Exercises

1. In Lesson 3 I have discussed some reasons why "classroom discussions" via newsgroups may be difficult to operate in distance learning contexts. Do you agree with this? Would you like to add anything to this? Why have you/have you not taken part in the classroom discussions?

2. 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?
   

3. Two different methods for submitting exercise answers have up to now been used in the subject of Pedagogics in Open Learning:
   • Sending a file to the teacher
   • Assignments have been posted to news, and students have answered, commented and "corrected" the answers
   How do you think these two methods work? List advantages and disadvantages.

4. I have taken the initiative to produce a class list. Do you think a class list will be of any use in this context? Please send in your contribution to the class list. In that way we can get some experience.