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| Types of Delivery Methods in Distance Education | Web (online)
Online courses, also often referred to as Web courses, are usually defined as courses which are offered over the Internet. Basic technology needs are a computer, a Web browser and an Internet connection. Program and course providers will identify the specific technology needs of a specific course (e.g., some courses may require the use of a certain browser version or type of computer). Some, but not all, online courses are offered at 'anytime and anyplace'. This means you and are not limited to traditional semester start and end dates and you can take the course from any location (home, office, etc.) with the proper connections. Other courses may have scheduled meeting times where students and/or instrutors are online at the same time. Many terms are used when referring to online distance education programs and courses. These include: 'e-learning', 'Web-based training (WBT)' or 'Internet courses'. Also there are products (called Course Management Systems or CMS) used to design an online course.
Listservs/Message Boards
Listservs or threaded message boards, allow students to communicate with each other and with the instructor over the Internet. Communication can be as a group or class, between students, or between student and instructor. Only students enrolled in the course can read and send mail. Students are expected to check their mail daily, at a time convenient to them.
E-Mail
E-mail is used as a delivery method for distance learning courses. Instructors can send assignments and post questions for "group discussion" by e-mail.
Videotape
Students are able to watch taped lectures, complete reading and writing assignments, take exams, and perform other activities outlined in the course syllabus. Tests are often administered with supervision at the student's location. Some videotaped courses run concurrently with the on-campus semester. Students receive videotapes of actual on-campus lectures but will be approximately three to four working days behind the on-campus class due to duplicating and mailing time requirements.
CD-ROM
Courses using CD-ROM allow students to access course materials including audio and/or video lectures, text-based documents, spreadsheets, slide shows, Web pages and other documents by using a course-specific CD. To access these courses students will need a computer that meets recommended requirements, an e-mail address, and Internet access.
Audiocassette
Students listen to taped lectures, complete reading and writing assignments, take exams, and perform other activities outlined in the course syllabus. Tests are often administered with supervision at the student's location.
Videoconference
A videoconference is a two-way interactive event where video and audio is simultaneously transmitted to individuals at sites in different locations. A videoconference can be 'point to point' which connects just two sites together, or it can be 'multipoint' where individuals located at many sites can see and hear those at all of the other sites. These virtual classrooms and meetings can take place across the campus or across the world. Videoconferencing is not limited to a single technology, as bridging services allow ISDN, ATM, and/or IP to join together for a single event. IP Videoconferencing (VOIP) requires the use of Internet and a computer which has been specifically set-up for videoconferencing. Satellite delivery is also a form of videoconferencing, but it is not two-way video, in that the program is downlinked to participating locations.
Web Conference
Webconferencing is the combination of using a Web browser for visuals and an audioconference for discussion. Students and instructors can show and receive graphics, draw, type, demonstrate Web sites, share documents and use Web chat. Basic technology needs are a computer, a Web browser, an Internet connection, and a telephone.
Print or Guided Study
Print-based courses, or 'correspondence courses' are perhaps the oldest delivery method for distance education courses, having been available to students and learners for well over 100 years. Print courses are usually delivered via the mail, but some also have email or fax options to enhance communication between student and instructor. The more traditional print courses are provided entirely on paper. Although obviously not 'print', correspondence courses can also be offered via tape, CD, or DVD. These differ from online courses because the need
Blended Learning
Blending Learning can be described as the use of more than one delivery method in a single course. For example, the instructor of an online course may wish to have students meet once a week via an audioconference to discuss the last assignment together; or a videoconference can be combined with multiple media: text and graphics can be transmitted with a document camera; computer graphics, Web sites, and videotapes can be transmitted and viewed by all students.
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