Quality Content in Distance Education

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Quality Content in Distance Education Universal Journal of Educational Research 4(12): 2857-2862, 2016 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2016.041220 Quality Content in Distance Education Ezgi Pelin Yildiz*, Aytekin İşman Institute of Educational Sciences, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey Copyright©2016 by authors, all rights reserved. Authors agree that this article remains permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License Abstract In parallel with technological advances in quality approval and presented to a person, group or people today's world of education activities can be conducted who needs education. Accreditation is a concept developed without the constraints of time and space. One of the most in education to agree on certain standards. One of the most important of these activities is distance education. The important institutions providing the accreditation of distance success of the distance education is possible with content education institutions is the Distance Education and Training quality. The proliferation of e-learning environment has Council (DETC). According to the organization's 1998 data brought a need for content production. In educational the average age of Internet-based distance education students process one of the most important subjects is learning contest. participating in the programme was 31 and the most Learning contest represents an entire course, subject important problem in the frequently asked questions section materials, content modules, learning objects about courses, is the validity level of the diplomas or certificates in the other information resources and periodicals. Quality of the content countries that they take this education in another institutions. in distance education systems come before the factors that While the studies of accreditation are still going on these determine the quality of education. kinds of questions subsist in the part of problems at education institutions. Accredited institutions have provided Keywords Distance Education, E-learning, Quality, standardised, Internet-based distance education programmes Content that are implemented by educational institutions which haves provided a way to solve these problems (Gürol & Sevindik, [4]). sIt ha been observed that there has been an increase in the 1. Introduction number of universities across the world implementing distance education through innovative forms of education. Many new concepts have emerged within education using Information on distance learning is transferred to the information and communication technology. One of these is students by communication Technology and in this point the the concept of distance education. Distant education is an quality control system of distance education is featuring. institutive education activity which brings; teaching (Batura et al. [5]). A quality control system is expected to be materials with communication tecnologies, teachers and fulfilled in a repeated 4-step cycle; planning, monitoring, students in different places together. Distance learning is one organizing and setting up set up all elements of the system. of the rapidly developing fields of education (Boas et al. [1]). Active, social-oriented, creative and self-sufficient In other words distance education expresses the model of an educational qualifications are the main criteria in the quality education system that the student and teachers in different of distance education. The supportive factors could be places make the learning-teaching activities with organized as motivation in education, self-organization communication technologies and mail services real (İşman, information and communication technologies with practical [2]). Distance learning is an important tool that meets the experience availability, distance education’s psychological learning needs of young people and adults. Distance learning and technological adaptation. Quality in distance education has a great potential at various levels. can be characterized by three elements: staffing, training and The development of modern information technology has methodological materials, material and technical encouraged the advance of distance higher education (Zhao infrastructure (Batura et al. [5]). Also distance learning is & Li, [3]). Quality assurance systems that improve the evaluated through quality control conditions, process quality quality of distance higher education haves been established. and quality of results. Quality conditions include the training In this context, distance education and the accreditation of and supply system, the material and technical infrastructure quality assurance systems are created. Accreditation in and personnel, process quality includes; education, science education is a way of verification of a definite institution’s and research and management, the quality of the results; two education quality which has been approved by academic dimensions are discussed: the quality of the students, and an 2858 Quality Content in Distance Education external evaluation of graduates is examined by; the The content management systems are the systems that the employment rate and, unemployment rate. The quality of the web site owner and the other authorised users’ private students; knowledge, skills and experience are examined. account information (user name, password, ...) with the The graduate of external evaluation; the employment rate, reached Web site Management panel by using the content unemployment rate and problems are examined. The that can be changed and add the new ones on the website University of Texas Pan American quality in distance (text, pictures, music, files, etc.). Web-based programs education is discussed from three angles; quality of content, which means the programs that works on the internet can be presentation quality and the quality of student services run easily to use without the need to install to the private (Davies et al. [6]). The quality of distance education could be computer and it can be reached from any computer anywhere evaluated by approaching the learning experiences’ results in the world. The software's that featured in content on these identified factors. Especially for the quality content, production are: Adobe Captivate, Adobe Presenter, Adobe content experts, instructional designers, media experts, Flash Adobe X pro Raptivity, Camtasia, Articulate, graphic designers and there is a need to be synchronised and Articulate Engage, Articulate Presenter, Authoware, Lectora, work as a team in one or more subject technology officer. Elicitus, Rapid Intake, Toolbook, Keynote, Webex For effective learning in distance education components presentation studio, Articulate studio. such as interaction via, text, sound, simple graphical Apart from the need for any software installation without presentations, video presentations, animations, simulations, providing rapid content development services that can be test systems, should be supported by feedback. The used if necessary to give a few examples of websites: proliferation of e-learning environments has brought the E-Learning Brothers: It is possible to get the SWF need for the content to be produced together and is one of the with a flash output by changing the desired content on most important points to be considered in the educational ready-made templates (www.elearningbrothers.com). process of learning content. The quality of content is one of Panopto: Fast offline content that can be prepared and the factors that determine the quality of education in distance published (www.panopta.com). learning. Numerous content development tools for distance Presentations 2Go: The program can translate a learning are available. The use of these tools are practical described course as an accessible content which can be quick to prepare and can bring about very different content. accessed from web save it with the person’s shared The most important objective in the design of educational information of the presentation and image in a content; is that it is easy for users to understand, easy to learn conference. (http://www.presentations2go.eu). and is an interactive structure. Related features that affect the Open sources and coded softwares show themselves at quality of content include: it should; be interactive with, development of the contents of distance learning. Open audio, images, animation, multimedia support, simulation source code is an application development method that and animation of courses and learning activities to give the presents an easy access to the product's source. It provides a work contains questions and tests. The other issue in content significant advantage in terms of cost open source content quality is to provide the content standards (Balaban, [7]). and development tools allow people with no professional Therefore it is important to investigate the selection of the skills to easily create interactive course content. Almost all Learning Management System (LMS) and Content software development tools have a graphical user interface. Management Systems (CMS) soft wares’ whether they use Most of this software also has Turkish language support. All the standards or not. Learning Management System software these features provide to prepare a content in a fast and easy enables the monitoring of user information. It allows the way to the content development teams who give a distance selection and registration of students in distance or blended education in institutions, instructors and the other people
Recommended publications
  • A Review of Distance Learning and Learning Management Systems
    Chapter 1 A Review of Distance Learning and Learning Management Systems Mümine Kaya Keleş and Selma Ayşe Özel Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/65222 Abstract In recent years, rapid developments in technology and the web have led to many changes in education. One of the most important changes in education is in the form of distance learning. Distance learning, which is used to define education where educators and learners are physically separated, is not a new concept; however, emerging technologies and the web allow web‐based distance learning and therefore increase its popularity. As a result of these developments, many universities have started to use web‐based distance learning systems to provide flexible education that is independent of time and place. In this chapter, we review all popular, widely used, and well‐known learning management systems and include detailed comparison of some of these systems to allow institutions to choose the right system for their distance education activities. Keywords: distance learning, literature review, educational research, learning manage- ment systems, Moodle 1. Introduction Distance education, which is now also referred to as distance learning or e‐learning, has existed for centuries. Although as Keegan says “the ideas surrounding the educational endeavor are somewhat similar” [1], it is not easy to find a single definition of distance education. While according to North [2], a few definitions even look to define it in terms of a single technology, according to long‐distance teaching [3], others display distance education simply as a recent development of the class into a remote location [4].
    [Show full text]
  • Learning Management System Technologies and Software Solutions for Online Teaching: Tools and Applications
    Learning Management System Technologies and Software Solutions for Online Teaching: Tools and Applications Yefim Kats Ellis University, USA & Rivier College, USA InformatIon scIence reference Hershey • New York Director of Editorial Content: Kristin Klinger Director of Book Publications: Julia Mosemann Acquisitions Editor: Lindsay Johnston Development Editor: Elizabeth Ardner Typesetter: Gregory Snader Production Editor: Jamie Snavely Cover Design: Lisa Tosheff Printed at: Yurchak Printing Inc. Published in the United States of America by Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global) 701 E. Chocolate Avenue Hershey PA 17033 Tel: 717-533-8845 Fax: 717-533-8661 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.igi-global.com/reference Copyright © 2010 by IGI Global. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without written permission from the publisher. Product or company names used in this set are for identification purposes only. Inclusion of the names of the products or companies does not indicate a claim of ownership by IGI Global of the trademark or registered trademark. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Learning management system technologies and software solutions for online teaching : tools and applications / Yefim Kats, editor. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: "This book gives a general coverage of learning management systems followed by a comparative analysis of the particular LMS products, review of technologies supporting different aspect of educational process, and, the best practices and methodologies for LMS-supported course delivery"--Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-1-61520-853-1 (hardcover) -- ISBN 978-1-61520-854-8 (ebook) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Distance Education Certification Standards
    Distance Education Certification Standards Association of Real Estate License Law Officials 11650 Olio Road, Suite 1000 #360, Fishers, IN 46037 Copyright 2020 Table of Contents PREFACE ................................................................................................................................... 1 Background to the Standards .................................................................................................... 1 The Standards Task Force Founding Members.................................................................................................................. 2 2013 -­‐ 2014 Revision Taskforce Members .......................................................................................................................... 2 IDECC and New Industries ........................................................................................................................................................... 3 WHY STANDARDS? ................................................................................................................. 4 What is Distance Learning Education? ............................................................................................................................. 4 Standards, Amid Change .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Curricula, Courses, and Distance Delivery ......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Open Source Learning Management Systems
    Open Source Learning Management Systems Emerging open source LMS markets Recommended LMS for each market Getting off on the right foot By Mark Aberdour Epic Technical Producer, Epic 52 Old Steine Brighton, BN1 1NH United Kingdom [email protected] www.epic.co.uk t: +44 (0) 1273 728686 f: +44 (0) 1273 821567 All rights reserved. You agree that by downloading and accessing this publication that no part of it maybe reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Epic. Full acknowledgement of author and source must be given. ©2007 Epic Reproduction without written permission is strictly forbidden - 2 - An Epic White Paper Contents Executive summary 4 A changing market 4 The oppor tunity for Open Source 5 Emerging open source LMS markets 6 Large enterprise 6 Small and medium sized business (SMB) 6 Government and public sector 7 Primary and secondary education 7 Rapid rollout 8 Market feature matrix 8 The open source landscape 10 Benefits of Open Source 10 Risks of Open Source 11 Myths of Open Source 12 Selecting an open source LMS 13 Market recommendations 15 Large enterprise 15 Small and medium sized business 17 Government and public sector 19 Primary and secondary education 21 Rapid rollout 23 A detailed look at each LMS 24 Atutor 24 DotLRN 25 Ilias 26 Moodle 27 Sakai 28 Getting off on the right foot 30 Appendix A: Active open source LMS projects 32 References 33 Other Epic e-learning white papers 35 Epic Thinking 37 Epic Arena 38 ©2007 Epic Reproduction without written permission is strictly forbidden - 3 - An Epic White Paper Executive summary If you thought that “Open source learning management system (LMS) equals Moodle”, then think again.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparison and Evaluation of Open Source Learning Managment Systems
    Itmazi, Jamil, Gea, M. M., Paderewski, P. and Gutiérrez, F.L. 2005. A Comparison and evaluation OF Open source learning managment systems. IADIS International Conference - Applied Computing 2005. Algarve, Portugal. 22-25 Feb. http://www.iadis.net/dl/Search_list_open.asp?code=1189 http://www-etsi2.ugr.es/usuarios/jamil/Prest_IADIS.pdf A COMPARISON AND EVALUATION OF OPEN SOURCE LEARNING MANAGMENT SYSTEMS Jamil Ahmad Itmazi PhD. Student Computer Science Department, Granada University, Spain [email protected] Gea, M. M., Paderewski, P. and Gutiérrez, F.L Computer Science Department ETSI, Granada University, Spain [email protected] ABSTRACT The eLearning is a new modern tool of current learning system; it is becoming so important of the learning of the universities. The core of eLearning solutions is LMS or CMS (learning/course management systems), which help the university to automates the managing of learning events. Some of LMS are commercial Software, while others are free Open-Source LMS. The universities give more attention to OS-LMS, which are becoming very interesting of the eLearning landscape, even it are competing other proprietary software. In fact, studying and analyzing LMS´s is not easy; because the serious studies that made evaluation and comparison of the LMS are not sufficient, especially the open-source LMS, which did not take a good attention in those studies, so we emphasis the necessity of more analysis and study of LMS´s which involve OS-LMS and we try to contribute with this article. In this article, we make an introduction of LMS, listing some of them, choosing two OS-LMS (Moodle and Ilias) to study and evaluate then we start the comparison and evaluation to every package with introduction, features, different views and weaknesses (suggests to improve it).
    [Show full text]
  • The University and the Future
    Contents PRESENTATION 1 THE UNIVERSITY THE YEAR AT A AND THE FUTURE GLANCE 2 ACADEMIC YEAR 2010-2011 SUMMARY OF THE UOC ANNUAL REPORT THE UOC IN FIGURES 8 THE UOC IN THE WORLD 16 RESEARCH, TRANSFER AND INNOVATION 18 EDUCATION AND QUALITY 20 FINANCIAL REPORT 22 THE UOC ONLINE 24 portada okENG.indd 1 09/02/12 11:04 “OVER THE LAST ACADEMIC YEAR WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THE UOC IS EVEN MORE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE, FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE TO SOCIETY’S NEEDS, AND MOBILE, MULTILINGUAL AND MULTI-FORMAT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE LIFESTYLES OF OUR STUDENTS.” Imma Tubella, President of the UOC rectora.uoc.edu THE UNIVERSITY AND THE FUTURE Recently, I have had the opportunity to For this reason, over the last academic present the UOC’s educational and gov- year we have made every effort to ensure ernance model at international university that the UOC is even more open and ac- forums in such diverse corners of the world cessible, fl exible and adaptable to society’s as Washington, Paris, Singapore, Qatar and needs, and mobile, multilingual and multi- Kenya to widely differing audiences from the format in order to be able to respond to the academic, scientifi c, business and govern- lifestyles of our students. ment sectors. On each occasion, I felt great pride on hearing how speakers – both those This commitment means we have to who already knew about us and those who reinvent ourselves constantly and steer our only just had – saw the UOC as a point of organisation so as to bravely navigate the reference for their online universities.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of Available Elearning Platforms (Focusing on Freeware)
    Overview of available eLearning Platforms (focusing on freeware) Work Package 4 of the Project Blended Learning Quality-Concepts Optimized for Adult Education Compiled and edited by Multilateral Grundtvig Project 539717-LLP-1-2013-1-IT-GRUNDTVIG-GMP This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein. Content 1. What is open source? ............................................................................................. 3 1.1. Free Redistribution .......................................................................................... 3 1.2. Source Code..................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Derived Works ................................................................................................. 3 1.4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code ............................................................ 3 1.5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups ................................................ 3 1.6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor ................................................ 3 1.7. Distribution of License..................................................................................... 3 1.8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product ..................................................... 4 1.9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software ....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • UM Distance Education Handbook For
    Faculty Distance Education Handbook 2020-2022 1 https://www.montevallo.edu/academics/distance-education-um/ Table of Contents UM Distance Education .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 Definitions................................................................................................................................................................ 4 Technical Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................... 5 University Commitment ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Provision of Faculty Training and Support ................................................................................................ 6 Faculty Commitment ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 Distance Education Policies .............................................................................................................................. 8 Communication of Distance Education Requirements.......................................................................... 9 Best Instructional Practices for Distance Education Courses ......................................................... 10 Student
    [Show full text]
  • OER for Distance Learning: Means to Knowledge Empowerment for Developing Nations
    OER for Distance Learning: Means to Knowledge Empowerment For Developing Nations Dr. Sitansu Sekhar Jena, Dean, School of Distance Learning, SVKM’s NMIMS University, Mumbai, India E-mail: [email protected] 1. INTRODUCTION The role of distance education is changing drastically both at micro and macro context. Education has no longer remained either the prerogative of institutions or even knowledge has no longer remained under the sole control of teachers only. Thanks to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which has not only brought the revolutions in the education system but also changed the strategies for learning amongst the young masses. As one progress in the present century, almost every day new and advanced technologies are added, and thereby the strategies for learning are also getting updated in the educational institutions. The role of teachers in the context of planning learning strategies in the classrooms is getting replaced with the updated inputs as supported by the ICT. Hence, each and every player in the education need to get them selves updated to this changing scenario. This calls for not only self-renewal for teachers on a continuous basis but also the planners, the policy makers and even parents need to adopt themselves to this changing environment. It is in this context, the Open Educational Resources (OER) plays a significant role not only to updates ones own knowledge but also empowers to create a knowledge society amongst the developing world. 2. WHAT ARE OER? The Open Educational Resource (OER) materials are the digitized version of the learning materials that are available freely and openly for learners, teachers and scholars to use and re- use for teaching learning and research activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Experts Say the 'New Normal' in 2025 Will Be Far More Tech-Driven
    FOR RELEASE February 18, 2021 Experts Say the ‘New Normal’ in 2025 Will Be Far More Tech-Driven, Presenting More Big Challenges A plurality of experts think sweeping societal change will make life worse for most people as greater inequality, rising authoritarianism and rampant misinformation take hold in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. Still, a portion believe life will be better in a ‘tele-everything’ world where workplaces, health care and social activity improve BY Janna Anderson, Lee Rainie and Emily A. Vogels FOR MEDIA OR OTHER INQUIRIES: Lee Rainie, Director, Internet and Technology Research Janna Anderson, Director, Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center Haley Nolan, Communications Associate 202.419.4372 www.pewresearch.org RECOMMENDED CITATION Pew Research Center, February 18, 2021. “Experts Say the ‘New Normal’ in 2025 Will Be Far More Tech-Driven, Presenting More Big Challenges” 1 PEW RESEARCH CENTER About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does not take policy positions. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis and other data-driven social science research. The Center studies U.S. politics and policy; journalism and media; internet, science and technology; religion and public life; Hispanic trends; global attitudes and trends; and U.S. social and demographic trends. All of the Center’s reports are available at www.pewresearch.org. Pew Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder. For this project, Pew Research Center worked with Elon University’s Imagining the Internet Center, which helped conceive the research and collect and analyze the data.
    [Show full text]
  • Free to Learn an Open Educational Resources Policy Development Guidebook for Community College Governance Officials
    free to learn An Open Educational Resources Policy Development Guidebook for Community College Governance Officials by HAl PlOtkin Acknowledgements The author would like to acknowledge those whose help and leadership have been instrumental to the production of this paper. First and foremost are Marshall (Mike) Smith and Catherine (Cathy) Casserly, whose combined vision and tenacity at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation gave life to the global, fast-growing Open Educational Resources movement. Many years from now, historians will look back at this period as the time when a handful of innovative leaders began to transform education and higher education in particular, from a system that weeded people out to one that lifts people up. The first chapter in that yet to be written history book will be all about Mike and Cathy. I’m also grateful to the many other inspired and inspiring leaders of the Open Educational Resources movement I have encountered over the years, all of whom share a common sense that ours can and thus must be the first generation that begins to more fully develop all of our shared human capital, not only to be fair to all, but also to maximize our full potential as a human family. The remarkable leaders who occupy the frontlines of this noble and important movement include Hal Abelson, Nicole Allen, Kwasi Asare, Judy Baker, Richard Baraniuk, Martin Bean, Ahrash Bissell, Carl Brown, Steve Carson, Tom Caswell, Karen Cator, Barbara Chow, Lucifer Chu, Susan D’Antoni, Mary Lou Forward, Erhardt Graeff, Cable Green, Melissa Hagemann, Mara Hancock, Barbara Illowsky, Joi Ito, Sally Johnstone, Martha Kanter, Neeru Khosla, W.
    [Show full text]
  • Open and Distance Learning (Odl) Education System: Past, Present and Future – a Study of an Unconventional Education System
    Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology Issn No : 1006-7930 OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING (ODL) EDUCATION SYSTEM: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE – A STUDY OF AN UNCONVENTIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM *Dr.I.Ambeth, Assistant Professor of Vocational Education, Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai **Dr.N.Saravanakumar, Assistant Professor of Economics Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai Abstract The concept of open learning and distance education system focuses on open access to education and training to make the learners free from the constraints of time and place, and offering flexible learning opportunities to individuals and groups of learners. Open and distance learning (ODL)is one of the most rapidly growing fields of education now a days and it has substantial impact on all education delivery systems. The new ODL system growing fast because of the development of Internet-based information technologies, and in particular the World Wide Web. The concept of ODL education came from idea where the learners and the teachers can not be in a class room and they should be separated by some geographical distance or maybe they cannot come close to each other to make the entire education system flexible. The distance education is not a new concept. In the late 1800s, at the University of Chicago, the first launched major correspondence program in the US in which the teacher and learner were at different locations. It is addressed to a wide range of potential partners, governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, specialized institutions, associations, industrial corporations, telecommunication companies, and others interested in this field, to seek their co- operation in meeting today’s urgent education and training needs, through open and distance Volume XII, Issue III, 2020 Page No: 77 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology Issn No : 1006-7930 learning.
    [Show full text]