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Resources for Distance Learning
One of the trends transforming education is Distance Learning. Still in its infancy Internet-wise, this instructional concept offers a variety of ways for teachers and students to interact online to expand their realm of experiences and access to resources beyond the traditional classroom. From projects to telementoring, from virtual classrooms to videoconferencing, both education and business will continue to push these technologies to make the concept evolve. Following is a range of materials, from basic pedagogy and logistics to cutting-edge services and opportunities.
 Blackboard
Free virtual learning environments for teachers! Password protected classrooms with white boards, discussion groups, chat, and the ability to simultaneously look at websites, take quizzes and keep track of grades; perhaps you don't need a virtual space on an ongoing basis, but what about those times you'd like your class to meet online with a content area expert from another part of the country? Check it out!
ClassWise
Innovative software which allows for online instruction wherein the teacher can present PowerPoint presentations and mark the viewing screen while lecturing through an auditory link to all remote students connected using the ClassWise software; students may send text queries to the teacher for live interaction as content is presented, but students can not talk to the teacher orally -- great concept
Consortium for School Networking
Champions K-12 distance learning by promoting well-educated leadership on DL issues, advocating federal policy to promote access to DL for all students, and forging coalitions with other public and private sector entities which can aid in this mission -- a great group for administrative policy makers
Distance Ed
University of Colorado at Denver page touting awesome research on DL as well as a plethora of resources and distance ed providers; if you are just starting to formulate policy or develop a DL program, this is a great page to jump off of
Distance Education: A Primer
University of Texas site developed for the express purpose of introducing the novice to the realm of distance education; covers the technology involved, teacher, student and instructional issues, and model programs in a variety of settings with an emphasis on equality of access
Distance Education and training Council
These guys have been around since 1926, originally monitoring correspondence courses; their function is to be "a clearinghouse of information about the distance study/correspondence field and sponsors a nationally recognized accrediting agency called the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council"
Distance Education Chat and Resources
Interesting concept to bring together those interested in DL for synchronous chat; unfortunately they schedule the chat sessions and attendance has been low so things are slow ... but past chats are archived and there are links to other resources
Distance Education Clearinghouse
University of Wisconsin page offering news, articles, conferences, funding, technologies and a variety of resources -- some pertaining specifically to UW and others open to the larger WWW audience
Distance Learning Resource Network
Part of the U.S. D.O.E. Star Schools Program, with a quick find index for chatting, teleconferencing, web based instruction plus news, publications, research and additional resources
Distance Learning Resources
Text based hotlist of great online resources by site, gopher, newsgroups and mailing lists; it's not exhaustive but what it has to offer is unique
Electronic Emissary
Going strong since 1993, this service out of the University of Texas at Austin offers "a matching service that helps teachers with access to the Internet locate other Internet account-holders who are experts in different disciplines, for purposes of setting up facilitated curriculum-based, electronic exchanges among the teachers, their students, and the experts"
Exploring the World of Telementoring
Webquest designed to actively immerse you in the telementoring experience -- a nice alternative to some of the more text-heavy resources DL has to offer
Hazel's Homepage
My good friend Hazel Jobe's online presence, showcasing her awesome background in videoconferencing and Internet projects; right now she is sponsoring her annual Earth Day Challenge which is (like everything else she does) very worthwhile!
ILINC
Touting LearnLinc as the "next generation in virtual classrooms", ILINC offers online demonstrations of their product for prospective consumers
International Telementor Center
Colorado State university program which advocates "adult mentors can share their experience and expertise, helping students achieve academic excellence in math and science, improve communication skills, and explore career and educational futures"; organizations are asked to sponsor the program through donations and employee participation, students participate at no cost
Journal of Library Services for Distance Education
Focusing on post-secondary distance learning, this online publication offers peer-reviewed articles on all things to do with DL
More about MOOs
Comprehensive listing of multi-user virtual environments (MOOs, MUDs, and MUSH's) which allow participants to interact in real time in a text-based world; if you want to get your feet wet in one of these virtual places this Berkeley site may offer leads you can use
MUDs and MOOs: An Overview
Susquehanna University article on the origins and affordances of Multi-User Dungeons (MUDs) and MUDs that are Object Oriented (MOOs); lots of great information if you're starting at square one
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Department of Commerce site that "works to spur innovation, encourage competition, help create jobs and provide consumers with more choices and better quality telecommunications products and services at lower prices"; lots of info on policies and grant monies for telecommuting
NetMeeting
MicroSoft product which allows groups of participants to dial into the same virtual meeting place and interact in a text based environment using keyboarding and a white board; sound is also available to those with a microphone
Peterson's Distance Learning Channel
Courses, programs, news items and resources all related to distance learning; geared towards HS and College students
Resources for Distance Education
Charles Darling's extensive listing of resources for college and K-12 DL, plus links to publications and resources which can help you get your program off the ground
Teacher Professional Development Institute
TappedIn is a MOO dedicated to online professional development for teachers; a virtual office building full of opportunities to network and learn from peers, the companion newsletter will keep you up to date on all the upcoming events taking place there each month -- I highly recommend this service.....it's free!
TEAMS Distance Learning
K-12 site offering opportunities to use "instructional technologies to access a combination of the best features of time-dependent (synchronous) video-based instruction along with time-independent (asynchronous) computer access to multimedia and the Internet"
Telementoring Over the Net
Margaret Riel's overview of what telementoring has to offer teachers and learners as part of the instructional process; nice examples and plain talk explanations make this an easy read
Telementoring Web
Nice guidelines and easy to search database if you are considering joining in a telementoring experience; great for those who already have some background and are ready to immerse themselves further into the concept
Telementoring Young Women
Started in 1995, this was a three year project funded by EDC/Center for Children & Technology to involve female students in engineering and the sciences through technology; includes Equity/Women's Issues, Careers, Curriculum Resources, Colleges & Universities, Parents & Families and Other Projects
United States Distance Learning Association
Dedicated to promoting DL at all grade levels and in business, this organization offers background and links to what's going on in DL across the country
Using Research to Design Effective Distance Education
Greg Gay's online paper on the theoretical foundation for distance learning; if you are looking for the theoretical underpinnings for developing DL at your school this may be worth your time to digest
Using the World Wide Web to Build Learning Communities in K-12
Northwestern University paper from their School of Education and Social Policy on how students form learning communities online, the efficacy of such distance learning programs, and recommendations for future attempts at DL
Video Conferencing in the Classroom
Wonderful exchange of videoconferencing ideas for K-12 teachers
Videoconferencing Cook Book
Wonderful step-by-step descriptions from the Southeastern Universities Research Association to help you make your efforts in videoconferencing successful; easy to use and highly practical
Videoconferencing for Learning
PacBell's fabulous K-12 site for teachers wanting to launch videoconferencing activities with their children -- a must see not only because of its content but because of its excellent design.
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Resources for writers, editors, designers, and developers of interactive teaching applications.
Please feel free to comment, correct, or contribute, by sending email to
The Editors
Technology for Teleteaching
Development Team:
Robert MacDonald
Kim Alexander
George Kelso
Louise Waterson
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