The Internet and Online Instruction (Part I)

The Internet and Online Instruction (Part I)

• The internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks.
• It connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.
• Online instruction uses the internet to deliver education to students who are not physically present in a classroom.

How the Internet Originated

• ARPANET, a networking project by the Pentagon's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), originated the internet.
• The goal was to allow scientists at different locations to share information.
• ARPANET became functional in September 1969.

How the Internet Works

• High-speed connections include DSL, cable modem, fiber optic technology, fixed wireless, Wi-Fi, and satellite modem. These connections are continuously running whenever the computer is on.
• Slow-speed connections include dial-up access, where a modem within a computer uses a standard telephone. Connection must be established each time.

The Internet: Web

• A website is a collection of related web pages.
• Web pages are documents, which are available to individuals connected to the internet.
• The home page is the first page of a website, often offering links to other web pages.
• A podcast is recorded audio stored on a website.
• A blog consists of time-stamped articles.
• A webpage contains text, graphics, audio, video, and links to other webpages.

What is a Web Browser?

• A web browser is a program that allows users to view web pages. Examples include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Safari, and Opera.

12 Basic Types of Websites

• Websites can be categorized or classified into different types based on its content. Examples of website types are portal, news, informational, business/marketing, educational, entertainment, advocacy, wiki, social networks, content aggregators, and personal blogs.

Educational Website

• Educational websites offer formal and informal teaching and learning avenues.
• These websites can include online learning and degrees. Users can also learn skills such as cooking.

Online Learning

• Online learning is delivered via computer and the internet.
• Course work is conducted using electronic forums, discussion groups, external resources, quizzes, social rooms, and online assignments submitted.

2 Types of Online Learning Access

• Open Access: Allows virtually anyone with an internet browser to view the course material. It does not need instructor interaction. Material ranges from specific instructions to university-level courses. It removes barriers to knowledge and allows anyone interested to learn.
• Restricted Access: Limits access to registered students. Courses typically offer instructor interaction and require grades upon completion.

Reasons for the Growth of Online Learning

• Access: Online learning expands opportunities for students with previous limitations. These constraints can be geographical, physical, political, or economic.
• Efficiency: Learning delivery is more efficient.
• Stability: A wider range of subjects and price options are available from diverse institutions and technologies.
• Cost: Online learning reduces costs such as travel and venue hire, associated with classroom-based sessions.
• Technology: A wide combination of synchronous and asynchronous technologies is available.

Skills Students Need

• Personal Skills: Active learning, responsibility for learning, self-discipline, and motivation.
• Literacy Skills: Strong reading and writing skills.
• Study Skills: Time management, motivation, clear expectations, and exam preparation.
• General Computer Skills: Basic computer proficiency (word processing, file management, saving, printing).
• Internet Skills: Bookmarking, saving, printing web pages, web searching, and website evaluation.
• Collaboration: Online forum participation, discussions with other students, and engagement with lecturers.

Distance Education

• Distance education focuses on teaching methods and technologies to deliver instruction to students who are not physically present in a traditional classroom setting.
• It was originally developed to instruct students in remote or rural areas.

History of Distance Education

• Early Methods: Correspondence courses (books and assignments), postal system, and mailed assignments.
• Telephone Systems: Long-distance telephone systems increased the capacity to reach new student populations.
• 1940s-1990s: Advancements in radio, television, and technology allowed for teleconferencing. Computer networks, expanding access and allowing communications in conferences via computers.
• Further Development: Computer conferencing, World Wide Web, file sharing and communications tools like emails, chats, etc.
• Key Components: Separation of teacher and learner; use of educational media; two-way communication; student control of learning pace.

Types of Distance Education

• Synchronous: Requires simultaneous participation of students and the teacher. Examples include interactive teleconferencing, web conferencing, and internet chats.
• Asynchronous: Does not require simultaneous participation. Students choose their learning time frame and interact with materials and teachers according to their schedules, accommodating multiple learning levels, accommodating more flexible learning and time scheduling. Examples include e-mail, audio cassette courses, videotaped courses, correspondence courses, and WWW-based courses.

Major Benefits of Distance Learning

• Expanded Access: Assists in meeting education and training demands. Offers more flexibility to accommodate personal constraints.
• Reduced Capacity Constraints: Uses less institutional infrastructure (such as buildings, etc).
• Catalyst for Institutional Transformation: Acts as a catalyst for competitive delivery of education by catering to marketplace demands and rapid change.
• Equal Opportunity: Provides equal education opportunities regardless of income status, area of residence, gender, race, age, or cost per student.
• Support for Disabilities: Can accommodate students experiencing disabilities, handicaps, or illnesses.

Criticism of Distance Learning

• Obstacles: Students face distractions in their home and personal settings. Program costs, unreliable technology pose significant challenges.
• Communication: Establishing effective and regular contact with teachers/students, and accessing adequate support services can be difficult.
• Training: Students may lack proper training on using technology tools, needed for success.