EDUC 6135 Week 3 Blog: Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

This post will identify two different distance learning technologies I believe provide the best solution to the chosen challenge. My decision has been supported with information from this week's learning resources and external sources.

Example #1: Collaborative Training Environment
This is the example I have chosen to focus on with identifying the distance learning technologies. The situation is a new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented at six regional offices. The issue is the staff is located throughout the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. Therefore, a training workshop needs to be implemented so the staff can share information in the form of screen captures, documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

Technology #1: Streaming video demonstrations
Since the training workshop needs to include information in the form of screen captures, streaming videos demonstrating the new automated staff information system would be ideal to help meet the learner's needs and outcomes of the training workshop. This technology uses the Internet to allow audio and video content to play or stream as it is downloaded from a remote source (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012). 


An example of how streaming videos have been successful in distance education is at Arkansas Tech University in the Center for Teaching & Learning. They currently have a streaming video library listed on the site, along with a link to the videos. These videos are accessible 24/7 and range in topics from classroom management to distance learning (Arkansas Tech University, 2011). The video library is updated on a regular basis. Here is the link to the video library: http://www.atu.edu/ctl/serv-annualvideos.shtml 


Technology #2: Staff Wiki site
Also, since the staff who will be attending the training workshop are required to share information in various documents and participate in online collaboration, a staff wiki site would also be the the ideal technology solution to help meet the learner's needs and outcomes of the training workshop. The staff wiki site would contain a resources section with all of the documents and resources required for the workshop and a discussion area where the staff can collaborate, ask questions, and provide comments on the information taught in the workshop. According to Simonson et al, "A wiki can be an excellent tool for collaborative online writing assignments and group activities compiling information in a single online resource" (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, p. 129, 2012).

An example of how wiki sites have been successful in distance education is for the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Program at The Open University in England. In addition to using blogs and online forums for classes in the program, wikis are also used by students and instructors as well to collaborate and share information with one another. According to Niall Sclater, the director of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Program, "Another group of students gathered their findings on a wiki, a website where people can contribute, comment and change things. They said they didn't see how the project could have been run without the wiki" (Sharman, 2007). By having a wiki site available for the training workshop, the staff members can collaborate with one another and share information in order to be successful with the new automated staff information system.  

References

Arkansas Tech University (2011). Streaming video library. Retrieved http://www.atu.edu/ctl/serv-annualvideos.shtml


Sharman, A. (2007). Distance learning: Something wiki this way comes. The Independent. Retrieved http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/further/distance-learning-something-wiki-this-way-comes-395857.html


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