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The Success of Quality Distance Education*
*The ideas, thoughts, and opinions expressed are not necessarily of the OAS nor of its member states. The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors.
1. Keeping in mind your own experience, context and knowledge about the above topic, what are the conditions that must exist for a quality distance education?
I think that open and distance learning have a special characteristics body, supported in its approach, dynamic and strategic, for this, share the author opinion related to: "being a part of its crew, without having received adequate training" them, we are suppose that is different in the distance learning and used of technologies?, nevertheless, how to know the specific learning needs of teacher?
A level of commitment among the people involved in this process.
Technical-pedagogical mediation that is suitable to the teaching and
learning context. To know, follow and respect the learning process of each participant. To select expert tutors in the each training subject. Rely on learning that uses methods that require interaction among the
participants. To have efficient technical support. Maintain the fundamental idea of the course, and keep the communications
oriented towards relevant topics. Access to alternative sources, in order to promote comparison and debate. Facilitate the relation of theory to practice. Implement strategies that are permanent and continuous (and have an
evaluative element). An atmosphere of ardent and stimulating work. Integrate diversity as a value. Promote individual and group self-assessment to allow for self-sustainability
and growth throughout the process. The institution that offers distance education should include among
its resources a staff of people that fill the various roles necessary
to attend to each potential student in a precise, rapid and personalized
manner. They should possess human resources trained to obtain such results,
administratively as well as technically and pedagogically. The institution that offers this modality must be technologically up-to-date
and constantly updating themselves. I believe that a fundamental factor is the quality of the materials
and texts provided to the students. They must be current, relevant and
interesting. Moreover, the communication tools that are used should be user-friendly
and timely, that is, the time that it takes the tutor to respond should
be minimal and that there should be an open forum that allows students
to interact throughout the course and periodically participate in group
discussions about the topics that come up in these forums. First of all, there has to be an institution of excellence to enhance
and support the project. Next, a high caliber team should be in charge
of the pedagogical and technological design of the project. In addition,
a system of quality control should be established in all phases of the
project. A stable and user-friendly learning platform that includes all the necessary
learning tools. A pedagogical design that adequately meets the students' needs. An ongoing tutoring system with experienced personnel. An evaluation system commensurate with the type of course (continuing
training or for credit).
2. What are your expectations about distance education?
My worried is the tendency to suppose many elements around of thematic, for example: what is a learning environment in open and distance education? What is the idea of environment learning in the teacher? And, why to used the informatics technologies in distance learning and change traditional technologies of this modal educative?
That it serves to lessen functional illiteracy.That it obtains a progressive reach to a greater number of people. My expectations concern: Obtaining the greatest coverage possible of teachers,
managers, administrators, etc. with distance education; above all in those
areas geographically isolated from university centers.Motivating officials and politicians to consider
distance education within the legal frameworks of each region.Offering the possibility of access to distance education
to those sectors that are socially and culturally the most needy.Distance education allowing for the creation of
networks of interchange, communication and research among different cultures
and regions.That it becomes an efficient alternative for receiving training, without
concern for distance or time. My personal expectations are that only trained professionals be involved
in the design and management of these courses.