Distance Learning and Learning Technologies March 11, 2003 Cindy Vinson, Ed.D Dean Learning Technologies FHDA

Agenda My background What is Learning Technologies at FHDA? Distance learning at FHDA Distance learning trends focus on higher education Distance learning trends focus on corporate What does this mean for K-12? Questions?

My background Speech Pathologist Technology Coordinator Instructional Technology; curriculum developer Learning Technologist

What is Learning Technology? Learning technology is the use of technology to produce a long-term change in human capability. The technology we use can be one or more of the following: tools, processes, methods, and knowledge that produce repeatable, predictable, and desirable results.

What is LT at FHDA? Who we are… Broadcast Media Center –Community College Network –Streaming Media –Webcasting Instructional development group –Consultation with faculty –Customized workshops for departments or divisions –Online course development with faculty experts Technical training –Training on district supported software –Individualized training for faculty and staff –Just-in-time support for the web

What LT does at FHDA Work with the distance learning deans of both colleges to assist in the design and delivery of their courses Solve instructional and learning challenges Promote collaboration, best practices, and diffusion of learning technologies in the classroom Train and retrain FHDA employees in using technology for learning, communication, and personal productivity Research learning technologies to identify those that have practical application for the district Support the building of sharable and reusable resources

Key Projects Web-enhanced courses –Brought approximately 200 De Anza faculty online Hybrid instruction –Over 100 faculty trained Promoting Technology Enhanced Instruction –New certificate program for faculty Sharable resources –Language learning library –Academic Integrity module –Writing project

Distance Learning at FHDA De Anza serves approx 12,000 students per year –Television based (mostly) –Both licensed and in-house produced courses –Growing number of courses include online component –Online distance learning is growing

Distance Learning at FHDA Foothill serves about 9,000 students –Web-based (mostly) –Owns their own LMS ETUDES –Widespread use of ETUDES for web-enhanced, hybrid, and distance classes –Most development is individual faculty designing their own course –It is possible to get an AA totally online in some curriculum areas

Trends in Higher Ed. (Public sector) Blurring of distance and traditional education Growth of hybrid instruction Course management systems –Blackboard –WebCT –eCollege –ETUDEs Issues that make adoption of online distance education challenging –Academic freedom –Intellectual property –Tradition of faculty working alone

Trends in Higher Education Desire to merge television and web, but bandwidth is still a problem. Pew Grant Program on course redesign (lower costs AND higher performance) (Carol A. Twigg) Story Centered design (Roger Shank)

Trends in Higher Ed (maybe K-12 ) For Profit Life-long learning requires asynchronous distance delivery Students live all over the world Accredited graduate online programs (National, Phoenix, DeVry etc.) are experiencing exponential growth –Build one excellent course –Train faculty to deliver course –Course continually redesigned based on “customer” input Undergraduate programs are growing Recognize that there is (will soon) be a huge pool of knowledgeable and talented retired workers eager to provide online distance instruction

Trend in Corporate Most e-Learning is connected to a corporate university Longer courses have a high drop out rate if a manager does not monitor the course Successful courses are short, delivered as just-in- time support, or offer a real person as a mentor Anytime and anyplace for work-related training is harder to promote than online education

K-12 Implications Ideally students will experience using the web to… –Access class resources and information via the web. –Engage in threaded discussions, communicate in an online environment, and download and upload documents. –Locate and evaluate information found on the web. –Engage in collaborative work groups (with students they may never see or meet).

K-12 Implications Parents will expect –class-based web sites to pull information. –more mediated communication through FAQs and e- mail. –just-in-time tutorials for basic skills. Non-public schools are likely to –grow in number. –use technology to reduce costs and offer basic skills education (No Child Left Behind). –build standardized curriculums and hire more part-time teachers to deliver content online.

Questions?