Distance Education: A Program and Facility Study.

Overview & Synopsis

This publication provides both a review of the different technology modes that may be used for distance education and a set of guidelines for planning and developing conceptual designs for educational facilities capable of supporting technologically enhanced educational delivery systems in a variety of settings. The Distance Learning in Small Schools Project of the Alberta Department of Education conducted a survey of the current literature on distance education and identified five major areas of investigation: (1) aims of distance education; (2) appropriate technology modes; (3) design considerations; (4) relationships between the distance education suite and adjacent instructional areas; and (5) human communications, such as effect on education paradigm, role of teacher, attitudes and behaviors of teachers and students. The available technology offers these advantages: suitability for individualization, equitable accessibility, and increased student motivation. Conversely, a technology-based learning environment is complex and can separate students from each other and from their teachers. The appropriate mix of courseware must be selected to satisfy instructional objectives, followed by choice of hardware. Included in this report are: (1) a glossary of technological terms; (2) a review of existing technology; (3) an explanation by means of a schematic layout of different modes of distance education; (4) a diagrammatic planning and design guide for different types of distance education suites and for a student workstation; (5) illustrated data sheets and workstation specifications; and (6) an analysis of cost implications. A 57-item bibliography, as well as an overview of technology and a cost analysis, are appended. (ALL)