Distance learning through the Internet
Distance learning is where there is little or no in-person, face to face meetings on one’s learning. I have just found out that it is becoming more common among students who live in rural areas, where students engage in meaningful learning over the internet – distance. Wolcott recommends to minimize the psychological distance for the student there should be a “learner-centered approach” through building rapport, decreasing isolation and enhancing interaction.
To build rapport I strongly affirm with the view that a person’s attitude can affect their own learning. If a student has the attitude that distance learning is “second best” then face to face teaching they can end up self-fulfilling their prophesy. As teachers we should be constantly challenging and building up our students towards learning. Wolcott states that “If our teaching methods demoralise students, rather than challenge them…there is little dignity in being learner”.
Distance learning can be challenging for students this is why it is also important for teachers to aim at decreasing the isolation and enhancing interaction between teacher, student and other students. This could be done through cross-group discussions where students can talk informally to each other, incorporating activities like role playing and case studies. Students could do podcasts and send them to each other, getting feedback. They could enhance social interaction through the use of a blog or a buddy through emails. I just thought that another way to decrease isolation could be to arrange a one-off soical meeting with other students.
I believe that distance learning can be just as effective, if not more practical for those students who are not apart of school environment.
Journal article:
Wolcott, L. (1996). Distant, but not distanced. A learner-centered approach to distance education. TechTrends, 41(4), 23-27.
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