EDUC 209:

INSTRUCTINAL TECHNOLOGY
MODULE 4: Distance Education/ICT In Education

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THE PLACE OF INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN DISTANCE
EDUCATION

Course Content
Objectives
Introduction
A-The Meaning of Distance Education/Distance Learning
 Open Learning
 Flexible Learning
 e-Learning
B-ICT and Teacher Education in Nigeria
C-Common Media in Distance Learning
 Broadcast Radio
 Television
 Videotape
Conclusion
Summary 2
OBJECTIVES

After reading through this unit, you should be able to:

A-Explain the terms distance education and distance

learning:
B-Explain the following;
 Open Learning
 Flexible Learning
 e-Learning
C- Explain the advantages of infusing ICT into teacher
education
programme in Nigeria
C-Explain the following common media in distance
learning
 Broadcast Radio
 Television
 Videotape. 3
INTRODUCTION

A modern text on educational technology is expected to

devote attention to the treatment of the place of information
and communication technologies (ICTs) on distance education.
The reason for this is not unconnected with the fact that
distance education is gaining the attention of countries all
over the world and the propelling force behind its success is
directly connected with the use of the different available
information communication technologies. It is therefore
important for us to consider what distance learning is and the
use of communication technology in its operation.

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The Meaning of Distance Education (DE)

Distance education has become the popular term to

describe learning via telecommunications. The term
telecommunications is used here to embrace a wide
variety of media configurations, including radio,
telephone and television (broadcast, cable and satellite)
{Heinich, Molenva Russell, Smuldina (2002)}.
Distance education therefore is used as a general term
to describe whatever form of education that is received
without the direct presence of the teacher, but usually
with the aid of one or a combination of instructional
media. According to the University/ College library URL:
[Link] distance
education / distance learning refers to the teaching-
learning arrangement in which the learner and the
teacher are separated by geography and time.
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 The Meaning of Distance Education (Count.)

According to Greenberg (1998), distance education is a

planned teaching / learning experience that uses
technologies to reach learners interactions and certification
of learning. Teaster and Blieszer (1999) were of the view that
distance education has been applied to many institutional
methods, however its primary distinction is that the teacher
and the learner are separated in space and possible time.

The acceptance of distance education as an effective

means through which high quality education can be provided
has generated a wide range of some terminologies which you
may need to know at least a little about. Such terminologies
include: open learning, flexible learning, e-learning among
others. Don’t worry if you are a bit confused, attempt shall
be made to differentiate the difference among the three
terms. 6
Distance Learning

In most literature, both terms – Distance Education and

Distance Learning are used synonymously. However, a little
distinction can be made. Distance Learning is any form of
studying undertaken through the use of any of the indirect
media of imparting knowledge (Ojo,1986). These media,
unlike the direct medium of face-to-face teaching include
printed matters, broadcast materials, programmed materials
and self-instructional materials.

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Open Learning

Open learning has its root in the philosophy of education as

enunciated by many nations of the world especially those
nations whose concern for equalization of educational
opportunities is considered paramount. To these countries, all
barriers to making all and sundry receive education must be
removed. In other words, education must be made available to
all irrespective of such factors as gender, race, religion, social
and economic status, geography, occupation, age, working or
non-working class etc.

Therefore, Open Learning is a solution provider. Solution

provider in the sense that it is planned deliberately to serve the
mass of the people by making it possible for the individual
irrespective of their weaknesses to acquire yet high quality and
affordable education. The idea of opening up access to larger
proportion is that access to educational and learning 8
opportunities can no longer be regarded as a matter of
Open Learning (Count.)

According to UNESCO (2002), the term Open and

Distance Learning reflects both the fact that all or most of
the teaching is conducted by someone removed in time and
space from the learner and that the mission aims to include
greater dimensions of openness and flexibility whether in
terms of access, curriculum or other elements of structure: A
few of the universities all over the world operate with the
name Open Universities.

The famous United Kingdom Open University (UKOU) is a

good example. In Nigeria, we have the National Open
University of Nigeria (NOUN). Others include: Indira Ghandi
Open University (IGNOU) and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open
University (BRAOU) in India, University of South Africa
(UNISA) to mention just a few.
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Flexible Learning
This term refers to the nature of distance and open
education with special reference to its adaptability
characteristic. In its approach, it is learner-centred, learner-
friendly and learner committed. Because of this, it attempts to
build into its operation some degree of flexibility with the sole
purpose of satisfying the aspirations of the learners who are
regarded as very special in many respects. Some of the learners
are adult members of the community who have perhaps lost
hope of acquiring education, some are working class who may
need to go to work and at the same time study and struggle to
complete their programmes, some come from educationally
disadvantaged areas, some are self-sponsored, some are
married while some suffer one kind of setback or the other.
In most open and distance learning institutions, flexibility
principles are deliberately built into the system. These are
noticed in such aspects like: adoption of multimedia approach
to instructional delivery, extension of period of completion of
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programmes to almost double what operates in conventional
e-Learning
This term has been variously defined. It is defined as
learning using electronic means. It is also regarded as the
acquisition of knowledge and skill using electronic
technologies such as computer and internet-based courseware
and local and wide area networks. It is a new form of teaching
device by which students, most especially the distant learners
are provided access to the learning materials. e-learning is
usually associated with the use of computers but generally, it
is a form of instructional delivery which can be provided
through any appropriate electronic media such as the mobile
phone, television, radio, etc. e-learning is of two major forms.
One is called synchronous and the other is called
asynchronous.
The synchronous form is so-called because of its
comprehensive features that allow for interactivity between
the learning content and the learners. It has in-built features
like the forum chatting, audio-effect. In distance learning,
students are separated from the teacher, therefore, 11
synchronous form of e-learning aims at providing multi-outlet
ICT and Teacher Education in Nigeria
Teacher Education in Nigeria has undergone many
changes ranging from its earliest time of predominant use of
chalk and talk to the integration of the new ICT facilities. As
of now ICT has been integrated into the planning and
classroom teaching in the Country. The reasons for the
integration of ICT in Teacher Education programme are not
far fetched. Ajayi (2001) opines that the new ICT facilities
could allow teachers and lecturers to move into the roles of
guides and facilitators assisting students to gain skills
required to acquire and utilize knowledge available in
various forms all over the world.

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 Some advantages of infusing ICT into teacher
education programme in Nigeria include the following;

- Facilitating an increase in teacher turn over especially in

disciplines where there is
lack e.g. Mathematics, Sciences, English Language etc.
- Enhancing the quality of teacher education by exposing
pre-service and in-service
teachers to resources and information beyond their
immediate horizon.
- Limiting or eliminating the requirement for building large
classrooms, laboratories
and libraries.
- Easy adoption by bodies responsible for teacher education
like the National
Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Colleges of Education, Faculties
or Institutes of
Education in Universities and School of Education 13in
National Open University of
Common Media in Distance Learning:
Distance learning is media-driven. It has been established
from the various ways by which open distance learning is
being run that educational technology has some vital roles to
play. The role of educational technology in the operation of
Open Distance Learning runs through the administration and
management of the distance learning institutions to such
aspects as instructional delivery, course material design and
development, conduct of examinations, learner support
services, library, etc. With this wide range of areas, it
becomes obvious to focus our attention to the instructional
aspects for now. Therefore, we shall consider the following
media as they appeal to open and distance learning. We like to
point your attention to the fact that you should have
experienced some of these media in your study.

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 Broadcast Radio
The radio is a powerful and effective medium through
which the audience and in this wise, the distant learners can
be reached. Radio can mean two things: radio broadcasting,
primarily for direct consumption; or recordings of radio
broadcasts to be stored and used in much the same way as
audio material, which has been put directly on to cassettes by
the producer without the intervention of broadcasting. Radio
broadcasting allows for one-way of passing information
across to the audience. However, it allows for some degree of
interactivity by using printed materials to accompany the
programmes and requiring learners to send responses back
to the radio teacher. Some programmes provide a telephone
number for the students to contact the radio teacher /
facilitator.

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Advantages of the Radio in Distance Education

- The radio is a powerful and effective medium which the

distance learners can be reached all over the world.
- Radio is less expensive devices almost every house has a
radio devices,
- the teacher can use the radio to reached the audience,
- and the audience and listen and easily recording the
lesson
- it allow thousand of audience to participate during the
programme
- and the teacher can provide the phone number to the
audience at the beginning of the programme to allow the
audience to ask questions

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Television

The television is another major medium through which distance

education can be provided with remarkable effectiveness. The
television is yet another powerful mode of instructional
delivery with audio and video effects provided together.
Through the use of the television, we now have pockets of
universities around the world that do provide distance
education.

Television has gained a tremendous acceptance all over the

world. Except in few remote part of the world, it is found in
almost every household. Because of this, the television as a
means of providing distance learning gives distant learners the
advantage of easy access to the information. Thus, all learners
who wish to benefit from home-study television can do so

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Educational Benefits of the Television to Distance
Education

- the programmes can carry essential teaching material since

all students should be
able to access the broadcast;

- broadcast programmes publicise the educational

opportunities offered by a
distance education system, hence boosting recruitment;

- the programmes, busing the attractive and interesting forms

of presentation
common to television production, increase motivation and
interest in students
who are otherwise generally working in isolation; and

- they add to the cultural milieu by offering alternative

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programming for the
Video Tapes
Video tapes are a comparatively recent and are still evolving
medium especially in distance learning. Video tapes are like
broadcast television in that they combine moving pictures with
sound. But unlike the television, they can be viewed in ways
which are independent of predetermined transmission times.
Advantages of the video tapes in distance learning:
The videotapes have some advantages over the television
broadcast as means of offering distance learning. Among the
various advantages are:

· Students can watch or view the recorded video lessons when

they want and as often as they like.

· It allows for flexibility in terms of control. Students can adjust

the pace of the learning material to an individually appropriate
level. Students can replay sections that move too quickly or by
skimming forward over sections that are too slow.
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Conclusion
In this unit, we have been able to define such terms like
distance education, open learning and e-learning among
others. We have also in our discussion provided some media
which have direct applications to effective provision of distance
education. Attempts were made to highlight both the
advantages of each of the media like the radio, the television
and Video tape.

Summary
The unit has further enriched your knowledge of educational
technology as an indisputable discipline that is not only eclectic
in nature but has the potentials to effectively shaped distance
education. In fact, you must have realised that the removal of
the term “distance” in distance education relies almost sorely
in the products of technology which are to be applied through
the use of the principles and theories in the educational
technology. 20
 Thank you

May Almighty God Bless

you all, amen.
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