1. Online Learning to Engage
Distance Learners
A review of its importance and usefulness
August 28, 2013
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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2. Distance Learning – The Early Days
̶
̶
Largely individual independent study.
Limited interaction with tutor or other students.
Early 20c
60’s-80’s
80’s-90’s
Print
Broadcast
CBL and
Teleconferencing
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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3. Distance Learning – Recent and Current
̶
̶
Internet and Online Learning from Early 90’s.
Institutionally controlled learning using VLE’s and Open Learning
on the web.
Early 90’s to
Late 90’s
Internet resources and
computer mediated
communications
Late 90’s to
Mid 2000’s
Mid 2000’s
to Current
Virtual Learning
Environments
Social Media, Mobile
and Synchronous
Technology,
Open Learning
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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4. Online Learning – Why so Important ?
With a clear vision and team work (teacher-facilitator, learning
technologist, support staff) online learning offers many useful benefits:
̶ It’s convenient for learners.
̶ It allows for ease of communication.
̶ It facilitates many learning strategies.
• From knowledge acquisition to participative learning strategies.
• It can cater for different learning styles or modes of delivery.
̶
̶
̶
̶
̶
It can be inclusive and allow more voices to be heard.
It can promote standardisation and consistency of material.
It captures and stores learning for learners.
It captures and stores data about learning for administrators.
It promotes life skills.
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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5. Online Learning – The Really Important Thing!
Online learning facilitates interactive and collaborative online tasks
that many studies have shown improves the engagement and the
learning of the learners involved.
It also facilitates connectivity with people and resources on a massive
scale. Informal learning using connectivist strategies allows learners to
enhance and develop a personal learning network.
Studies worth taking note of include:
̶ Paloff, R. and Pratt, K. (2001) Lessons from the Cyberspace
Classroom.
̶ Anderson, T. (2003) Getting the Mix Right Again: An updated and
theoretical rationale for interaction. 
̶ Drexler, W. (2008) The networked student model for constructing
personal learning environments (Related Youtube link). 
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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6. Online Learning: Some Tools and Applications
Blogs
Social Bookmarking
Connections to useful websites and
other online resources
Social Networking
Connections to people and
resources
Reflection
Wikis
Online Media
Examples include youtube (video),
flickr (photos), itunes (podcasts)
plus self produced media
Collaboration
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7. Successful Online Learning: Essential Components
There are many tools and technologies that can be used but there are
some essential components that we need to make online learning
successful:
̶ Enthusiastic teacher-facilitator.
̶ Support, advice and practical help from a learning technologist.
̶ Student support services in place – administration, technical,
academic, pastoral.
̶ Alignment of learning outcomes, content, learning tasks and
assessment strategy to ensure a relevant and engaging learning
experience.
̶ Clear instructions and information (good communication).
̶ Comprehensive Induction (options include live online web
conference, pre recorded video(s) or if regional or national possibly
face to face) with module guides which help orientate the learner to
how best learn in the online learning environment provided.
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8. Teachers and Online Distance Learning
̶
Teachers should be at the heart
of the module.
• Working closely with learning
technologists for help and
support.
̶
Teachers personality and attitude
will have a big impact.
• Set culture of learning
•
•
•
•
Preparation of resources
Design of learning activities
Teaching approach
Student support
For online learning to work
there must be teacher's who
have a certain love and respect
for E-learning.
Discussion Comment: The other side of Online Learning: Online
Teaching
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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9. Online Learning Strategies – Things to Consider
Determine your Strategy:
Strongly inclined to A select 1, to B Select 10
Option A
Option B
Knowledge Acquisition
Active Participation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Individual Study
Group Work/Social
Interaction
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Teacher Led Learning
Autonomous Student
Learning
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Formal
Informal
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Synchronous
Asynchronous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Private/Secure
Open Education Practice
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Technology Poor
Technology Rich
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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10. Online Learning Strategies: More Considerations
In relation to teaching and learning extra things to consider are:
̶ Strategies and tools for students to acquire core knowledge.
̶ Strategies and tools that allow students to demonstrate
understanding of concepts.
̶ Strategies and tools that students allow to demonstrate how
they can apply and put into practice the knowledge they have
gained and the concepts they have understood.
̶ Strategies and tools that promote participation, interaction and
collaboration (Social and Active Learning).
̶ Strategies and tools for communicating with your students and
vice versa and other communication need of your students.
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11. Thank You
There are great possibilities – with a clear vision,
good strategies and team work, online learning is
uplifting, inspiring and productive.
Steve Mackenzie 28-08-2013: Online Learning to Engage Distance Learners
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