Do the modern distance learning tools sufficiently address the social issues in learning?

Keraminiyage, KP; Ingirige, Bingunath; Amaratunga, RDG

Abstract

Modern Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) tools have been identified as one of the primary enablers of delivering modern Distance Learning courses. However, it is increasingly becoming apparent that these CMC tools are often developed to cater to structural and management needs of courses (e.g. number of students who can log in at one time, downloadable lecture content, downloadable speeds etc.,). The social aspects of a classroom setting (e.g. guidance and support, body language, feedback, interactions with other learners etc.,), which are highly valued in face-to-face classroom settings often tend to be ignored. This is evidenced through the feel of isolation expressed by the distance learning communities in some of the satisfaction surveys conducted. This is the main focus of this ongoing research under the Teaching Learning Quality Improvement Scheme (TLQIS) of Salford University. This paper details how perspectives of facilitators in DL, experts in DL provision and learners are compared in identifying the social dimension, which becomes the basis for proposing guidelines for improvement. First, the paper reviews literature in the area and sets out the overall research methodology of the paper. Then, through a survey of DL courses within the UK, the paper will discuss how some of the tools deal with different distance learning settings (e.g. synchronous / asynchronous, time zone problems, etc,). The paper will also discuss some of the preliminary interview results addressing the social dimension, current capacities and capabilities of DL tools and the degree of facilitator intervention in conducting DL programmes in the UK. The results presented in this paper will inform the process of preparing guidelines for improvement of DL education considering the various settings, hence benefiting HE institutions, FE institutions and HE policy makers mainly in the UK.

Citation

Keraminiyage, K., Ingirige, B., & Amaratunga, R. (2006, January). Do the modern distance learning tools sufficiently address the social issues in learning?. Presented at Education in a Changing Environment, University of Salford, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: Education in a Changing Environment
• Conference Location: University of Salford, UK
• Start Date: Jan 12, 2006
• End Date: Jan 13, 2006
• Deposit Date: Jun 2, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 11, 2017
• Publisher URL: http://www.ece.salford.ac.uk/proceedings/papers/kk_06.rtf
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ISBN: 9781905732074; Event Type : Conference