Creating
Distance Learning Courses
Lesson One
The Dynamics of Teaching
and Learning at a Distance
Choosing Course Readings
This guide outlines some points to think about when you are considering
using print materials in your distance learning course.
Advantages of Print
Print has several advantages for students. It is extremely portable, cost effective, readily available, and comfortable to use. Students don't need special equipment to use it, and with adequate light, print materials can be used anywhere at anytime. Students can review the materials at their own speed.
Disadvantages of Print
Printed materials also have some disadvantages. Text materials are static, and less appropriate for teaching languages and visual concepts. If you use exclusively print materials, you may find it difficult to interact with students and explain some concepts such as those involving motion. Consider your students' reading and language ability when selecting materials. It may take days or weeks to distribute printed matter, and it may be difficult to update the materials once the class has started. Also students with visual impairments may need the material in another format.
To save time with revising your course in the future, choose texts and readings that will be relevant, current, readable, and available over several years.
If you plan to create a course reader, plan time for securing copyright permissions. If you are unable to obtain permission to use some materials, you will need time to find other material.
A printed course guide is one way to organize the content of the course that you would normally give in your syllabus and explain in person during the first day of class. Use it to provide a course outline, required text and materials, study instructions, assignments, exam preparation tips, suggestions on how to approach the material, and answers to frequently-asked-questions. You can also include information about other media the students will be using.
Course guides are generally print-based; however, here are a few online examples:
You can use a workbook to supplement other course materials or as a self-guided course in itself. A workbook provides real-life examples of many of the techniques, strategies and tactics students will need to master.
You can save yourself time by having your students progress through workbook material at their own pace with little or no assistance or feedback from you. You may provide corrrect answers or criteria for satisfactory responses somewhere in the text so the students can correct their own work. The best workbooks are tied specifically to the course learning objectives and other course materials.
Here are some well-designed electronic examples of workbooks:
Current general interest periodicals such as newspapers and magazines can make excellent supplements to a distance learning course.
Newspapers and magazines are usually easy-to-read and distribute, contain current events, and bridge the gap between academia and the "real" world.Here are some examples of periodical-based coursework and activities:
- Communications C440. Mass Media Law course guide.
- Seattle Times. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lesson compiled from newspaper clips and photos with acompanying online materials.
If you provide
a clean copy of printed materials, the University Libraries will place
selected journal articles, book chapters, class notes, past exams, and
homework solutions online for easy student access.
Find out more.
- Criteria for Choosing Textbooks for External Students, from the WorldBank's Global Distance Education Net.
- Choosing Textbooks or Articles, from the WorldBank's Global Distance Education Net.
- Print in Distance Education, from Engineering Outreach at the University of Idaho's Distance Education at a Glance guides.
Go
on to Assignment 1
