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A growing trend in education today is distance learning. Distance learning includes educational and learning opportunities that take place outside of a traditional classroom setting. In distance learning, the teacher and student are typically situated in different locations; therefore, the learning takes place through another medium. Distance learning has existed in one form or another since 1852. Beginning as a through-the-mail course, distance learning has greatly evolved over time to what it is today. Many distance education opportunities today are now available in a variety of formats, and online distance learning courses are prevalent in the educational community (Casey, 2008).

More information about distance learning can be found in the video below (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018).

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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2. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: A Supportive Team of Academic Professionals

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2. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: A Supportive Team of Academic Professionals

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A supportive team of academic professionals is an important factor in the success of a distance learning program. Teachers typically possess the knowledge required to teach their course, but they may not be fully equipped to create a successful online learning experience. Therefore, as Wiley Education Services (n.d.) points out, “a full team of online program professionals, including instructional designers” (para. 5) would be a great asset to a distance learning program. With a proper support team in place, educators and institutions can ensure their distance learning program is effective and engaging (Wiley Education Services, n.d.).

Not only do teachers need support, but students need support as well. Teachers must ensure that students are receiving the appropriate amount of support in a distance learning program. Teachers are responsible for encouraging and supporting student transformation whether the course is in person or through a distance learning medium (Wang, Peng, Huang, Hou, & Wang, 2008). Therefore, it is imperative that distance learning educators make themselves available for students to ask questions, to give students constructive feedback, and to encourage students when they are on the right track.

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A collaborative learning team of professionals is essential to the success of a distance education program (Collaborative Learning Community, n.d.)

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3. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: Opportunities to Socialize

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3. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: Opportunities to Socialize

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In order for a distance learning program to be successful, students need ample opportunities to communicate with instructors as well as fellow classmates. Distance learning programs without opportunities to interact with others lack the social cues and valuable discussions provided in a regular classroom setting. When students miss out on the opportunities to communicate with their peers and teachers, the learning experience can feel less personal. A simple way to remedy this situation is by integrating various communication opportunities into the distance learning experience. Other ways to facilitate discussion include video responses, discussion boards, podcasts, blogs, and usage of webcams (Casey, 2008).

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Communicating with classmates and teachers is a valuable part of the learning experience (People Socializing, n.d.).

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4. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: Ensure Lessons Utilize a Variety of Learning Methods

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4. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: Ensure Lessons Utilize a Variety of Learning Methods

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Creating lessons that reach a variety of learners with differing learning styles is vital to the success of a distance learning program. Because distance learning can occur in a variety of formats, distance learning teachers must be well versed in the type of strategies that work best in their particular distance learning setting. Teachers should be cognizant of the fact that different strategies must be utilized to reach different students. However, teachers should also assist students in discovering their personal strengths and weaknesses in various learning methods. Identifying student strengths and weaknesses allows students to self-regulate and allows teachers to provide support as needed (Wang et al., 2008).

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It is important to take learning styles into account when creating lessons for a distance learning program (Learning Styles, n.d.).

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5. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: Specify Learning Objectives

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5. Characteristics of a Successful Distance Learning Program: Specify Learning Objectives

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Clear learning objectives are another important aspect of a successful distance learning program. Specific learning objectives help the teacher focus lessons on the most important information and material. Learning objectives also “help improve the effectiveness and success of the learner” (Wang et al., 2008, p. 26). Clear learning objectives provide feedback for students through self-evaluation. Students are better able to self-adjust and adhere to learning standards and requirements when they understand the objective of the task they are completing (Wang et al., 2008).

Learning objectives are important in any classroom, but they are especially important in a distance learning course. The video below explains the importance of clear learning objectives (CIRTL MOOC, 2015).

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There are many ways to ensure the success of participants in  distance education courses. First, distance education teachers must be supportive and open (Wang et al., 2008). Second, distance education courses must provide opportunities for students to communicate with teachers and fellow classmates (Casey, 2008). Next, teachers must utilize a variety of instructional strategies when engaging students in distance learning lessons to ensure students' needs are being met (Wang et al., 2008). Then, specific learning objectives must be established (Wang et al., 2008). There are other ways that educators can help ensure success of participants, such as:

adding face time to online courses

building in virtual office hours

offering student supports such as live tutoring sessions

making the use of technology as seamless as possible

(Friedman, 2019)
While these are not the only strategies educators in distance learning programs can utilize, they are definitely beneficial in helping students succeed in distance education programs.

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7. Conclusion: Impact on Curriculum and Instruction

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7. Conclusion: Impact on Curriculum and Instruction

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As distance learning continues to grow and change, the role of a curriculum and instruction specialist may change over time as well. Ultimately, it will depend on what type of setting the curriculum and instruction specialist is working in. In a typical secondary setting, the curriculum and instruction specialist will continue supporting teachers with best practices and strategies. However, many higher education institutions are now relying heavily on distance education, so a curriculum specialist's role could change if working in higher education. For example, a curriculum specialist working in distance learning at a higher education institution may need to specialize in strategies, websites, and new technology available to assist in distance education courses.

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Casey, D. (2008). A journey to legitimacy: The historical development of distance education through technology. TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, 52(2), 45-51. Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMNHX8kSeqLE4zOX0OLCmr1GeqK9Ssq24S7eWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGutk%2B2prNJuePfgeyx43zx1%2B6B&T=P&P=AN&S=R&D=tfh&K=31893450

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Screen Name]. (2018, March 6). Distance learning [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/-bTWx1w6-ZE

CIRTL MOOC [Screen name]. (2015, August 31). Why do we need learning objectives [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/wI5jTna8ZTA

Collaborative Learning Community. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.isd518.net/plc

Friedman, D. (2019). Supporting student success in online learning. Retrieved from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/02/supporting-student-success-in-online-learning/

Learning Styles. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/articles/tackling-the-learning-styles-myth

People socializing. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://webcomicms.net/people-socializing-cliparts

Wang, Y., Peng, H., Huang, R., Hou, Y., & Wang, J. (2008). Characteristics of distance learners: research on relationships of learning motivation, learning strategy, self-efficacy, attribution and learning results. Open Learning, 23(1), 17-28. doi: 10.1080/02680510701815277

Wiley Education Services. (n.d.). Creating great online courses with 4 key characteristics. Retrieved from https://edservices.wiley.com/4-characteristics-of-exceptional-online-courses/