Distance technologies refer to communication technologies used for distance learning and education, including transmitting information online to large groups. Issues with distance learning include equity, effectiveness, community building, and communication. Learning management systems are software used for educational and business purposes to identify learning gaps and track student performance. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) offer free online courses globally but require digital literacy and self-regulation from participants. Future endeavors may incorporate more immersive virtual reality experiences.

1. DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES
Shonda Robinson

2. DEFINING DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES
• Communication technologies used during distance learning and education.
• Communicates information to large groups of people using the Internet
• Used in business sector as well as education

3. ISSUES SURROUNDING DISTANCE
LEARNING
• Equity
• Effectiveness
• Building a community
• Communication

4. SOCIAL NETWORKING
• Videoconferencing
• Podcasts
• Blogs

5. LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
(LMS)
• A software application that’s used for educational purposes
• Useful in both the education and business sectors
• They are designed to identify learning and training gaps
• Are used to create course content, access and track student performance and give
feedback
• Examples include Blackboard, Sakai and itslearning

6. MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES
(MOOCS)
• Free online courses available to everyone
• Contain traditional course material such as filmed lectures, readings and problem
sets
• Can be interactive with forums allowing interactions between teachers and
students
• Examples include edX

7. ADVANTAGES
• Improved access to higher education
• Affordable
• Flexible schedules
• Allows for online collaboration and communication
• Access for those in rural locations

8. DISADVANTAGES
• Requires digital literacy
• Language barriers
• Quality concerns due to user generated content
• Requires participants to self regulate

9. BARRIERS
• User access to technology
• Acceptance of distance learning
• Language barriers (75% of MOOCs are in English)

10. SOLUTIONS
• Open source course material
• Government initiatives
• Ex. Access Distance Learning Alabama
• Accreditation
• Content developers are developing courses in other popular languages

11. FUTURE ENDEAVORS
• Virtual Reality
• Designed to more closely fit the real world experience
• Provides “hands on” training
• Gives students a sense of presence
• Further develops communication skills