Blog entry # 7 Jan 29, 2010

Selecting Media For Distance Education

By: Ely, Donald P

Summarized by

Adeba Sultana

Introduction:
Distance education is a learning method in which learners are not together in one location. Connection between the learners is possible through interactive telecommunication systems and through resources, and instructors.
This article discusses the kind of Medias used for distance learning.
Online Learning is not the only type of distance learning:
In an online learning teacher does not meet the students face-to-face. All teaching and learning occurs by using the computers and the contemporary technological tools to enhance the process.

Print:
This kind of learning is called correspondence learning which is conducted largely by mail. Paper – books were being used in addition to eBooks.

Radio and Telephone:
In a radio learning all learners listen to the radio at the same time. This was later replaced by phone conferences.

Audiotapes and Television:
Disc recordings and recorded tapes was another way of distance learning.

Traditional versus distance education:
Traditional possibilities of distance learning has been changed by computers. Technology is now more integrated than the traditional learning. Today emails, chats, telephone conferences ---etc are being used. Media and its selection depends on the objectives of the course.

Conclusions: For distance learning one has to determine the primary delivery approach,
review the course outline and determine what media can be used to facilitate learning and make sure students have access to the selected media and resources.

References:
Ely, Donald P (2003). Selecting Media for Distance Education. Eric Digest.