Exercises

Lesson 3: Methodology in Internet based Open Learning

1. Most distance learning subjects have programmed courses with course texts, exercises and answers, in other words they are very traditional. This method has been selected for a number of reasons:
   • Many subjects are basic and require learning a set of facts.
   • Most students work alone and thus want a structured and programmed course.
   Evaluate this method and its suitability for distance learning subjects. Are our assessments correct?

   Also assess other alternative methods we might have used:

   • Project groups via the net using e-mail and news as the only means of contact
   • Issue-oriented teaching, where distance learning students receive a vaguely specified problem which must be solved. The student must compile information on his or her own, using libraries, the Internet etc. No lessons given beforehand.
   Which other methods would be worthwhile to test for Internet-based distance teaching?
   

2. Consider the two different methods for submitting exercise answers:
   • Sending a file to the teacher as an attachment to email. Teacher make comments to the exercise, and returns it to the student.
   • Assignments have been posted to news, and students have answered, commented and "corrected" the answers. The teacher do comment the answers directly in the discussion forum.
   How do you think these two methods work? List advantages and disadvantages.

3. I have taken the initiative to produce a class list. Do you think a class list will be of any use in this context? What else could be done to enhance the feeling of being part of classroom group do you think?