Distance Learning Systems | Distance Learning Systems (DLSI)

Distance Learning Systems History

Distance education has been utilized even before the telephone, television or the computer was invented. It has existed already since the 19^th century. The founders of distance education utilized the most effective technological innovation available on their day.

Distance education was created to create possibilities to individuals who desired to study, but were unable enroll in standard schools. Individuals who took advantage of such distance learning education included individuals with physical handicaps, ladies who were not permitted to register for educational facilities open only to men, individuals who had jobs during regular school hours and people who resided in distant regions where educational institutions did not exist.

Isaac Pitman, an Englishman, is considered as the early founder. He started educating shorthand by distance learning in Bath, England in 1840. Learners were required to copy short passages of the Bible and send them back for rating using the new penny post system.

American higher education level distance education started in 1874 at Illinois Wesleyan University where bachelors and graduate degrees could possibly be acquired in absentia.

The teaching of educational and vocational classes by distance learning became very popular by 1900. However, issues on good quality and ethical exercise arise, giving bad reputation to some of the schools offering distance learning. The National Home Study Council (NHSC) was established in 1926 partly to deal with these problems. Certification of college and university distance courses fell to the National University Extension Association in 1915.

The creation of educational radio in the 1920s and the introduction of television in the 1940s open a new means of distance education. Teachers made use of these technologies to transmit educational courses to countless students, thus stretching learning chances past the walls of standard teaching institutions. The introduction of efficient long-distance phone systems in the early 1900s also improved the capability of distance educators to get to new student populations. However, telephone systems never performed a notable part in education until the release of new teleconferencing systems in the 1980s and 1990s. Teleconferencing systems made it feasible for instructors to speak with, listen to, and see their students live – that is, without any setbacks in the transmissions – even if they were situated across the nation or around the globe.

Distance education more and more uses mixture of various communication systems to improve the relevant skills of teachers and students to talk with each other. With the spread of computer-network communications in the 1980s and 1990s, many more people acquired usage of computers associated with telephone lines, permitting instructors and students to communicate in meetings via computers.

Quality Distance Learning Systems

Distance Learning Systems today has been an important means of gaining knowledge and acquiring a degree without attending a traditional classroom and paying higher tuition, transportation, boarding etc. However, not all schools offering this program are offering a relevant and effective curriculum.

A good Distance Learning Program must be, of course, relevant and updated. The content must be significant to the course and must be suited to the online environment. Every module must be in connection to the course objectives. Students must not be perplexed whether the content is in connection with the course they enrolled in or not. A great distance learning course leaves no ambiguity within the students mind concerning how content is applicable to the objectives. The course must be planned properly and must be using a great approach since online learning is different from traditional classroom set up.

Teachers must be able to engage students on the more personal level. As distance learning gets to be more ubiquitous, teachers and college managers shouldn’t forget how they can personally and properly engage students. The approach is different in making students involved with the topics and discussions. The instructors must be updated with the latest tools and software to best meet the interests of the students.

The instructors of a quality distance learning system must have proper training in managing an online classroom. They must be aware that students have difficulties in focusing on the course since they are away and distractions are everywhere in the internet. The management must be able to supply enough support to the instructors; supplying enough tools, references, trainings and sufficient budget to fully develop and continually improve the program.

Student Driven Distance Learning Systems

With video conferencing, dual stream capture and cloud-based technological innovation, some schools are establishing the convention for college distance learning systems. The University of Maryland has been using distance technological innovation for over 25 years and nowadays uses a system that contains six studio room classes equipped with high-definition cameras, video conferencing, LCD displays, annotators that allows teachers to write over shown pictures and cloud-based lecture capture and web-casting alternatives.

The idea behind these technological innovation is old, but the devices itself is new and is located in the remodeled Arnold E. Seigel Learning Center, which is associated with the university’s School of Engineering. Every engineering class is streaming live and recorded for later on-demand watching. The live documenting of lessons is what places the University of Maryland’s online studying system apart from others. “It’s not like someone comes in and is documenting some extremely produced lecture for a topic. They’re educating a class so as a university student at a distance, you’re getting the identical education and learning as you would if you were here on campus,” says Marty Ronning, assistant director of Distance Education and Technology Services at the University of Maryland.

This type of system “is becoming more of a de-facto convention for distance learning systems and college,” says Scott Morgan, senior account administrator for Western Chester, Pa.-based Advanced AV. Morgan wasn’t engaged in the UMD venture but does a lot of identical set ups in the mid-Atlantic area. The design of the remodeled studying center is designed to make the best academic chance of the university’s learners. Each studio class room has a Polycom video conferencing system and four LCD displays by NEC. They also have Sony models HD cameras, a Panasonic A/V switcher, an Extron annotator and Mediasite by Sound Foundry as a web-casting and lecture capture system. The dual streams help to make as close to an on-campus atmosphere as possible for the school’s off-campus members, says Ronning.

Growth of Distance Learning Systems

Online education and learning is growing, but there is always, especially in the federal government, a need to have live class room teachers,” said Merc. “The company structure has changed with distance learning systems. The students have to buy the computer and pay for the internet access.” Ironically, NASA’s Jet Space Lab (JPL) in Pasadena is a federal government enterprise that has turned from satellites to accept distance learning systems. JPL is managed by the California Institute of Technology, which selected LifeSize to help connect its 5,000 workers spread out in more than 100 structures. In addition, JPL’s workers, companies and partners are situated in remote offices around the world. JPL was looking for face-to-face over video capabilities allowing more frequent conferences between slightly situated employees and more appropriate transactions of ideas. The result is increased cooperation and contribution.

“Traditionally in the government and education space, applying interactive videos has been difficult to set up and making video calls has been a complicated process,” said Cindy Joffrion, LifeSize’s program manager for government, education and medical services. “I remember sitting in a college class room that had interactive videos and the video conferencing unit took up half the class room.” Joffrion recognizes the coming of WiFi and cellular phones having brought in an adjusting stage in distance learning systems.

“There is a drive for cellular, cloud and virtualization and this is essentially changing how video interaction and online learning works,” said Joffrion. “Distance learning is starting to become more adaptable to technology and to meet the needs of the customer. It is actually integrating and changing to advancement.” Another aspect of the progress of on the internet studying is shown by simple controls and performance. “WiFi enables smart video that places cooperation in the hands of the customer in a simpler user-interface method,” said Joffrion. “The smart-video concept is built on that concept of generality, allowing users to make video calls with a simple push of a button.”

The World of Distance Learning Systems

Distance learning is a mode of providing education and training, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a conventional setting such as a class room. Distance learning systems provide “access to education when the source of information and the students are separated by time or distance, or both.” Nowadays, online learning, usually in college-level, where students work on their own at home or at the office and interaction with faculty and other students via e-, digital forums, video chat, message boards, instant messaging and other forms of computer-based communication. Most distance learning systems include a computer-based training (CBT) program and communication tools to produce a virtual class room. Because the World Wide Web is accessible from virtually all pc systems, they serve as the foundation for distance learning methods.

The first online learning course in the modern era was provided and developed by Sir Isaac Pitman in the 1840s, who taught a system of shorthand by mailing texts transcribed into shorthand on post cards and receiving transcriptions from his students in return for correction, the element of student feedback was crucial advancement of Pitman’s program.

There are different types of distance learning systems:

Audio Based – It is distance learning method utilizing one-way or two-way interaction. This includes everything from radio broadcasting and phone conferences to pre-recorded audio CDs.

Video Based – There are two basic types of video distance learning courses:

Prerecorded Video – videotaped courses are sent to students who can view them at an off-site location.
Two-Way Interactive Video – Satellites, cameras, and computer monitors allow teachers and/or students at another website.

Internet Based – Web centered applications require a web based accessibility and little else. Students of online distance learning applications often receive training through websites, email, digital forums, and messaging systems. These applications generally offer the same program as on-site applications and usually come with an adjusted price tag. Perhaps this is why internet distance learning is becoming so popular. Distance education and learning technologies are separated into two ways of delivery: synchronous learning and asynchronous learning. In synchronous learning, all members are ”present” simultaneously. In this regard, it appears like conventional class room teaching methods despite the members being located remotely. It requires a schedule to be organized. In asynchronous learning, members access course materials flexibly on their own schedules.

Distance Learning Systems and Modern Education

This academic design is not for everyone or even most learners and might never substitute the traditional university or fix many of the issues about the costs of college in the United States. But then, why is this micro-trend even important? Distance learning systems show an overall satisfaction with performing much of one’s life online. It is simply another edition of telecommuting, e-commerce, and social media, by enabling learners to work from wherever they might be, with others and with access to faculty and course materials entirely through the internet. Most of the elements of the academic experience, apart from rock climbing walls and dormitories, have been digitized for quick accessibility. As the brick-and-mortar retail store outlet decreases in significance, so too does the physical university for an essential community of American learners.

This, in turn, changes the potential structure and variety of the post-traditional university student population, in interesting ways. Without the pressure of relocation, learners can come from anywhere in the United States and throughout the world and bring their viewpoints and experiences to the exclusive academic office. This makes an opportunity for connections and cooperation across geographical limitations novel for part-time adult studying. America’s colleges have an especially poor record of graduating learners. Many begin, withstand high educational costs and have large debt, only to then drop out when life otherwise intervenes. Distance learning systems become an essential means for resolved adults to now complete their degrees.

Others well provided by online studying are those who want to further the degree and studying beyond the bachelors degree and enhance their professions without risking their work and income. Many travel regularly, work long and irregular hours and balance this with complex and challenging home lives. They can carve out the twenty hours or so every week to learn online, provided that they can do so when and where they want. They can tap educational costs assistance from their companies, so their out-of-pocket costs will be minimal.

Distance Learning History

Despite research to the contrary, many people, teachers often included, continue to claim that no person of perceptive benefit ever discovered anything of worth in the history of distance learning. This is my reaction to that foolish prejudicial notice that it requires a lecture area and a bell tower to make a university. Studying occurs within your head, not within an educational setting. This helps describe why graduate students of distance learning and communication degree programs have, for more than a century, gone on to win Nobel awards, found business empires and write literary works worth international popularity. One need only look into the record of distance learning to locate several big-name graduates. So, here’s a look at how distance learning evolved during the years.

1840 – Isaac Pitman teaches shorthand by correspondence in the UK.
1858 – The University of London creates External Program.
1883 – New York State authorizes the Chautauqua Institute to award degrees earned via correspondence.
1891 – The Colliery Engineer School of Mines renames itself International Correspondence Schools.
1892 – The University of Chicago starts administering the first university courses by mail.
1906 – The Calvert School of Baltimore becomes the first primary school in the United States to offer correspondence courses.
1916 – The National University Continuing Education Association is created in the United States.
1921 – Pennsylvania State College begins broadcasting courses on the radio.
1933 – The University of Iowa begins broadcasting courses on television.
1950 – The Ford Foundation begins offering grants to create and develop educational programs for television broadcasting.
1967 – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is created.
1970 – Walden University is established.
1974 – California State University offers a Masters degree via correspondence.
1982 – The National University Teleconferencing Network is established.
1984 – The personal computer is named “man of the year” by Time Magazine.

Distance Education and Getting a College Degree

The benefit of distance education programs, perhaps the biggest and the one that has the most effect on people is budget. Different people enroll in distance education programs for different reasons, but the greatest objective is the same: to generate a college degree to help enhance their personal and professional lives. And if it comes to a price tag lower than a degree in the educational setting, then who can complain? The actual training and costs for programs on the internet cannot be much less costly than conventional school applications. Although educational institutions can pay a little less for their distance education or online degree, the difference may not be important. This is especially true for educational institutions that have already recognized themselves in distance learning.

However, the improving competitors between institutions and universities and colleges to entice the growing group of on the internet learners at the turn could drive the cost of web based programs down, making them even more cost-effective for learners. Learning the primary reason for studying applications online is usually less costly because they allow learners to sustain a job and go to school simultaneously. Many on the internet learners are full-time professionals with serious careers.

Juggling school with a full-time job is much easier with the online degrees and provides the versatility to study from anywhere, just adhere to the program and work at your own speed. This is a far cry from the programs normal educational setting adhere to. This on the internet programs means learners can continue to work to their full-time job and get the same wage they were before they start studying; guaranteeing that the learning they do will not cause major upheavals in their financial life. Another thing is, being employed while participating college is that you can be able to get economical aid from your company. Many companies are willing to invest in their bright and promising workers. If you are able to persuade companies that the abilities and training obtained by your degree on the internet can benefit, then they may accept to finance part or all of your education and learning.

Distance Education and the Future of Education

On the internet or distance education— the training and studying of learners not physically present in the traditional educational setting — is growing in recent times and provides perhaps the greatest chance — and challenge — in the history of education. The current problems in college funding, both in the U.S. and overseas, in addition to important technology developments and the demand for more college degrees across all areas of society, have placed distance education in the center of every college conversation. Students and parents, schools, government authorities and management bodies, and many other constituencies have an important interest in a number of critical issues including distance education.

Virtually every large school and many other universities already provide some type of online education and studying opportunity. Some, specifically online providers have been around for decades. Some colleges are experimenting with combined ventures to provide no cost web based programs, such as Harvard and MIT through their partnership edX. Closer To Home, U.Va. has declared its decision to offer no cost web based programs through Coursera, a for-profit company whose other education and learning partners include Cal Tech, Duke, Georgia Tech, Johns-Hopkins, Michigan, Princeton, Stanford and Penn, as well as several leading universities abroad. The commitment of resources both individually and collectively by these top-tier colleges underscores the integral role of distance learning in college.

Regardless of the many hurdles and difficulties, distance education is, and will continue to be, a fundamental element of education. It provides much greater access to college credit and will considerably increase the number of degrees finished while reducing the cost of those degrees. Learners must exercise warning, however, while colleges need to look at common requirements and government and management organizations need to play their part. It is our future to band together.

Benefits of Distance Education

Not too long ago, the idea of generating a post-secondary degree from classes on the web was met with a hefty amount of uncertainty. However, the fast development of software over the previous 20 years has triggered a good switch in behavior towards online classes. Are you considering continuous (or even beginning) your collegiate-degree education? Distance education might be the right choice for you.

Your academic setting is wherever there is a computer with Internet connection. There is no need to clean up your hair and make-up after a long day of work, hop back in the car, and go to a university. The benefits you will have in gas money alone are an attractive aspect to distance education. With the entire thrill of your everyday life, being able to learn without having to commute or travel daily might be an attractive time-saver.

Learning from the comfort of your own home also allows you to put your multi-tasking abilities to work. Have an open half-hour before the next conference or business call? Log into your category and finish an exercise or set of questions. Are you hidden in a hill of laundry? Pick up a gift bag and newspaper while you research or study a section. Studying where you live or work allows you to incorporate your academic projects into your current ones. With online learning, your education and learning is quite basically right at your convenience. Most on the internet applications have an asynchronous structure, significance that you log in to your classes whenever it is practical for you. There might be planned team conversations at pre-specified periods, but for the most part, when you select to do your work is absolutely up to you.