Influence of IT on Education A Look at Distance Learning at the Secondary Level
... Many students drop out in the first two years of college and start joining the workforce; however, a large percentage of them come back at a later time to finish their education and obtain a degree to further their careers. ... To accommodate the needs of everyone who wants to obtain a degree, new methods of teaching and transmitting the course material through modes of distance learning have to be introduced. ... In its earliest form, distance education meant study by correspondence, or what is now called "snail mail." As new technologies developed, distance instruction was delivered through such media as audiotape, videotape, radio and television broadcasting, and satellite transmission. Microcomputers, the Internet, and the World Wide Web are shaping the current generation of distance learning, and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and knowledge systems may be next. Definition of Distance Learning Some define distance learning as the use of print or electronic communications media to deliver instruction when teachers and learners are separated in place and/or time. However, others emphasize distance learning over education, defining it as "getting people--and often video images of people--into the same electronic space so they can help one another learn", or "a system and process that connects learners with distributed resources". ... Since, teacher and student are physically separated during the learning process, two-way communication has to take place through the use of certain media that must also carry the course content. The result of Distance Education is Distance Learning. Today not only working people take advantage of Distance Learning; more and more young and older people are exploring this new model. Distance Learning students have to possess additional qualities to be successful: „P ability to communicate in writing „P willingness to share life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process „P self motivation and self discipline „P willingness to seek help if problems arise „P ability to commit 4 to 15 hours per week per course „P acceptance of critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process „P access to a computer and a modem Students who are taking distance learning or online classes have to be committed to completing all the work on time and not getting behind.