Designing Instruction for Distance Learning

摘要

The requirement to keep pace with the rapid advance of technology and the associated explosive growth of knowledge in every field, coupled with frequent employee turnover, has placed increased pressure on the training and education fields to meet the demand. Emerging communication technologies have enabled alternative methods for delivering training via distance learning that are being rapidly adopted by academia and industry. While distance learning has been demonstrated to be an effective and efficient tool for increased access it also requires greater emphasis on instructional design and instructor training to obtain satisfactory results. Based on a growing body of literature and actual field experience with alternative delivery methods, specific guidelines for designing and developing distance learning courses are recommended. The new communication technologies offer an exciting opportunity to educators and trainers for creating radical new learning environments that take optimal advantage of the new capabilities contained in the computer and communication technologies. In addition, a new model is proposed that integrates the behaviorist and constructivist approach to acquiring knowledge.