Distance Education - Technologies Used in Delivery

Technologies Used in Delivery

The types of available technologies used in distance education are divided into two groups: synchronous learning and asynchronous learning though the expansion of the Internet blurs these distinctions.

Synchronous learning technology is a mode of delivery where all participants are "present" at the same time. It resembles traditional classroom teaching methods despite the participants being located remotely. It requires a timetable to be organized. Web conferencing, videoconferencing, educational television, Instructional television are examples of synchronous technology, as are direct-broadcast satellite (DBS), internet radio, live streaming, telephone, and web-based VoIP.

The asynchronous learning mode of delivery is where participants access course materials on their own schedule and so is more flexible. Students are not required to be together at the same time. Mail correspondence, which is the oldest form of distance education, is an asynchronous delivery technology and others include message board forums, e-mail, video and audio recordings, print materials, voicemail and fax.

The two methods can be combined in the delivery of one course or even program. Burns (2011) notes that many courses offered by open universitiesThe Open University use periodic sessions of residential or day teaching to supplement the remote teaching. Similarly, open universities use a blend of technologies and a blend of learning modalities (face-to-face, distance and hybrid) all under the rubric of "distance learning."

Other technology methods used in the delivery of distance education include interactive radio instruction (IRI), interactive audio instruction (IAI),online three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds, immersive environments, digital games, webinars, web casts etc. A popular 3D virtual world, active worlds, is used for synchronous and asynchronous learning. Active Worlds provides opportunities for students to work collaboratively.