About Book

Distance education is a modern system of non-formal education. It is imparted through correspondence or postal courses, contact, electronics media like internet, radio, television, video and audio cassettes etc. and other audio - visual aids. Distance education is the method of learning at one's own pace in one's own time, without the boundaries of the formal class room and without the formal presence of the teacher. Distance education is the theme of great interest as it plays a very important part in many societies. On the other hand, the rapid development of computer discipline has substantial effects on education, both at the educational content and methods of education. Distance education opens endless possibilities in the fields of education and training. From webinars to videoconferencing, from fully online courses to shorter learning segments, distance education is happening in every corner of the world. This book covers concepts and principles of distance learning and the theoretical underpinnings of the field. It focuses on e-learning in distance education, higher education, teacher development, engineering education, sub-educational sector and virtual reality. This book elucidates new techniques and applications of distance education in a multidisciplinary approach. It unfolds the innovative aspects of this area which will be crucial for the holistic understanding of the subject matter. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book invaluable source of knowledge. This book is a complete source of knowledge on the present status of this important field.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Distance Learning in Higher Education .....................................................................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................1

2. Method....................................................................................................2

3. Conclusion............................................................................................13

Chapter 2 Virtual Reality Technology as an Didactical and Pedagogical Resource in Distance Education for Professional Training...........18

1. Introduction..........................................................................................18

2. Pedagogical or technological reference:

Which one is more powerful? .........................................................21

3. The technology of Virtual Reality (VR) ........................................24

4. The use of virtual reality technology in education ...................29

Chapter 3 Virtual Reality Applied in Distance Education ...............................36

1. Introduction..........................................................................................36

2. Tools for software development using virtual reality.................39

3. Modeling of virtual reality system for formal languages .........43

4. Conclusion ...........................................................................................55

Chapter 4 Strategic Decision of Non-Profit State Universities: Turning to Open and Distance Education .............................................................57

1. Introduction..........................................................................................57

2. Changing status of state universities in our globalizing

world ....................................................................................................64

3. Turning of non-profit state universities to open & distance

education .............................................................................................71

4. Conclusion............................................................................................79

Chapter 5 Distance Learning: Modern Approaches to Engineering

Education ...................................................................................................89

1. Introduction..........................................................................................89

2. Distance learning technologies and maintaining process .........91

3. Modern approaches to engineering education..............................96

4. Quality evaluation of distance learning ......................................114

5. Conclusions and discussions .......................................................118

6. Appendix – The best practice of application of modern approaches

to engineering education ................................................................123

Chapter 6 Distance Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: A Conceptual

Model .......................................................................................................135

1. Introduction........................................................................................135

2. Background.........................................................................................137

3. The characteristics and features of effective distance

teaching and learning .....................................................................139

4. An effective distance education model.........................................148

5. Discussion & conclusion..................................................................155

Chapter 7 Open and Distance Learning: Achievements and Challenges in

a Developing Sub-Educational Sector in Africa ............................161

1. Introduction........................................................................................161

2. Review of the literature .................................................................164

3. Conceptual issues in open and distance learning ....................164

4. Achievements in open and distance learing space in Africa...180

5. Challenges within open and distance learning space in

Africa ................................................................................................181

6. The study .........................................................................................184

7. Discussion of findings ....................................................................192

8. Recommendations ............................................................................199

9. Conclusion .........................................................................................201

Chapter 8 Teacher Development Through Distance Education: Contrasting

Visions of Radio Learning in South African Primary Schools...206

1. Introduction........................................................................................206

2. Initial implementation of the programme ..................................207

3. Changes in vision of the project team: Responses to formative

evaluation of the programme during the initial funding

phase ..................................................................................................209

4. The end of the first funding phase ............................................213

5. The programme’s implementation theory post 1994 ...............214

6. A vision of educational change involving product and process:

Implementing the radio learning programme blueprint over the

period 1995-2001 ..............................................................................226

7. Contrasting visions of radio learning in South African primary

schools ................................................................................................238

8. Drawing the threads together: What are the lessons learned and

what can other projects take forward? ......................................247

9. Summary and conclusions ..........................................................248

Chapter 9 Promoting E-Learning in Distance Education Programs in an African Country.......................................................................................260

1. Introduction........................................................................................260

2. The E-learning concept in distance higher education ..............261

3. Promoting E-learning for distance learning in Ghana .............268

4. Issues emerging and conclusion ...................................................273

Citation......................................................................................................277

Index...........................................................................................................279

About Author

Mulmudi Grantham obtained his Ph.D. in Education Technology from Public Research University, Kelowna. He has written several articles, research papers and book chapters on teaching methods, e-learning and distance education. He is a Guest Lecturer at University College, Sinaloa. His researches are focused on educational psychology, modern teaching methods and educational development. He is an active member and a regular contributor to several educational clubs and societies. Grantham has travelled and lectured extensively throughout Europe and United States; primarily for higher education.