Time Schedule:
Stephen T Kerr
EDC&I 505
Seattle Campus
Seminar on advanced topics in curriculum and instruction. Critical examination of current research and practice. Content varies, check quarterly Time Schedule for topics to be covered. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
Class description
DISTANCE EDUCATION
This course focuses on how courses and programs can be offered at a distance. We will look at several kinds of courses: those offered entirely via the Internet, those using some combination of Internet and face-to-face meetings, and those using other technologies (video, radio, correspondence, proprietary systems, etc.) While many of the examples to be considered are used extensively in higher education, such programs also have audiences in K-12 schooling, in business and industry, in the non-profit and public sectors, and in various international settings.
Students will work on projects of their own choosing, and will also make at least one presentation to the entire class on a topic to be mutually decided upon.
During the quarter, we'll turn our attention to a variety of questions, including but not limited to the following:
1. Is distance learning (DL) equivalent to face-to-face instruction? If so, in what ways? If not, how does it differ? What do we know from research?
2. What factors predict student success in DL environments?
3. How should DL courses and programs be designed and developed? What factors make a difference?
4. How do faculty and other instructors work when offering courses by DL? What aspects of their work are different? How can the differences be addressed?
5. How can one best assess results of student learning in DL? Are there important differences from face-to-face instruction?
6. What are some interesting models of DL practice in the US at various levels? Elsewhere in the world?
7. Is DL cost-effective? When and under what circumstances?
8. What social, political, and legal issues need to be taken into account when offering DL courses and programs?
Student work for the course may address one of these questions in more detail (for a specific instruction or audience, for example), or may delve into other topics.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Class discussions, presentations, field trips, guest speakers. During the quarter, each student will be responsible for all or part of at least one evening's presentation.
Recommended preparation
No specific background is necessary, though some familiarity with one or more aspects of distance education would be helpful. The ability to locate relevant documents (evaluations, research reports, etc.) successfully, to read them thoughtfully, and to summarize them succinctly for others in the course is always important.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments will include preparing for oral presentations on specific questions (see above). There will be a final paper or project, typically with the topic to follow the oral presentation, and extending and elaborating on it.
Grades are assigned based on the quality of oral presentations, the quality of evidence presented, the quality of questions submitted, and general contributions to class discussions. Quality of the final paper or project.
