Abstract
Distance education involves a wide range of elements, including students, instructors, institutions, classroom technology, state agencies and accrediting boards. The educational process model provides a conceptual framework to integrate these diverse elements. The following discussion begins with a brief background on the systems and communication basis of the new model. Then it elaborates the model’s elements, including the inputs (resources and philosophy), purpose (intentions and audiences), methods (technological genre and educational process); integration (pedagogy); outputs (product and interpretation); and assessment (institutional and research).
TopBackground On Comprehensive Models
While distance education has expanded rapidly over the past few decades, academic study is just beginning to address this phenomenon. To organize research, Shih et al. suggest a starting point based on recent history (2003). Watkins and Schlosser examine the educational foundation of such research, defining guidelines for the alternative research approaches (2003). Lihua and Smaldino use instructional design elements as a means of organizing research in distance processes (2003). Toward a comprehensive model, Willis and Locke outline a pragmatic design model (2004). However, these approaches lack a comprehensive means of integrating the elements of distance education. Although Chien et al. present a “model-based system” for distance education, their model serves as a template for course development rather than a comprehensive system.
The Educational Process Model integrates theoretical, research and practice in distance education by creating a new model that begins with a basic systems model (Figure 1).
With distance education as a human communication process, the new model builds on the Rhetorical Process Model, shown in Figure 2.
The Rhetorical Process Model divides the systems model horizontally into subjective and objective domains (Beck, 1999). It also elaborates the process into purpose (intentions and audience) and method (genre and process). These elaborations convert a mechanical basic system into a purposive human process.
TopEducational Process Model
Building on the Rhetorical Process, the Educational Process Model consists of inputs, an integrative process, outputs and feedback. The objective process includes resources, method and experiences; the subjective process involves philosophy, purpose and outcomes. The integration elements of purpose and method further divide: objectives and audiences; and instructional technology and methodology. These four integration elements form interactive rather than linear processes, with pedagogy as the integrative center. The Educational Process Model appears in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Educational process model
TopThe inputs to the educational process include the objective element of resources and the subjective element of educational philosophy. Delivering education-based, diverse student needs involves the broader approach in delivery, the physical and training needs of the new enterprise, and the faculty philosophy of distance learning.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Pedagogy: The work of a teacher; the art and science of teaching; instructional methods and strategies.
Education Process Model: A basic system’s model, which consists of resources and philosophy as inputs; an integrative process of objectives, methodology, audiences and instructional technology; the outputs of outcomes and experiences; and assessment feedback.
Assessment Tools: Methods used to obtain information about student learning to guide a variety of educational strategies and decisions.
Distance Education: A formal educational process in which instruction occurs when student and instructor are separated by geographic distance or by time. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. Distance education may employ correspondence study or audio, video or computer technologies.
Active Learning Techniques: Techniques where students do more than simply listen to a lecture. Students are doing something, including discovering, processing and applying information. Active learning derives from two basic assumptions: (1) learning is by nature an active endeavor, and (2) different people learn in different ways.
Tutorial Functions: Program used to help students gain and/or refresh understanding of general principles and basic ideas, available in computer format on educator’s Web site.
“Virtual” University: An online learning community or environment in which distance education takes place through courses and instructional programs offered on the Internet and other technologically enhanced media.