learning can be a long shot a comparison of distance education in and

Learning Can Be a Long ShotLearning Can Be a Long ShotA Comparison of Distance Education in

And

FFT February 2004 2

OutlineOutline

• I. How it all Happened

• II. Country Facts

• III. Web-based Learning Skills

• IV. Course Descriptions & Dates (3)

• V. Student Feedback & Differences

• VI. Conclusions

• VII. Slide Show

• VIII. Your thoughts

FFT February 2004 3

I. How it HappenedI. How it Happened

• Sabbatical• Perused Fulbright Grants Page• Opening in Nepal• Received research/teaching grant for Nepal

• 5 months: August – December

• Sent email to the President of University of Iceland

• U. of Iceland offered an instructor position for Jan – May

• Applied for Senior Scholar Fulbright to Nepal for June and July

FFT February 2004 4

Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 10:59:52 -0800 (PST)From: Jeff Riskin <[email protected]>To: Karen Lemone <[email protected]>Subject: Nepal

Hi, Karen,

I don't like what I'm hearing in the news today; 127police & soldiers killed by rebels in Nepal. Ongoingviolence, etc, etc. Several stories can be accessedat Yahoo.com and/or your favorite news site.

Why Nepal?!?!?! For this, you could go to Israel andbe warm before you get blown up or Pakistan, climbsome mountains and then get kidnapped! If you want togo far away, you'd love Australia; you might even getvisitors.

Cheers,Jeff

FFT February 2004 5

II. Country FactsII. Country Facts

• http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook• http://www.worldfactsandfigures.com/

countries

FFT February 2004 6

Nepal: Nepal: Slightly Larger than Arkansas

Iceland: Iceland: Slightly Smaller than Kentucky

U.S.A: U.S.A: …

Country Facts: SIZECountry Facts: SIZE

FFT February 2004 7

Nepal: Nepal: 26.5 Million

Iceland: Iceland: 280 Thousand

U.S.A: U.S.A: 290 Million

Country Facts: PopulationCountry Facts: Population

FFT February 2004 8

Nepal: Nepal: Sub-Tropical

Severe Winters

Iceland: Iceland: Temperate

U.S.A: U.S.A: Mostly Moderate

Country Facts: ClimateCountry Facts: Climate

FFT February 2004 9

Nepal: Nepal: None - Landlocked

Iceland: Iceland: Sealocked!

U.S.A: U.S.A: Coastlines

Country Facts:Country Facts: Maritime Maritime

FFT February 2004 10

Nepal:Nepal: 70 m 8850 m

Iceland:Iceland: 0 2119 m

U.S.A:U.S.A: -86 m 6194 m

Country Facts:Country Facts: Elevation Extremes Elevation Extremes


Nepal:Nepal: Quartz, H20, Hydropower, Timber, Beauty

Iceland:Iceland: Fish, Hydropower, Geothermal Power

U.S.A:U.S.A: …

Country Facts:Country Facts: Natural Resources Natural Resources


Nepal:Nepal: Thunderstorms, Flooding, Landslides, Earthquakes, Maoist Terrorists

Iceland:Iceland: Earthquakes, Volcanoes

U.S.A:U.S.A: …

Country Facts:Country Facts: Hazards Hazards


Nepal:Nepal: Deforestation, Contaminated water, Vehicular Emissons

Iceland:Iceland: Water Pollution?, Inadequate Wastewater Treatment?

U.S.A:U.S.A: Air Pollution, Water Pollution…

Current Environmental IssuesCurrent Environmental Issues


Nepal:Nepal: 59 (Women: 58)

Iceland:Iceland: 80

U.S.A:U.S.A: 77

Country Facts:Country Facts: Life Expectancy Life Expectancy


Nepal:Nepal: 71

Iceland:Iceland: 3.5

U.S.A:U.S.A: 7

Infant Mortalities/1000 BirthsInfant Mortalities/1000 Births


Nepal:Nepal: Males: 41 % Females: 14 %

Iceland:Iceland: 100%

U.S.A:U.S.A: 97%

Literacy (15+ can read)Literacy (15+ can read)


Nepal:Nepal: One of the poorest, least-developed in the world

Iceland:Iceland: Capitalistic; Huge welfare system

U.S.A:U.S.A: …

Country Facts:Country Facts: Economy Economy


Nepal:Nepal: Tourism, Carpets, Textiles, Rice

Iceland:Iceland: Fish, Aluminum, Tourism

U.S.A:U.S.A: Industrial

Country Facts:Country Facts: Industries Industries


Nepal:Nepal: 47 %

Iceland:Iceland: 3 %

U.S.A:U.S.A: 6 %

Country Facts:Country Facts: Unemployment Unemployment


Nepal:Nepal: Poor; Few cell phones

Iceland:Iceland: Extensive, 248 thousand cell phones

U.S.A:U.S.A: …

Country Facts:Country Facts: Telephone System Telephone System


Nepal:Nepal: None (58 km narrow gauge)

Iceland:Iceland: None

U.S.A:U.S.A: …

Country Facts:Country Facts: Railways Railways


Nepal:Nepal: 35,000

Iceland:Iceland: 144,000

U.S.A:U.S.A: 148 million

Country Facts:Country Facts: Internet Users Internet Users


III. Web-based Learning Background III. Web-based Learning Background 11

• Charles Wedemeyer• 1960ish• Favored Independent Study

over traditional correspondence study

• Democracy in Education• Poor, Handicapped,

Geographically Isolated

• Learning Centers• New Technologies• Adult and Continuing Education

• Ideas formed Basis for founding of British Open University


Web-based Learning Background Web-based Learning Background 22

Theory of Transactional Distance

Definition: Transactional Distance: Space of Potential Misunderstanding between the inputs of the instructor & those of the learner• Michael Moore & Greg Kearsley• Notion of geographical distance could be bridged using

Technology• Both parties must seek to overcome communication gap

• Three Variables1. Interaction or Dialog

• Little interaction increased transactional distancw

2. Course Structure and Layout• Need balance between “too little” and “too much”

3. Learner Autonomy• Student’s ability to direct learning without instructor supervision or

intervention• More autonomy needed for larger transactional distance



• Insung Jung’s Theory on Web-based Instruction• Emphasize Pedagogy, not Technology• Communication

• Between students and instructors• Between groups• Between individuals in class

• Student Learning• Learning autonomy, but with student interactions• Both parties must seek to overcome communication gap

• The Instructor• Encourage student communications• Stimulate interest in subject matter• Visual Factors important• Content expandable, adaptable



• Power Distance• Acceptance of unequal

distribution of power

• Uncertainty Avoidance• Degree of tolerance for deviation

from the norm

• Individualism• Includes gender equality

• Maculinity• Assertiveness, materialism, self-

centeredness• As opposed to:

interdependence, quality of life, service

• Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Differences Model


IV. Course Descriptions & DatesIV. Course Descriptions & Dates

Audience : GradsCourse : CompilersMode : First 8 weeks in class; last 6 by

distance learningTime Frame : October, 2002 –December 2003

Audience : Undergrads & Grads

Course : Web programming

Mode : ½ in-class ½ by distance learning

Time Frame : January, 2003 – May 2003


Courses (continued)Courses (continued)

Audience : GradsCourse : Web ProgrammingMode : In-class Time Frame : June – July, 2003

Audience : GradsCourse : Web ProgrammingMode : Distance - LearningTime Frame : June – July, 2003

Audience : UndergraduatesCourse : Web ProgrammingMode : Intensive (everyday, 5+ hrs)

First 2 weeks in class; Last 2 by distance learning

Time Frame : July, 2003

NEPALNEPAL

NEPALNEPAL

Essentially, the Essentially, the same coursesame course


Nepal Grads: Nepal Grads: Compiler CourseCompiler Course

• Small Class

• Background and Skills: Poor

• Attitude: Good

• Study Skills: Poor

• Grades: Poor

In-Class1: Oct. – DecDistance learning: Jan. – Feb.

1. Except for “bandh’s”


Nepal Grads: Nepal Grads: Compiler Course Compiler Course (contd..)(contd..)

• Difficult to Teach

• Failing Grades

• Inability to work Independently

• Cheating

• Introduced them to Course Management System (Bulletin Board)



• Most submitted identical work

• Most submitted poor work

• Unable to continue the programming project

• Group Postings!



• Final Exam On-line

• Department Chair Proctored• He let them cheat

• Most failed

• Grades: 1 A, 1 B, Rest C’s


V. Student Feedback & DifferencesV. Student Feedback & Differences

Nepali Grads – Compiler CourseQuestionnaire Results

Was This Course Appropriate to your

Career Goals?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Yes No

Series1

Did you have the Necessary

Background?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Yes No

Series1


Feedback & Differences (contd..)Feedback & Differences (contd..)


Did you like the material in the course?

012345678

Yes No

Which part of the course did you like

best

0

2

4

6

8

10

In-Class Distance learning




Would you take a web-based distance learning course again?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Yes No

Would you have gotten a better grade

without distance learning?

012345678

Yes No




• Other:• Liked the web-based material• Also wanted a text• Distance Learning Important for Nepal

• They said: No Cultural Issues (!)


Online Behavioral DifferencesOnline Behavioral Differences

• At first, no bulletin board postings• They weren’t reading mine either

• Posted as a group to the course bulletin board

• See following email

• Online content came from a published book• But since online, not considered adequate


Date: Wed, 18 Dec 2002 13:50:07 +0545

From: Rajesh Lal Nyachhyon <[email protected]>To: [email protected]: lex file (rajesh)Parts/Attachments: 1 Shown 17 lines Text 2 OK 35 lines Text----------------------------------------

Dear Karen Madam, I have saved the lex file in the Notepad....I did tried to saveThe input & outputs, but I couldn't.Looking forward to hear from you very soon.LoveRajesh.


Online Behavioral DifferencesOnline Behavioral Differences

• They did check grades constantly!

• For distance learning part, 1, maybe 2 people did the assignments. Everyone else signed their name.

• Unable to go out on the web to clarify material


IcelandIceland

• Large Class: 75 students

• Easy, but unresponsive to teach• Rarely Posted to BB

• Wide Age Range

• Good backgrounds

• (Too?) Independent

• Little Cheating

• Some worked hard, some didn’t

Audience : Undergrads & GradsCourse : Web ProgrammingMode : ½ in-class

½ by distance learning Time Frame : January, 2003 – May 2003 at 8 a.m.!


Iceland ResultsIceland Results

• 1/6 failed course

• Many Low grades

• In-class students did slightly better than Distance Learners

• Most liked course

• Most would take a Distance Learning Course (again)

• Prided themselves on “Independence”


IV & V again: IV & V again: Back to NepalBack to Nepal

Audience : Same GradsCourse : Web ProgrammingMode : In-class Time Frame : June – July, 2003

Audience : 3rd year UndergraduatesCourse : Web ProgrammingMode : Intensive (everyday, 5+ hrs)

First 2 weeks in class; Last 2 by distance learning

Time Frame : July, 2003

NEPALNEPAL

NEPALNEPAL

Essentially, the Essentially, the same coursesame course

Audience : WPI Grads (couple undergrads)Course : Web ProgrammingMode : Distance - LearningTime Frame : June – July, 2003


Pre-QuestionnairePre-Questionnaire

WPI Students: Knew some or all of the materialNepali Grad Students: Knew none of the material

WPI Students: Planned to spend an average of ~12 hours/weekNepali Grad Students: Planned to spend an average of ~6 hours/week

WPI Students: 2/14 had done distance learningNepali Grad Students: 6/9 claimed not to have done distance learning!


If Wishes were Horses…If Wishes were Horses…

• Course: Programming + Project + Homeworks

• I wanted the (Grad) Nepalis and the US students to work together.

• Didn’t happen although they shared the Bulletin Board & Chat Room…


ResultsResults• US students mostly did well (A’s and B’s, 1 C, 1 Inc.)

• Some excellent Projects• Appropriate Technology• Varying levels of Adaptive• No Cheating on Final?

• Nepali grad students: Some did visually attractive projects• Little Technology• Only 1/9 did the Adaptive Part• Two students plagiarized on project• Did Poorly on Final

• Nepali Undergrads:• Okay Projects• Okay Final (online, but proctored)• No major Issues


QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

• US students • Mostly Content• Most (but not all) would take another distance learning course• Average Time Spent: 15+ hours/week

• Nepali grad students:• Some didn’t think course appropriate to career goals• Think distance learning important for Nepal• Spent 10+ hours/week

• Nepali Undergrads:• Similar answers to grads


VI. My ConclusionsVI. My Conclusions• U.S.

• Distance Learning appropriate for many learning styles• Instructor must use communication tools• Theoretical Material must be animated for understanding

• Iceland• Distance Learning appropriate for culture• Lack of communication skills impedes using tools

• Nepali Grad students:• School needs to address attitude problem• Instructor must be aware of cultural issues• May not be appropriate for current generation• Lack of Independence impedes web-based learning

• Nepali Undergrads:• ???

learning can be a long shot a comparison of distance education in and

Documents

beauty iceland

arkansas iceland

landlocked iceland

world iceland

temperate u

volcanoes u

kentucky u

jeff slide