Ebook Studying At A Distance

This authoritative book has supported thousands of distance learners, providing accessible support and friendly advice for their studies. This essential guide provides practical help for anyone who is embarking on a distance learning course. Ideal for those who have not previously studied at a distance or for students returning to study after a break, it covers fundamental issues such as motivation, goal-setting, time management and coping strategies. The fourth edition includes: • How to understand the distance learning experience and what your institution expects of its distance learners • The practicalities of learning at a distance, including how to get support when you need it • Updated information on the use of new technologies in distance learning, including mobile learning • Tips and advice on doing a research project at a distance • Coverage of key study skills including reading and note-making, completing written assignments, developing critical analysis skills and avoiding plagiarism • Support for international students in understanding how to make the most of studying remotely at a UK Higher Education institution Hallmark features of this book are the comments and advice offered by students and tutors sharing their own experiences of distance learning. It also includes comprehensive self-study activities that highlight the element of active learning that is crucial to successful studying at a distance. Studying at a Distance, 4th edition is a key resource for undergraduates and postgraduates in all open and distance learning or e-learning courses.

Reviews of the first edition: 'More and more people are likely to experience distance learning in the future either by correspondence or e-learning. This book is written by an author who clearly has immense experience and expertise in supporting distance learners. It cannot fail to be a most useful and comprehensive introduction to the challenges of distance education to such learners. It will also be a very helpful guide to people writing and managing distance courses.' Ormond Simpson, The Open University 'As a student with a professional background, rather than an academic one, this book provided all the basic information that my online course seemed to take for granted. The chapters dealing with research protocol, online resources and how to use the web efficiently were like a goldmine and saved hours.' Masters Level Distance Learning Student ‘Undergraduate and [post]graduate students would benefit from this practical guide. Distance program administrators should include this guide for students in the initial program package.’ Journal of Distance Education This essential guide provides practical help and encouragement for those who have not previously studied at a distance and is ideal for students returning to study after a break. This edition is significantly revised and has been updated to include comments from distance learning tutors as well as extracts from student handbooks from distance learning courses. It also covers fundamental issues such as: Motivation Goal setting Time management Coping strategies Study skills Conducting research Other features of this new edition are comments and advice from former distance learning students, a comprehensive exploration of developments in e-learning and self-study activities that introduce the crucial element of active learning that is typical of studying at a distance. Studying at a Distance is a key resource for undergraduates and postgraduates in all open and distance learning or e-learning courses.

Teaching and Learning at a Distance is written for introductory distance education courses for preservice or in-service teachers, and for training programs that discuss teaching distant learners or managing distance education systems. This text provides readers with the basic information needed to be knowledgeable distance educators and leaders of distance education programs. The teacher or trainer who uses this book will be able to distinguish between appropriate uses of distance education. In this text we take the following themes: The first theme is the definition of distance education. Before we started writing the first edition of Teaching and Learning at a Distance we carefully reviewed the literature to determine the definition that would be at the foundation of our writing. This definition is based on the work of Desmond Keegan, but is unique to this book. This definition of distance education has been adopted by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and by the Encyclopedia Britannica. The second theme of the book was the importance of research to the development of the contents of the book. The best practices presented in Teaching and Learning at a Distance are validated by scientific evidence. Certainly there are “rules of thumb”, but we have always attempted to only include recommendations that can be supported by research. The third theme of Teaching and Learning at a distance is derived from Richard Clark’s famous quote published in the Review of Educational Research that states that media are mere vehicles that do not directly influence achievement. Clark’s controversial work is discussed in the book, but is also fundamental to the book’s advocacy for distance education – in other words, we authors did not make the claim that education delivered at a distance was inherently better than other ways people learn. Distance delivered instruction is not a “magical” approach that makes learners achieve more. The fourth theme of the book is equivalency theory. Here we presented the concept that instruction should be provided to learners that is equivalent rather than identical to what might be delivered in a traditional environment. Equivalency theory helps the instructional designer approach the development of instruction for each learner without attempting to duplicate what happens in a face to face classroom. The final theme for Teaching and Learning at a Distance is the idea that the book should be comprehensive – that it should cover as much of the various ways instruction is made available to distant learners as is possible. It should be a single source of information about the field.

"This book is invaluable for the first time, or even the long term, distance learner. Areas covered include motivation for studying, the learning process, note taking, tips on e-learning, in fact everything up to, and including, preparing for exams. Excellent for dipping into when you hit an obstacle to your studies. Highly recommended." ***** Review of the second edition from Amazon.co.uk This essential guide provides practical help and support for those who have not previously studied at a distance and is ideal for students returning to study after a break. It covers fundamental issues such as motivation, goal setting, time management and coping strategies. Additional coverage in the third edition includes:Specific information on the use of new technologies in distance learningDetailed coverage of referencing, citation and plagiarismDescription of using mind maps and other techniques for planning and writing essays or reportsSupport for disabled students, particularly those with dyslexiaAn expanded further resources sectionHallmark features of this book are the comments and advice offered by distance learning students and tutors. It also includes a comprehensive exploration of developments in e-learning as well as self-study activities that highlight the element of active learning that is crucial to successful studying at a distance. Studying at a Distance is a key resource for undergraduates and postgraduates in all open and distance learning or e-learning courses.

Online Distance Education: Towards a Research Agenda offers a systematic overview of the major issues, trends, and areas of priority in online distance education research. In each chapter, an international expert or team of experts provides an overview of one timely issue in online distance education, summarizing major research on the topic, discussing theoretical insights that guide the research, posing questions and directions for future research, and discussing the implications for distance education practice as a whole. Intended as a primary reference and guide for distance educators, researchers, and policymakers, Online Distance Education addresses aspects of distance education practice that have often been marginalized, including issues of cost and economics, concerns surrounding social justice, cultural bias, the need for faculty professional development, and the management and growth of learner communities. At once soundly empirical and thoughtfully reflective, yet also forward-looking and open to new approaches to online and distance teaching, this text is a solid resource for researchers in a rapidly expanding discipline.

Effective teaching is effective teaching, no matter where it occurs The pandemic teaching of mid-2020 was not really distance learning, but rather crisis teaching. But starting now, teachers have the opportunity to prepare for distance learning with purpose and intent—using what works best to accelerate students’ learning all the while maintaining an indelible focus on equity. Harnessing the insights and experience of renowned educators Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie, The Distance Learning Playbook applies the wisdom and evidence of VISIBLE LEARNING® research to understand what works best with distance learning. Spanning topics from teacher-student relationships, teacher credibility and clarity, instructional design, assessments, and grading, this comprehensive playbook details the research- and evidence-based strategies teachers can mobilize to deliver high- impact learning in an online, virtual, and distributed environment. This powerful guide includes: Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for each module to track your own learning and model evidence-based teacher practices for meaningful learning A diversity of instructional approaches, including direct instruction, peer learning, and independent work that foster student self-regulation and move learning to deep and transfer levels Discussion of equity challenges associated with distance learning, along with examples of how teachers can work to ensure that equity gains that have been realized are not lost. Special guidance for teachers of young children who are learning from a distance Videos of the authors and teachers discussing a wide variety of distance learning topics Space to write and reflect on current practices and plan future instruction The Distance Learning Playbook is the essential hands-on guide to preparing and delivering distance learning experiences that are truly effective and impactful. To purchase from an Authorized Corwin Distributor click here. A Spanish translation of the Distance Learning Playbook, Grades K-12, Aprendizaje a Distancia Guia, Guia de Preescolar a Bachillerator, can be purchased by contacting Irene Yepez from Editorial Trillas at [email protected].

Teaching and Learning at a Distance is written for introductory distance education courses for preservice or in-service teachers, and for training programs that discuss teaching distant learners or managing distance education systems. This text provides readers with the basic information needed to be knowledgeable distance educators and leaders of distance education programs. The teacher or trainer who uses this book will be able to design courses, evaluate programs, and identify issues and trends affecting the field. In this text we take the following themes: The first theme is the definition of distance education. Before we started writing the first edition of Teaching and Learning at a Distance we carefully reviewed the literature to determine the definition that would be at the foundation of our writing. This definition is based on the work of Desmond Keegan, but is unique to this book and has been adopted by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and by the Encyclopedia Britannica. The second theme of the book is the importance of research to the development of effective courses and programs offered at a distance. The best practices presented in Teaching and Learning at a Distance are validated by scientific evidence. Certainly there are “rules of thumb,” but we have always attempted to only include recommendations that can be supported by research. The third theme of Teaching and Learning at a Distance is derived from Richard Clark’s famous quote published in the Review of Educational Research asserting that media are mere vehicles that do not directly influence achievement. Clark’s controversial work is discussed in the book, but is also fundamental to the book’s advocacy for distance education—in other words, we authors do not make the claim that education delivered at a distance is inherently better than other ways people learn. Distance delivered instruction is not a magical approach that makes learners achieve more. Equivalency theory is the fourth theme of the book. Here we present the concept that instruction should be provided to learners that is equivalent rather than identical to what might be delivered in a traditional environment. Equivalency theory helps the instructional designer approach the development of instruction for each learner without attempting to duplicate what happens in a face-to-face classroom. The final theme for Teaching and Learning at a Distance is the idea that the book should be comprehensive—that it should cover as much of the various ways instruction is made available to distant learners as is possible. It can serve as a stand-alone source of information.

Highlighted are the pedagogical, organizational, cultural, social, and economic factors that influence the adoption and integration of emerging technologies in distance education. Advice is offered on how educators can launch effective and engaging distance education initiatives, in response to technological advancements, changing mindsets, and economic and organizational pressures.