LITERATURE REVIEW
2.5. SYNTHESIS OF DEFINITIONS
Literature Review Chapter Two
computer, multimedia communications, or some combination of these with other traditional delivery methods.
2.4.8.7. University of Maryland: Institute for Distance Education
The term distance education represents a variety of educational models that have in common the physical separation of the faculty member and some or all of the students.
2.4.8.8. University of Idaho
At its most basic level, distance education takes place when a teacher and student(s) are separated by physical distance, and technology (i. e. , voice, video, data, and print), often in concert with face-to-face communication, is used to bridge the instructional gap.
2.5.1 . The separation of teacher and learner
It is no surprise to point out that every definition of distance education highlights the separation of the student from the learner or vice versa. All authors on distance education also indicate the most common characteristics that distinguish distance education from conventional face-to face and between oral and group based education. An important point to note is that, the level of separation between the teacher and learner may vary.
Not all distance education relies on complete separation of the student from the teacher. Early forms of Correspondence studies were guilty of total separation.
Correspondence distance education of the present era includes and maintains a balance between separation and direct contact between teacher and student. More often than not the direct interaction between teacher and student takes the form of tutorial group based interaction. The University of South Africa (UNISA) is a good example of correspondence education backed up by tutorials where students are called in at the various regional centres and are met face to face to discuss problem areas and areas of concern in terms of their study units and modules.
The late 1 980s and 1 990s have witnessed the proliferation of new and advanced technologies that bridge the gap between separation of student and teacher. Technology enhanced distance teaching and learning mediums such as Desktop Video Conferencing, Multimedia Conferencing, Hypermedia Conferencing, Telephony, Satellite Conferencing and Digital Video Conferencing have rendered the notion of separation between teacher and student obsolete.
These mediums are rather sophisticated and can generate "real time" interaction between the teacher and student.
D. Govender, D . Ed Thesis:Topic: Alternate Systems of Education (Distance and Virtual): SA Trends. '---_-'
Literature Review
2.5.2. The separation between the learner and learning group
Chapter Two
Up until the late 1 970s, definitions of distance education placed great emphasis on the teaching and learning of individual students viz. individualized education.
Indeed this type of teaching and learning advanced by distance education was right for the times especially if we are to consider that distance education was heavily reliant on print based correspondence studies. By its very nature, correspondence studies was unable to have a wide appeal to group based learners as multiple communications were restricted at the time.
However, the 1 980s brought a marked shift in the thinking behind distance education. Definitions on distance education after the 1 980s began to identify and recognize the role of Video Conferencing; Teleconferencing and Computer Conferencing in-group based learning. Distance education specialists began to down play the notion that distance education was solely based on individualized learning. Modern technologies began to give way to group based learning possibilities and thus distance education was able to fulfill group based learning initiatives.
Keegan ( 1 99 1 ) argues that conventional education was based on face to face interaction where groups of pupils or students gathered at a specific time and place structured by a timetable. However in distance education there was no compulsion on the part of students to engage in-group based learning. Group based learners were doing so voluntarily or in certain instances group based learning never takes place. Thus the flexibility of distance education made it popular amongst students.
It must be stressed that in distance education, there are numerous opportunities where group based learning may occur. The group based learning via chat lines
D. Govender, D . Ed Thesis:Topic: Alternate Systems of Education (Distance and Virtual): SA Trends. l...-_--'
usmg the Internet, Email, Satellite Conferencing, Audio-visual broadcasts (Television and Video) or Hypermedia broadcasts using Digital Computer innovations have all proved that learning via distance can very well result in a group based teaching and learning. Within this scenario, the physical distance between learners and institution has now been voided largely due to the impact of new and ever improving information communications technologies. Technologies such as those listed above (video conferencing, desk top conferencing, two way satellite conferencing, etc) have resulted in cyber -schools, cyber -universities i. e.
institutions of learning that exist in virtual reality. Virtual education is beginning to take root through out the educational landscapes of the world.
There is a strong argument for redefining distance education and thus the researcher proposes the following definition:
There is no distance education . . .. , there is no correspondence education . . .. , there is no independent learning/education, there is only one education.
Education that is universal, education that must cater for life long learning to equip all of mankind to live in harmony and peace and prosper just as equally as others in the world.
Educational delivery can take the format of various modes, and it is these modes of delivery that are important and significant to define and analyse.
Distance education is not inferior education, neither is it informal education. It is education that is part and parcel of various modes that learners wish to pursue due to a host of factors such as location, shortage of institutions in their communities, lack of staff, etc.
D. Govender, D.Ed Thesis:Topic: Alternate Systems of Education (Distance and Virtual): SA Trends. '--_---'
Literature Review Chapter Two
2.6. TECHNOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON THE MODES OF DISTANCE