Wk 2d - Brazil Act 10

"Distance educations as a shadow of conventional education"
Personally I've never felt that DL was substandard to f2f learning, perhaps it's my generation, growing up more openly about different educational styles, but I am very aware of the different opinions on it.

I support the MBA programme at Warwick BUsiness School. We run three open MBA programmes - the full time, the executive (parttime) and the distance learning MBA (DLMBA). When I meet potential students around the world (such as last November in Sofia, Bulgaria) I am often asked what will be on their certificate. Their worry is that they do not want it to say MBA by Distance Learning because of the negative opinions of DL that either exist or they perceive to exist in their cultures/elsewhere. We reassure students that the certificate will say the Warwick MBA - only, mainly because so many students choose electives from the different modes of MBA that it becomes a very personalised and hybrid MBA anyway, but initially this decision was taken when the DLMBA began in 1986 when DL probably did have a negative image - but I was too young to know then I'm afraid.

A discussion forum of current students erupted recently when one student seemed to think that it would say Distance Learning on his certificate. The following panic that ensued was interesting. Reassurances from several members of staff and links to our websites later, and it seems to have settled down. but I have no doubt it will continue to be an annual cause for concern.

How can critics of DL be answered? The best way, in my book, is to experience DL or at least be involved closely with people who are studying by DL. As Sharon said, this changed her opinion. We all know, however far we are into the MAODE - H800 as our first or last course, how much hard work it is and will all have renewed respect for the PT/DL students we support.

We always maintain the view here that DL is the hardest way to do the MBA, we do not hide this fact, due to the need for self motivation, the isolation from other students and from their friends and family while they are studying, and discipline and family support and the time it takes, harder assessment processes etc.

"My own views of distance education have been changed by meeting with distance education students and seeing first hand what they are doing and how hard they work to achieve their goals. I obtained my first degree via a conventional 'campus university' sense, and comparing what I did to earn that qualification with what a friend did to earn an OU degree, she definitely worked far harder and over a much longer time than I did. This is certainly one way in which the criticism can be answered - get people to actually understand and see what is involved" Sharon Clark, W2 A9A10 17th February 2009 20.14

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My notes from reading the course notes and article for the Brazil DE benchmarks are here. http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfjp86bs_98hdzvtkfs

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We were asked to think of better definitions of Distance Education. I would say that Eckart really sums it up here. You can also see Anthony's offering below, I'd agree with Eckart's comments.

"Although technology is used in distance education, I can't see why it should be part of the definition. Distance education is simply education in which learner and teacher are not in the same place." Eckart Stoermer, W2 A9A10 19 February 2009 18.35

Anthony Berry, W2 A9A10 18 February 2009 11:19
"A flexible form of teaching/learning environment where a physical and/or time-bound separation exists between the teacher and learner which (separation) is bridged by the use of technology to provide an interactive, accessible, cost-efficient learning experience in both formal and informal learning settings"