next generation in distance learning

Next Generation in Next Generation in Distance LearningDistance Learning

Dr. Meri MacLeodDr. Meri MacLeod

Western Theological SeminaryWestern Theological Seminary

Holland Michigan, USAHolland Michigan, USA

Next Generation – 4thNext Generation – 4th

First about Learning – social, interactive, First about Learning – social, interactive, faculty guided, holistic faculty guided, holistic

Learning that matches standards of residential Learning that matches standards of residential outcomes, can in some programs exceed outcomes, can in some programs exceed residential outcomesresidential outcomes

Learning is not reduced for the priority of Learning is not reduced for the priority of access or priority of a new technology access or priority of a new technology

Technology is Technology is transparenttransparent

The most successful technology is not The most successful technology is not only subordinate to learning but is only subordinate to learning but is invisibleinvisible

Effective technologies are transparent so Effective technologies are transparent so faculty and students focus on learningfaculty and students focus on learning

Next GenerationNext Generation

Characterized by:Characterized by: educational excellenceeducational excellence High value for interaction (student to student High value for interaction (student to student

& faculty to students)& faculty to students) Often is a blended format (f2f and online)Often is a blended format (f2f and online) Faculty develop and teach courses their own Faculty develop and teach courses their own

courses, not instructional designers courses, not instructional designers

Next Generation for Next Generation for Theological EducationTheological Education

On campus, online and in ministry On campus, online and in ministry learning are integrated into a whole learning are integrated into a whole programprogram

Personal, spiritual & pastoral formation Personal, spiritual & pastoral formation are integrated are integrated

Librarians are essential to program Librarians are essential to program effectivenesseffectiveness

Blended Distance Blended Distance LearningLearning

Blending periods of on campus and Blending periods of on campus and online allows for the best of the face-to-online allows for the best of the face-to-face time of relationships and community face time of relationships and community with the deepening community and active with the deepening community and active student learning when onlinestudent learning when online

Blended learning captures the Blended learning captures the opportunity for experiential learning of opportunity for experiential learning of being in ministrybeing in ministry

Distance Learning and Distance Learning and LibrariansLibrarians

Encourage faculty to think about how to Encourage faculty to think about how to include the library in their course designinclude the library in their course design

Discover how courses match library Discover how courses match library resources, suggest what students might resources, suggest what students might needneed

Librarians bring Librarians bring

Experience with technology that many Experience with technology that many faculty may not havefaculty may not have

Wisdom regarding best use and criteria Wisdom regarding best use and criteria for selectionfor selection

Access to the end user - learnersAccess to the end user - learners

Librarians bringLibrarians bring

Focus on service and support – one of Focus on service and support – one of the most essential requirements for the most essential requirements for success in distance learning programssuccess in distance learning programs

Strong organization skills – essential for Strong organization skills – essential for faculty when creating new coursesfaculty when creating new courses

Librarians bringLibrarians bring

Capacity for changeCapacity for change

Distance learning requires change in how Distance learning requires change in how faculty and students engage learningfaculty and students engage learning

Librarians areLibrarians are

Leaders – bring vision and energy for the place Leaders – bring vision and energy for the place of appropriate technologyof appropriate technology

Leaders – who will need to model partnership Leaders – who will need to model partnership and creativity, actively bring resources to and creativity, actively bring resources to distance courses and studentsdistance courses and students

Leaders – with technology integration lessons Leaders – with technology integration lessons for distance learning programsfor distance learning programs

Librarians will need toLibrarians will need to

Create new ways for distance students to Create new ways for distance students to think about, remember and reach out to think about, remember and reach out to the library when there is no physical the library when there is no physical space to remind themspace to remind them

Gather regular feedback from distance Gather regular feedback from distance students on their patterns of use and students on their patterns of use and experienceexperience

Criteria for technologiesCriteria for technologies

When choosing new technologies criteria When choosing new technologies criteria to consider are:to consider are: Ease of useEase of use SustainabilitySustainability Adoption – faculty, studentsAdoption – faculty, students Product stabilityProduct stability Support required, providedSupport required, provided Other users feedback and historyOther users feedback and history

Criteria for technologiesCriteria for technologies

Cycles of upgrades, % of down timeCycles of upgrades, % of down time Migration possibilitiesMigration possibilities Indirect costs – staff time, added Indirect costs – staff time, added

hardware or softwarehardware or software Interaction applications as actual or Interaction applications as actual or

potential componentspotential components

Librarians are PioneersLibrarians are Pioneers

Change agents – adapting, envisioningChange agents – adapting, envisioning

Pioneers who can become a Community Pioneers who can become a Community of Practice (CoP) sharing, coaching, of Practice (CoP) sharing, coaching, supporting and modeling partnershipssupporting and modeling partnerships

Tips for SuccessTips for Success

Know your audienceKnow your audience Comfort with technology, what type?Comfort with technology, what type? How much assistance will they need?How much assistance will they need?

Support the change wellSupport the change well Students and faculty need success as Students and faculty need success as

they begin a challenging new shift to learn they begin a challenging new shift to learn apart from traditional school patternsapart from traditional school patterns


Focus on LearningFocus on Learning Distance learning should be committed to Distance learning should be committed to

the same educational goals as the courses the same educational goals as the courses on a campuson a campus

Start slowlyStart slowly Carefully select highly motivated students, Carefully select highly motivated students,

build confidence with successbuild confidence with success


Carefully match technology with the Carefully match technology with the learning goalslearning goals

Often collect feedback from everyone Often collect feedback from everyone involved, make adjustments and assist involved, make adjustments and assist as quickly as possibleas quickly as possible