Back to the Future:Back to the Future:The Power of Traditional The Power of Traditional Teaching with Modern Teaching with Modern CommunicationCommunicationBrian MulliganBrian MulliganOpen Learning CoordinatorOpen Learning CoordinatorInstitute of Technology SligoInstitute of Technology Sligo

m-ICTE2009 Conferencem-ICTE2009 Conference2222ndnd – 24 – 24thth April, 2009, Lisbon, Portugal. April, 2009, Lisbon, Portugal.

Why is online-distance learning developing so

slowly

?

Could we be the problem?

• Distance Learning Developers• Multimedia Developers• Instructional Designers

Teaching in Higher Education

• Traditional– Lectures– Discussion– Assignments– Textbooks– Handouts– Low investment

• Online/Distance– Content– Standard

approach– High level of

Planning– High investment

• Large class sizes

The ‘progressive’ lecturer • Online resources and communication.• Online submission and feedback.• Web resources.• Quizzes• Asynchronous discussion• Recording of lectures.• No extra payment• The result is more ‘flexible’

– Effectively distance learning.

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Students

Growth of online distance learning at

Institute of Technology Sligo, Ireland

“Organic” growth in one department

How was this achieved?

‘Evening Classes’

online

live classes (online)

textbook

Course Webpage

handouts

independent learning

Assignments, support, feedback

Assignment Submission

Good online communication

Peer Support

Bring ‘em in if you have to!

Overview1. Online Live classes

+ recordings

2. Low cost learning resourcesTextbooks, Existing Word, PPT, websites

3. Independent LearningReduced contact, Assignments, support, feedback

4. Communication via Website(LMS/VLE – eg. Moodle)

5. Practical WorkDo whatever is necessary

6. Examination and Accreditation

Why it works.

Familiarity

Simplicity

Why is this approach not more common

?

Influencers and ‘traditions’

• Content– Text - > Multimedia

• High Standards– Planning and Design– Sophistication

• Resulting in:– High start-up costs– Reduced agility

Underestimation of variable costs?

Enrolment level

€

Fees

Instructor led

Multimedia?

Multimedia?

Moving to Online Distance Learning

MultimediaProgressive

Lecturer

DistanceLearning

ODL

Any Questions?