scholarly journals Exploring Key Components of Successful Distance Learning Programs: A Case Study in Palau

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 519-603
Author(s):  
Tyler Thorne ◽  
Maiya Smith ◽  
Gregory Dever

Introduction: The Pacific faces multiple healthcare crises, including high rates of noncommunicable diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, and susceptibility to natural disasters. These issues are expected to worsen in the coming decades, increasing the burden on an already understaffed healthcare system. Improvements in technology and accessibility have increased telehealth’s utility and have already proven to reduce costs and increase access to care in remote areas. Telehealth includes distance learning; a form of education that can help alleviate many healthcare issues by providing education to healthcare professionals and upskilling staff, which can promote workforce retention and decrease patient mortality. Distance learning programs at the Ministry of Health in the Pacific nation of Palau were examined and key elements to their success were identified. Methods: Thirty-four people, mostly health professionals at the Belau National Hospital in Palau were interviewed. Standardized questions and surveys were conducted in person throughout the month of July 2019. Findings: Two examples of successful distance learning programs were identified. Consulting with staff and analyzing each program, four factors for a successful distance learning program were identified: having a cohort, having a facilitator, dedicated study time off from work, and motivation. Conclusions: In countries as geographically isolated as the Pacific, with poor access to specialists and resources, telehealth has the potential to radically change how healthcare is delivered. Palau shares similar resources and issues as other countries in the Pacific and the lessons learned from their successful programs can be adapted to help other Pacific nations develop their own distance learning programs.

Author(s):  
Faisal Al-Jarrah

This study aimed at overcoming the obstacles of implementing educational leadership standards in the distance learning program in light of Corona pandemic from the school principals’ point of view in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar District / Jordan. To achieve the aims of the study, the researcher purposefully selected the research sample (44 principals) in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar. The descriptive-analytical approach was used. The study emphasized the importance of implementing the educational leadership standards by school principals in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar. Moreover, the study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences at (α ≤ 5.0) between the responses of the study sample in the practice of school principals to the following educational leadership standards: leading the development of the school, the directorate development program, the community school. In addition, the study concluded that the leadership in the educational system is based on standards in the Directorate of Education of the Northern Mazar in the distance learning program according to the Gender variable. The study recommended that the standards of educational leadership should be implemented in distance learning programs, as an advanced technological system, to meet the challenges of the educational process. Keywords: Standards, educational leadership, obstacles, distance education program, school principals


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 36-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michail Kalogiannakis ◽  
Sotiris Touvlatzis

Abstract The effective communication between the learners and the tutor-counsellor has been proved to significantly promote the positive emotions, reduce the negative ones and reinforce the learners’ participation in a distance learning program. The main purpose of our research is to investigate the emotions experienced by the learners of the Hellenic Open University (HOU) and how these emotions may vary through interaction with the tutor-counsellor. In order to carry out the research, a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was implemented. Data collection was performed via an anonymous questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The sample of the research consisted of undergraduate and post-graduate students of the HOU. Our findings confirm the dominant place occupied by emotions in the learning process, a place that has been until recently entirely attributed to reason, while highlighting the communicative and supportive role to be taken by the tutor-counsellor in distance learning programs.


Author(s):  
Lisa Oliver ◽  
Ravisha Mathur

With the increase of global online and distance education programs, it is inevitable that cultural challenges will emerge. These cultural conflicts can be overcome by investigating obstacles with the technical aspects of building a cross-cultural program and by designing and delivering culturally appropriate and sensitive courses. This chapter explores how cultural variables and perspectives might influence student learning in cross-national distance education program collaborations. Specific cultural lessons learned during the development, formation, and administration of an international distance learning Master's program in Instructional Technology are presented. Strategies that were utilized to sustain the program are also discussed. These challenges, lessons, and strategies are framed by current theoretical models that highlight the need for stronger cultural awareness and understanding in this type of collaboration.


2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryl Burgstahler

A study was undertaken to explore program policies and practices related to the accessibility of American distance learning courses to qualified students with disabilities. A literature review was conducted, a draft list of accessibility indicators was created, examples of applications of the indicators in existing distance learning programs were collected, the indicators were systematically applied to one distance learning program, input from a variety of distance learning programs was used to further refine the indicators, and these programs were encouraged to adopt the indicators and make use of resources provided by the project. Results of this exploratory work suggest that incorporating accessibility considerations into policies, procedures and communications of a program requires consideration of the unique needs of students, course designers, instructors and evaluators; involves approval and implementation at a variety of administrative levels; and is an ongoing process that may be implemented in incremental steps.DOI: 10.1080/09687760500479753


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 68
Author(s):  
Fitriani Fitriani

This research was conducted with the aim of knowing the history of learning implementations in class 12 SMA in homeschooling kak Seto who followed distance learning programs. The object of this study is the class of 12 high school student inhomeschooling Kak Seto, which follows the learning program distance learning or distance learning independently at home. This study uses a case study.The research data obtained from the results of observation, interviews and documents related to the matter or object of research. Results from this study showed that children who choose homeschooling distance learning program perform assisted with the teacing of history most of the internet., accompanied by tutors or parent to complete the task of material portofolio, but the result of the evaluation conduced by the tutor/ teacher management homeschooling kak seto child program the average distance learning obtain satisfactory velue.


2004 ◽  
pp. 1-30
Author(s):  
Susan A. Baim

This chapter examines the processes associated with developing new distance learning programs at post-secondary academic institutions that have not previously ventured into the world of online learning. Although the majority of the topics discussed are readily applicable across a wide range of academic subjects, a new distance learning program in business technology serves to illustrate the relevant concepts. Through an exploration of students’ thoughts about the opportunities and concerns involved with online learning, plus a brief overview of distance learning efforts starting with one-way, non-interactive communications and moving toward today’s fast-paced interactive courserooms and multimedia capabilities, organizational challenges and potential trouble spots for new online academic programs are identified and discussed. The knowledge gained from this first-hand experience, combined with an ongoing dialog with online student learners and other university stakeholders, provides a strong foundation on which to build and successfully implement new distance learning programs for undergraduates at the university level.


Author(s):  
Faisal Saleh Freah Aljarrah

The aim of this research is to identify the reality of e-learning in the distance learning program in light of the emerging Corona pandemic "Covid 19" from the viewpoint of students in Jordan between theory and practice. To achieve the goal of the study, the researcher prepared an electronic questionnaire that included (20) items distributed to the research sample electronically. It was confirmed its sincerity and consistency, and it was applied to a random sample from the study community consisting of (1200) students, and the descriptive analytical method was used. An analytical descriptive approach was used, The study concluded the following results: The importance of using e-learning in distance learning programs, the extent of using e-learning in distance learning programs. There are difficulties preventing the use of e-learning in distance learning programs. There were no statistically significant differences at (05.0 ≤ α) between the responses of the sample members of students about the reality of e-learning in distance learning programs due to gender variables. In light of these results, the study recommended encouraging and educating students to take advantage of the e-learning technology in order to facilitate and improve educational learning practice under the current circumstances. And strengthening the positive trend towards employing e-learning technology and benefiting from Arab and international experiences and expertise in the field of employing e-learning technology in distance learning programs.


Author(s):  
James E. Novitzki

The concept of distance learning, where the instructor and student remain geographically separated, has been used for almost 150 years, since Sir Isaac Pitman came up with the idea of delivering instruction through the use of correspondence courses (Phillips-Vicky, 1998). Despite this history, the move toward more open learning has been not much more than a trend, and it is unlikely that a teaching professional from 100 years ago would feel uncomfortable in the classroom of today (Papert,1992). Yet, distance learning and asynchronous learning (ASL) in particular are areas of rapid growth. Morse, Glover, and Travis (1997) conducted a survey of 205 schools in 1994-1995. Of the respondents only 26% were involved in distance learning. Three years later Phillips-Vicky (1998) reported that 180 accredited graduate schools and more than 150 undergraduate colleges and universities were supporting distance learning programs, and most schools surveyed would have some form of distance learning programs available in the next one to two years. Distance learning is still not a mainstream educational method, and few institutions have the knowledge and experience to successfully offer full programs in this format. Even the University of Phoenix, which advertises on-line degrees, has only 7,000 on-line students out of a total student body of more than 53,000 (University of Phoenix, 1999). Considering the large numbers of Web-based distance learning products being marketed and the combinations of features offered, it is a monumental task for a school to make an educated decision on which, if any, of these products can meet their requirements. This chapter has several objectives. First, it discusses significant issues for consideration by any institution planning to develop a Web-based distance learning program and identifies the attributes necessary for effective ASL. Second, it identifies some current development tools and what they provide the instructor to develop and administer a course in an asynchronous format using the World Wide Web. Third, it discusses how some of these Web-based tools were employed in a graduate business program, and how students responded to and used them. Fourth, it ends with general observations about the use of the tools from both faculty and student standpoints and recommendations for institutions planning on moving into ASL distance education using Web-based tools.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 76-90
Author(s):  
Mona Alkhattabi

Today, in association with rapid social and economic changes, there is an increasing level of demand for distance and online learning programs. This study will focus on identifying the main motivational factors for choosing a web-based distance-learning program. Moreover, it will investigate how these factors relate to age, gender, marital status and parenthood. The results are based on a questionnaire, which was conducted amongst students enrolled in the distance-learning programs provided by the E-learning and Distance Education Deanship at Al-Imam Mohammad bin Saud University during the autumn semester of 2013. In addition to their background characteristics, the survey aimed to determine students' motives for undertaking distance learning.


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