Objectives

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

1. Describe attributes of various telecommunications delivery systems that are appropriate for distance education;
2. State criteria that are useful for selecting delivery systems;
3. Describe examples of text-based and audiovisual-based media; and
4. Relate concepts of instructional design to media selection.

Read one or more of the following Chapters:

• Simonson, et. al, Chapter 4
• http://www.uidaho.edu/evo/distglan.html, Guides #5, #6, #8, and #11

Refer to:

Willis, B (1994) Distance Education: Strategies and Tools. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 .

On reserve in Strozier Library and the CRC in Stone.

Focus Questions:

1. What factors should be considered in making decisions about choosing a delivery system?
2. How would you compare a low cost delivery system (e.g., text, audio, video) with more sophisticated (and expensive) telecommunication systems?
3. Do you think that delivery systems make a difference in student achievement? Why or why not?
4. Does instructional design affect media selection or does media selection determine the instructional design?

Assignment #4 is due at this session.