide the learner with equivalent learning experiences to reach the objectives, but the learning experiences need not to be identical.  Example from the video: the area of a square and circle may be the same, but the shapes are different (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.).

Theory of Interaction and Communication: Holmberg
"Guided didactic conversation" - Communication theory relating teaching effectiveness to the impact to feelings of belonging and cooperation.

Theory of Independent Study: Wedemeyer
All about learner independence and the use of technology to facilitate learner independence.  Set 10 characteristics of independent study learners using technology.

1. Be capable of operation anyplace where there are students
2. Greater responsibility on student for learning
3. Faculty members should be allowed more time for educational tasks
4. More choices in courses, formats and methodologies
5. Use effective, proven teaching media and methods
6. Mix media and methods to produce best instructional practice for units
7. Redesign and development of courses to fit "articulated media program"
8. Preserve and enhance individualization
9. Assess students simply
10. Permit students to learn at their own pace

Andragogy: Knowles
Adult education theory.  Characterizes and provides the framework for courses aimed at adult learners.

Transactional Distance Theory: Moore
Three types of distance between learners and instructors; space, time, intellectual distance.  3Dimensional sliding scale between the three characteristics.  Related to structure, dialogue, and learner autonomy.

Theory of Industrialization of Teaching: Peters
Very production-line take on educational theory.  A lot of pre-planning, division of labor (between learner and facilitator), and organization.  Produces assembly-line like product, which may work as an initial framework of ID, but does not leave a lot of room of creativity or individualization.

Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d.). Theory and distance learning. [Video webcast]. Retrieved from sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6290464&Survey=1&47=7309287&ClientNodeID-984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.


Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Next Time: CMSs!