Higher Education sometimes requires flexibility. Schools are seeing a rise in non-traditional students who may need to work full time while attending school or who may not be able to commit to the traditional college schedule. A Distance learning program allows these students to have the same educational opportunities, but on a schedule that is more convenient for them. A school can have distance learning courses or an entire program. Either way, there is no set formula for building distance education at your school, but there are a few elements that can help you get there.
Telepresence or Videoconferencing
Having a telepresence or videoconferencing system allows a school to bring in a speaker or to connect employees at different company locations for meetings or training. Interactions take place in real-time and provide the experience of actually being there. Most systems consist of a video codec, a high-definition screen, a camera and an audio component. These systems range in size. Some are designed to be permanently installed in a room while others can be used via a simple desktop screen and the computer’s built-in camera and microphone. Still other systems are built to be mobile and can be wheeled from room to room in a cart.
Web conferencing is another similar distance learning tool. Products like Cisco’s WebEx, Microsoft Live Meeting or Adobe Connect provide video conferencing opportunities via Internet. These solutions do not require additional hardware or equipment like traditional videoconferencing systems.
Learning Management System
A learning management system (LMS) is vital to distance learning. It allows the user to design and deliver content. For example, schools can use an LMS to create an online history course. Students log in to the system and all course material, including e-books, videos, assignments, etc., are located right there. An LMS also allows for built-in assessments. Professors can create quizzes to provide employees with feedback on their progress in a particular class. There are many learning management systems out there. The most popular are Blackboard and Moodle. Blackboard also allows for Web conferencing with Blackboard Collaborate. This allows professors to hold office hours or for students to collaborate face-to-face in real-time
Lecture Capture
Lecture capture is an easy first step into the world of online learning. There are a variety of solutions to choose from whether you’re looking for a solution that is equipment-based, software based, or cloud-based. All lecture capture solutions rely on a camera and microphone to capture both the video and audio of a presentation or speaker, but the products vary in size. Some are meant to be permanently installed in a room, while others can be used on a mobile device. For example, the Crestron Capture HD includes an HD recorder and remote asset management software, while Tegrity is cloud-based and only requires a laptop and a camera. The recorded videos can then be posted to a school’s LMS or website.
The success of distance learning depends largely on the course you design. Online learning is meant to be convenient so navigating your LMS or school website should be simple. It may be helpful to record a short video that explains how your LMS works and how to access basic elements like guides and videos necessary for completing the course. This will eliminate the need for IT staff to answer basic how-to questions and may put less technologically savvy professors and students at ease.
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