Posted on Nov 1, 2016 in Classroom Management, Technology

Distance Learning: Teaching AP Classes Remotely

Distance education or distance learning is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school. Although the expansion of the Internet blurs the boundaries, distance education technologies are divided into two modes of delivery: synchronous learning and a synchronous learning. We will explore synchronous learning in this video. In synchronous learning, all participants are “present” at the same time. In this regard, it resembles traditional classroom teaching methods despite the participants being located remotely. It requires a timetable to be organized. Web conferencing, videoconferencing, educational television, instructional television are examples of synchronous technology, as are direct-broadcast satellite (DBS), internet radio, live streaming, telephone, and web-based VoIP. (Resource: Wikipedia)

Benefits of Distance Learning

Challenge Younger Students with Higher Level Courses
Exposure to Technology
Travel for Students — Saves the school from having to bus students to another school for special classes.
Better for Some Learners — distance-education courses are often better for people who learn through visual cues and experiential exercises and those that require more time, are language challenged, or introverted.
Availability — Able to offer these opportunities to students who otherwise would not get this experience (at all or at this time in their education. ie middle school students taking high school classes)
Cost Savings for the School District — Saves the school district by having the specialized teacher in one location.

Challenges

Teacher much spend extra time to make sure the students are engaged. — Call on them more than other students and grade classwork are ways to counter this.
Lack of Instructor Face-to-Face Time — At the end of class, go to the screen and have a conversation with each one of the students and Schoology are ways to counter this.
Lack of Social Interaction with students in the physical classroom. — Place vocal and friendly students next to screen who will interact with distance learners and design lessons to encourage cross-communication are ways to counter this.
Lack of Impromptu Study Sessions and Q&A time — Use Schoology to counter this.

Helpful Links

This video was filmed in Caesar Rodney High School and Fred Fifer III Middle School.