Objectives

At the end of this session you should be able to:

1. Describe the components (subsystems) of distance education.
2. Define distance education according to its major characteristics.
3. State some of the "pros" and "cons" about learning at a distance.
4. Formulate your own hypotheses about the future of distance learning.

Read the following chapter:

Simonson, et. al, Chapter 1
Look at:
http://www.uidaho.edu/evo/distglan.html, Guide #1

Visit:

1. VUG @ geteducated.com or www.geteducated.com
2. EDUPAGE @ LISTSERV.EDUCAUSE.EDU
3. Syllabus @ 101communications-news.com
4. www.open.ac.uk/
Be ready to discuss the quality and content of at least two of these WWW resources.

Focus Ouestions:

1. Name 3-4 distance learning programs and describe the differences and similarities among them.
2. Why must distance learning programs use a systematic approach?
3. What delivery vehicles are used by the British Open University?
4. What are some of the appropriate uses of distance learning?

Your first reaction paper is (Assignment 1) due at this session.