RE: Distance Learning and Copyright

I believe if the truth were shown, instruction whether it be delivered talking head confined within a four wall environment or distance learning, is the issue.

What works is a function of the learner number 1, the environment number 2, the genius of the instructional designers[which most talking head four wall joints never heard of], 3 the learning objective 4. the breadth and depth of the intended audiences 5. the intended use of the materials, and a myraid of other factors.

Remember, the objective is for the learner to learn, not for the instructor to teach.

sterling

On Fri, 3 Jan 2003, Edward Barrow wrote:

> I doubt whether even the most avid proponents of distance learning would
> argue that it is a complete substitute for face to face learning. But it is
> Luddite in the extreme for professors with a vested interest in the status
> quo to dismiss it entirely. (though I am sure Prof Landau's comments are
> well-meant).
> Unlike videotape and traditional correspondence courses, the Internet is
> capable of two-way interaction in real time.
>
> Here in the UK, our Open University has a long and proud tradition of
> making higher education accessible to people whose circumstances otherwise
> prevent them from attending in person. It started using broadcasting and
> the mail; graduated to videotapes, and now uses all of these and the
> Internet.
>
> Similarly, the University of the Highlands and Islands has been established
> to bring higher and further education to people in remote communities in
> the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
>
> Distance learning isn't a threat to Prof. Landau's tenure or his pension;
> but it can bring educational opportunities to many people across the
> world whose circumstances have hitherto excluded them.
>
> But it isn't a pot of gold for cash-strapped universities either.
>
> Edward Barrow
> New Media Copyright Consultant
> http://www.copyweb.co.uk/
> ***Important: see http://www.copyweb.co.uk/email.htm for information
> about the legal status of this email ***
>
>
> On Thursday, January 02, 2003 5:46 PM, Michael Landau
> [SMTP:mlandau[_at_]gsu.edu] wrote:
> >
> > In the age of euphemisms in which the garbageman is a "sanitation
> engineer"
> > and a sales clerk is a "customer service inventory expert" could
> distance
> > learning be the new name for "correspondence school?"
> >
> > Nothing beats face to face contact, especially at a time when people
> spend
> > very little time actually interacting with people in person and nearly
> all
> > of their time in front of computer screens, on cell phones, and in their
> > cars.
> >
> > The technology to allow students to take courses away from school has
> been
> > around for a long time. Why is it that, in the past, very few
> institutions
> > gave their students a pile of videotapes to be watched at home in place
> of a
> > course, with instructions to call or write to the professor with
> querstions?
> > Why, because part of the learning experience is direct communication IN
> > PERSON.
> >
> > The distance learning movement arose at a time when the Internet was
> viewed
> > as something that would forever change every aspect of every person's
> life.
> >
> > With the collapse of almost everything except for Amazon, eBay, and some
> > informational sites, itr should now be realized that the Internet is not
> > the best thing since sliced bread. It is great for some shopping. It is
> > great for quickly ontaining information, but it is not a substitute for
> > most activities, including university education.
> >
> > HAPPY NEW YEAR !
> >
> >
> > Michael Landau
> > Profesor of Law
> > Georgia State University
> > Atlanta, GA 30303
>
Received on Tue Jan 07 2003 - 05:04:58 GMT