Technology Taking The Distance Out Of Learning

There is a current of frustration among many faculty members, based in on feeling pressured to produce distance education. Yet others suggest that there is no excuse to "not" use the new available tools. These educators find that using technology intelligently will almost certainly extend both reach and results. But those frustrated ones might agree that the reach is extended but aren't so certain about the results. Understanding that one of the goals of a liberal education is also to openly debate and defend cultural assumptions, perhaps we need to perhaps come to terms with the explosion of technology that promises to change our educational paradigm. Faculty must view themselves as learners, along with students, using the new technologies together in an exploration and analysis of the world and its meaning. This volume addresses the profound questions, and their implications, that stem from the tide of new technologies thrust into our lives. The narrative focuses on the educational arena, as it has become the emergent venue for conversations about technology. Rather than only dealing with instances of success or failure in classrooms, or contributing to theories about various applications of software and hardware, this book issue addresses technology, specifically the new computer technologies, as a new cultural symbol. These chapters should encourage participation in meaningful conversations about technology in general and how it effects affects education in particular. This is the 94th issue of the quarterly journal New Directions for Teaching and Learning.

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.

This book, first published in 1984, provides a comprehensive review of the range of technology that was being used in distance education. Technological developments in word processing, video-disc and viewdata as well as computer-based learning had revolutionised the potential for distance education. These developments required the role of more ’conventional’ distance learning media, such as broadcasting, tuition and text, to be reassessed. This book, written by international experts in the field, explored the state of the art at the time, and also provided their ideas on how future developments were likely to evolve. This book is ideal for those studying education and communications.

"This book reviews distance learning programs and software systems, outlining computational methods, algorithms, implemented prototype systems, and applications of open and distance learning"--Provided by publisher.

This update to the award-winning first edition analyzes the pros and cons of different media and focuses on general guidelines and basic principles, making the ideas in this guide transferable to future technologies.

Make the most of what today’s technology has to offer in human services education! Distance education presents special challenges to social work education. Using Technology in Human Services Education: Going the Distance provides case studies and practical research on making the best use of this powerful new tool for teaching. Designed for both practitioners and educators, this fascinating book examines the use of technology in education and practice in the field of social work and other human services. Because setting up distance-learning programs can be expensive, Using Technology in Human Services Education suggests ways to reduce the impact on the budget, including setting up a consortium to merge resources with other schools. It also shows how to integrate traditional instructional approaches with the new technologies, how to make use of email and electronic discussion groups, and how to use the Internet to hone practice-related skills. In addition, it covers the current status of the technology itself. Using Technology in Human Services Education: Going the Distance explores ways to maximize the potential of distance education, such as: a framework for designing distance education courses that fully utilize the unique environments these courses offer a discussion of the impact of technological tools in teaching specific course content ways that SACs (Site Advisory Committees) can increase students’ socialization into their new professions ways that students need to be supported in order to feel a connection to a distance-learning program the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to help meet and identify the information needs of a field placement agency Using Technology in Human Services Education offers creative approaches and practical advice for making the best use of the technology. Whatever your level of computer skill, from novice to hacker, this book will give you ideas you can use. No individual or institution interested in maintaining top quality in human services education should be without this book!

In today's technology-crazed environment, distance learning is touted as a cost-effective option for delivering employee training and higher education programs, such as bachelor's, master's and even doctoral degrees. Distance Learning Technologies: Issues, Trends and Opportunities provides readers with an in-depth understanding of distance learning and the technologies available for this innovative media of learning and instruction. It traces the development of distance learning from its history to suggestions of a solid strategic implementation plan to ensure its successful and effective deployment.