Week 12

The two articles I read this week were the Koustourakis (2008) and Simonson (2007) articles on the topic of distance education evaluation. I liked the Simonson article the best, even though it had little new information on the topic, because it was very concise in the way it addressed the topic of distance education evaluation. All five steps: reactions, learning, transfer, results, and return on investment are important in the evaluation of any educational program. However, the description of these steps in the article doesn't seem as complete as it ought to. While I enjoyed the simplicity of the article, it did lack the depth needed to help someone make a complete and thorough evaluation of distance education programs.

Also, this was another spectacular week of presentations on distance learning tools. I learned a lot and plan to utilize both of them as extensively as possible. The first was iTunes and the second was Google Sites.

I have had the opportunity to use iTunes regularly for music and have heard of some of its other features, but have not really explored anything else. I am interested in further exploring podcasts, international radio, video, audiobooks, educational games, and iTunes U. I had never thought of it as an educational tool, but I can now see it has much to offer on a wide variety of subjects.

As for Google Sites, this presentation was very excellent. The emphasis on its use as an educational tool in distance learning was especially helpful. I have had the opportunity to explore Google Sites a little in another distance education course, and I never cease to be amazed with its instructional capabilities. I hope to be involved with the creation of similar instructional websites in the future. Google Sites is truly one of the most powerful tools available to us in distance learning.

This has been a very rewarding class as I now feel much more prepared to work in distance education armed with a greater knowledge of some of the best tools available in facilitating student learning at a distance.