Volume 4

11 pages 632 K bytes

Jumping off the Distance Learning Bandwagon: Adding Learning Theory into the Strategy Thomas N. Janicki University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington NC 28403 USA Alan T. Burns DePaul University Chicago, IL 60604 USA

Abstract: Distant education and distant learning has expanded rapidly for two and four year educational institutions since the mid 1990’s. Both synchronous and asynchronous means of delivering ‘learning’ occurs on a daily basis. As these uses grow it is important to recognize the driving forces and future challenges facing distance education for educational institutions. Historically, technology advancements have pushed the educational institutions to new methods of delivery. However the push of technology rarely indicates an optimal strategy for its implementation. Instead strategies must be in place to pull the design and implementation of new technology needed to support the goals of higher education institutions. Especially important is the need to increase learning theories into the delivery of distance learning courses. This paper provides a review of the current and future challenges concerning distance learning for educational institutions include the proper strategic planning for the development of new infrastructures as well as the design, implementation, and delivery of new course materials and new approaches to teaching.

Keywords: distance learning, asynchronous learning, distance education, learning theory, web-based training

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Recommended Citation: Janicki and Burns (2006). Jumping off the Distance Learning Bandwagon: Adding Learning Theory into the Strategy. Information Systems Education Journal, 4 (86). http://isedj.org/4/86/. ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2005: §3123. ISSN: 1542-7382.)