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    Principles in Distance Learning


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  • Learning Material

    Principles in Distance Learning

     Open Distance Learning 😃

    As you know Open Distance Learning (ODL) has come a long way, especially in recent years, thanks to the power of technology. It's amazing how much the landscape of education has changed, especially since COVID-19. The pandemic really pushed educational institutions to rethink how they deliver learning, and technology became the major role of the story.

    ODL was already a great option for people who couldn’t attend traditional classes—whether because of where they live, their work schedules, or other commitments.  Think about it, with high-speed internet, smartphones, and cloud-based learning platforms, students can now access their lessons from virtually anywhere, at any time!

    What’s really exciting is how technology has made ODL more engaging and interactive. We’ve got virtual classrooms (PEARL portal), video conferencing (webex), educational applications and even gamified learning experiences that make studying from home feel a lot more connected and dynamic.As digital tools continue to evolve, ODL will likely play an even more significant role in shaping the future of education


    Open distance learning (ODL) or distance education (ODE) involves non conventional approach of teaching and learning integrated by  various media and technologies (Jung et al.,2019). ODL also refers to a flexible learning approach that allows students to study remotely without being in regular face-to-face contact with instructors. 

    Commonwealth of Learning (COL) defines open and distance learning as a learning system, which uses technology to mediate instruction and learning (COL, 2005) . In ODL context, individual or group of learners can learn without constraint of time and place with the help of Learning Management Systems (LMS). 

    Image of School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia from official website

    About ODL in SDE

    School of Education (SDE) is one of the leading odl provider in Malaysia. SDE offers 4 programmes:

    Bachelor of Science (Hons.)

    ✅ Bachelor of Arts (Hons.)

    ✅ Bachelor of Social Science (Hons.)

    ✅ Bachelor of Management (Hons.) 


    In SDE, we have 74 academic staffs from diverse fields,  39 administrative staffs including officers and Deputy Registrar. Our enrolment of students are  ±4,500 (based on Dec 2023). SDE also have over 20,000 graduates from each of 4 programmes mentioned above.

    Did you know that SDE is a true pioneer in Open Distance Learning (ODL) programs since 1971? In fact, it holds the distinction of being the longest-running ODL initiative in any Higher Education Institution in Malaysia. Impressive, isn’t it? 😃   

    SDE’s journey began over five decades ago when it recognized the need to provide flexible learning opportunities to those who couldn’t pursue traditional, on-campus education. Since its inception, SDE has been at the forefront of delivering quality education, adapting to changing educational trends and technological advancements. Now, let's take a look of the journey of SDE since 1971 (from left to right)


    1971


    School of Distance Education (SDE) started as Off-Campus Programme started in May under a division of the School of Education. 

    1978


    The Off-Campus Programme was upgraded to Off-Campus Studies Unit.


    1984


    The Off-Campus Studies Unit was further upgraded to Centre for Off Campus Studies and moved to the Long House as its temporary building.

    1995


    The Centre for Off Campus Studies was renamed as the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) and moved to a new building.

    1999


    The Centre for Distance Education was promoted to the School of Distance Education (SDE).

    Now


    The School of Distance Education is one of the leading Open Distance Learning (ODL) provider in Malaysia.


    How technology emerge at SDE?

    You’ve just explored the rich history of SDE in previous section, witnessing its long journey from conventional teaching methods to the latest, cutting-edge approaches in distance education. This evolution underscores SDE's unwavering dedication to providing top-quality education to its distance learners. 

    The advancement of technology has been a game-changer in this journey, allowing SDE to continuously improve and innovate, ensuring that distance learning is not only accessible but also engaging while enabling students to learn at their own pace since 1971 until now. Let's explore how technology has transformed SDE from traditional methods to modern e-learning.



      Timeline

    1971
    Initially, SDE started with conventional face-to-face teaching methods, relying heavily on lecture notes to deliver course content to students.

    1979
    SDE took a significant step forward by introducing off-campus radio broadcasts. These broadcasts allowed students to access lectures remotely, making learning more accessible.

    1983
    Printed modules was used as a learning material for the students. Some of modules will deliver to the distance learners using postage.

    1988
    Initially, Audio-Conference was introduced around 1988.

    1991
    SDE took a significant step forward by introducing off-campus radio broadcasts. These broadcasts allowed students to access lectures remotely, making learning more accessible.

    1995
    Video teleconference was introduced. This innovation has significantly transformed the landscape of distance education, making it more accessible and effective.

    2003
    SDE has created an e-learning portal to enhance the learning experience for its students. This portal serves as a centralized hub where learners can access a variety of educational resources.

    2014
    The introduction of web conferencing marked the beginning of the digitalization era for SDE. This innovative technology transformed how teaching is delivered and enabling real-time communication between instructors and students.

    2022-now
    SDE transitioned to an integrated Self-Instructional Material (SIM) approach, marking a significant advancement in its educational delivery. The PEARL portal became a central hub for learning, providing students with access to SIM content.


     Digital Learning at SDE


    You have learned about ODL and SDE digitalisation from the section above. You might also wonder how Learning Management Systems (LMS) relates with ODL, right? Well, LMS are integral to the effective implementation of Open and Distance Learning (ODL). They provide a digital platform for interaction between students and educators, facilitating various academic activities and announcements through online platform.

    In SDE context, distance education is a mode of learning where students and instructors are physically separated, and instruction is delivered entirely online by using Self-Instructional Material (SIM). Interaction occurs through online platforms such as using Learning Management Systems (LMS), emails, video conferences (Cisco Webex), educational application tools and social media as a medium for discussions. 


    For instance, at the School of Distance Education, the PEARL portal is an integral part of our LMS, which is built on the Moodle platform. PEARL facilitates a seamless learning experience by providing access to learning materials, self learning activities, self assessments and communication tools that support our distance education mode.

    Moodle, an acronym for "Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment," is a widely used open-source Learning Management System (LMS) designed to support both teaching and learning in various educational settings. It provides educators with the tools to create and manage courses, track student progress, administer quizzes and assignments, and facilitate collaborative learning through forums, wikis, and other interactive activities using H5P. The platform is highly customizable, allowing instructors to tailor it to their specific educational needs and approaches.

    PEARL Portal as a LMS in SDE


    PEARL, the portal used by the School of Distance Education at Universiti Sains Malaysia, is built on this Moodle foundation. As a one-stop e-learning platform, PEARL serves as the central hub for distance learners, offering a comprehensive suite of resources and tools to support their studies. The portal includes self-instructional materials (SIM), which are specifically designed to guide students through their learning journey independently. These materials are integrated within the Moodle framework, enabling seamless access to learning content, activities, and assessments.

    Go to PEARL Portal




    The portal's integration with Moodle ensures that it benefits from Moodle's robust features, such as detailed reporting, scalability, and the ability to support various multimedia formats, enhancing the overall learning experience for distance learners.







    Open Distance Learning (ODL) at the School of Distance Education (SDE), Universiti Sains Malaysia, is a well-structured system that combines several key components in order to deliver effective and engaging distance education. It operates through the integration of a robust teaching model, Self-Instructional Materials (SIM), and instructional design principles.


    Therefore, it is important for instructors to understand the integration of the three components because by knowing how these components work together helps instructors deliver courses more effectively. You as an instructor can also tailor your teaching strategies to suit the needs of distance learners, ensuring that the content is accessible and impactful.
     
     
     
     
     

    Self-Instructional Material (SIM)

    Self-Instructional Material or SIM are developed well by course managers in order to provide self-learning among the students. All the courses was delivered by using learning management system (LMS) in PEARL portal (please refer to previous section about the portal.

     
     
     
     
     
     

    Online Classes 

    Online classes conducted via Webex are held synchronously for 1 hour. Each session is recorded, allowing students to watch them again later through the Webex Tab on PEARL. This setup ensures that students who cannot attend the live session still have access to the content. 

     
     
     
     
     

    Intensive Course 

    An intensive course involves face-to-face classes designed to enhance student engagement with course managers. During this time, students can ask questions, seek explanations, participate in lab work, attend seminars, give presentations, and take continuous examinations. The intensive course also provides an opportunity for School of Distance Education (SDE) students to experience university life, as they typically study online through the portal.

     
     
     
     
     

    Multiple Mode AfL 

    Instructors also requires to provide multiple mode of assessment for learning. For example for coursework typically includes various forms of assessment such as assignments, presentations, and reports, which allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the material throughout the course. Students are also required to take a final examination, which is conducted synchronously or face-to-face. This final exam serves as a comprehensive evaluation of the students' grasp of the entire course content, providing a balanced approach to assessing both their continuous effort and overall learning outcomes.

     
     
     
     
     

    Student Support

    SDE offers a range of resources and support services to ensure a comprehensive learning experience for distance learners. Students are able to access the USM Library online to find collection of digital resources, including e-books, journals, and research databases from anywhere. Moreover, various student activities are organized by our school to foster a sense of community and engagement among learners, even though they are studying remotely.

    Administrative support is also available in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, ensuring that students can receive help with course registration, technical issues, and other administrative tasks at their convenience. Together, these services are designed to create a rich and supportive educational environment, mirroring the resources and experiences typically available to on-campus students, but tailored to meet the needs of those studying from a distance  😃


    What about the programme delivery?


     September

    Course Registration


    Online course registration via Campus Online.

    Go to Campus Online
     Course manager: Endorse registration

     October - February

    Self-learning & Online Classes


    Self-learning using SIM on PEARL.

    • Attending online classes via Webex

    Prepare coursework


     Course manager: Marking coursework

     February - March

    Intensive Course


    Students will attend tutorial, lab, joining field trip, presentation, seminar, get a consultation from course managers and sit for Continuous Examination


     March – June

    Self-learning & Online Classes 


    Students  continue their self-paced learning in SIM on PEARL portal, attending webex classes and preparing for the coursework


     Course manager: Marking PB/ Coursework

     October - February

    Self-learning & Online Classes


    Students will Sit for Final Exam in selected locations and will conduct in face to face.


     Course Manager: Marking exam


    SIM - Manual, how both of them relate together?

    SIMs, or Self-Instructional Materials, are specially designed to help our students learn on their own. They include course content, learning activities, and self-assessments, all aimed at guiding the distance learners to reach the learning objectives without needing an course instructor right there with them.

    Think of it like a user manual or those lego assembly instructions—they're great examples of SIMs. Just like how you can put together all the lego parts without needing others help, SIM will guide your students through learning journey independently. 

     
     
     

    SIM according to COPPA: ODL

    COPPA: ODL is a document that is intended to provide guidelines for Higher Education Providers (HEPs) offering programs through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) for accreditation and program audit purposes.HEPs planning to offer ODL programs must strictly adhere to the standards outlined in COPPA, as well as relevant program standards where applicable. In disciplines where specific program standards exist, those requirements will take precedence. You can read about the document at references on this topic.


    Based on Glossary No. 64:

    An educational material that facilitate personalized learning. SIM is developed based on 
    sound instructional design principles (namely it should be learner-friendly, written in conversational writing style and use simple language, include learning activities, self- assessment and feedback). 

     
     
     

    The material may be in various forms; print-based, web-based, multimedia, interactive book etc. Study guide can be an integral part of SIM. 


    Area 1.2.5 (iv):
    SIM for the ODL programme must be provided in the following ways: adopting existing materials; adapting existing materials; or creating original materials; or any other appropriate approaches

     
      
     

    Assessment activities for ODL (Open and Distance Learning) students should apply the various learning technologies available to enhance the effectiveness and achieve the learning outcomes. These technologies include online quizzes, interactive tasks, discussion or forums that can be integrated into learning management systems like Moodle.


    COPPA: ODL, p.9

    It is crucial that an appropriate assessment method and mechanism is in place. Assessment activities should leverage on the functionality and availability of learning technologies. The methods of student assessment must be clear, consistent, effective, reliable and in line with current practices. They must clearly measure the achievement of the intended learning outcomes

      
     
     

    The main goal of developing Self-Instructional Material (SIM) is to support adult learners in reaching their intended learning outcomes and overcoming any challenges they might face. This is done by:


    Presenting the course content in a clear and organized way
    ✅Breaking down the content into smaller, manageable chunks
    Offering guidance and motivation to encourage independent learning.
    Including learning activities that help reinforce knowledge through practical application.
    Providing feedback opportunities so students can assess their understanding, see where they got things right, or identify any mistakes.

    How these Instructional Design Principles relate to ODL and why instructors need to know? 

    ADDIE Model

    The ADDIE model is a framework for instructional design that includes five phases: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. In the context of ODL, this model ensures a structured approach to creating courses that are well-organized and learner-centered. The flexibility of the ADDIE model makes it particularly suitable for designing distance learning materials, as it allows for continuous improvement based on learner feedback. It will guide instructors through the entire process, from identifying learner needs to evaluating the success of the Self-Instructional Material.

    Bloom's Taxonomy (Anderson & krathwohl, 2001)

    Bloom's Taxonomy provides a hierarchical classification of cognitive skills, from basic knowledge recall to higher-order thinking skills like analysis and evaluation. In ODL, where learners often study independently, it’s crucial to design activities and assessments that cater to different levels of cognitive processing. This ensures that learners not only absorb information but also apply, analyze, and create based on what they’ve learned. Instructors need to be familiar with Bloom’s Taxonomy in order to craft learning outcomes for activities and assessments that align in SIM.

    Interaction of constructive alignment between learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities and assessments

    Constructive Alignment

    Biggs suggested that the verbs in intended learning outcomes (ILO) becomes the common link that establishes alignment between the ILO between, the teaching/ learning activities, and the assessment tasks. For example, an instructor is teaching about psychology and his learning outcomes is "Apply expectancy - value theory to address a classroom management issue effectively"

    Alignment - is based on the psychology of constructivism

    Alignment - both teaching and assessment need to be aligned to the intended learning outcomes


    Learning Activity
    Case study based on situation based in the classroom

    Assessment
    Create a rubric to assess students’ proposed solutions for classroom management issue

    Modular Instructions

    Modular instruction is a different approach to instructional design that utilizes tailored educational materials that cater to students' needs. An instructional module is self-contained, self-pacing and self-learning technique of instruction. This method encourages students to engage in a variety of interesting and challenging activities to help sustain their focus and attention, promoting independent learning. 

    Self-Contained Units: Each module is designed as an independent unit of learning that covers specific learning outcomes. Learners can engage with the content on their own without immediate instructor intervention.

    Sequential or Non-Sequential Learning: Modules may be designed to be completed in a specific order (sequential) or allow flexibility where learners can choose the order based on their preferences or learning needs (non-sequential).


    Benefits of using module

    • Encourage independent learning. It will direct the students to explore the information and learning material. 
    • Help the instructor to facilitate the students. 
    • Modular instructions will help the students better in self-learning. Students will develop a sense of accountability in order to finish the tasks provided in the SIM.



    Designing Modular Instructions for ODL

    • Chunking Content: Breaking down complex content into smaller, digestible chunks makes it easier for learners to follow and understand.
    • Clear Navigation: Modules should have a clear and intuitive structure, with easy navigation for learners to move between sections.