GOAL 2.2

Weaknesses and Strenghts 

             Nowadays we have important advances on education and there is a marked tendency to the use of technology addressed to different purposes like: business, education and entertainment. This type of system was created for the ones that were unable to continue their education and was difficult or impossible to attend to a system on a formal education basis. Speaking about needs on this type of learner I must point out that to get enroll into this system implies to have some qualities from the student like: to be autonomous, well organized in time and space, some knowledge using up to date computer programs , the use of  browsers, the use of internet and other media via satellite.

(Lindner et al., 2001) supports that; “a learner must possess certain knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to complete a planned instructional sequence and be successful”.

To have full access to this media of communication and information requires a level of knowledge from the learner in order to be capable; to carry out and the complete realization of the tasks and activities given by the teacher. For the same reason this type of program requires certain level of being autonomous. Nevertheless I would like to point out some important aspects that involves the weaknesses and strengths of this type of learner which gets enroll in an open distance education system.

Inglis et al., (2002) claimed that: this group of distance educators tends to see learning as the development of a student’s capabilities in directions defined by the teacher.  For them, the learning package serves to provide the resources needed to achieve this result. Meanwhile those who favor the use of interactive modes of delivery nevertheless generally accept the practical and economic necessity of making use of learning resources. They argue, though, that learning materials need to be used in such a way as to construct a dialogue between the teacher and the student.

According to the past cite I must say that I agree to the point that open and distance education teaching  must be built an environment that leads to the interaction among the class participant’s, the teacher and learner. Because the interaction among the class is another way to learn to know the opinion of each one performs as a feedback.

References

K. Doodley, Lindner and L. Doodley, 2001. Advanced methods in distance education, Applications and Practices for educators trainers and learners,( )Information science publisher.

Inglis.A, Ling and Joonsten.V, (2002). Delivering digitally; Managing the transition to the knowledge media, (2^nd edition), published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library.

GOAL 1.3

Open and Distance Education

Face to face education system is what we know and identify as the old traditional education.

Distance education was implemented in the early 1800‘s to the current day. So we are speaking approximately of 214 years of new inputs in education systems. In those days it was a distance education system used by media mail, the ones interested on an ongoing career got enrolled and pay a tuition to the Institution. And consequently they received their materials by mail and the instructions to get start. Nowadays there are new Medias that promote to continue education. The creation of the World Wide Web brought a new age in communication systems and has proposed new shifts in everyday lifestyles.

The following authors Lidner, Doodley, Murphy and Doodley have given the following definition to distance education “Distance Education occurs when the instructor and learner are separated by location and/or time (Lidner & Murphy, 2001). This separation requires communication channels, to bridge the “distance” between and among learner and instructor” (2005, page 2).

The users for this type of education have some limitations on taking face to face courses. Nowadays there are many changes on renewing old systems and making life easier, less costly and practical for the ones that have a truly interested on continue their studies.

 Open Distance Education has become an important way to continue studies and hopefully one day a degree. This population sector is compound majorly by: parents with family, people with some disability, financials problems, the ones who lives in a rural zone and occupational duties.

Nowadays the revolution on new technologies and communication media has taken an important place in different fields; education, business and entertainment.

(Lidner, Doodley & Murphy) A learner must possess certain knowledge, skills abilities, in order to complete a plan instructional sequence and be successful (Lidner, Dooley & Murphy, 2001, page 4).

STRENGHTS AND WEAKNESSES

STRENGHTS	WEAKNESSES
One of the strengths can be that the learner autonomous by the time of taking the course.	To study on an open distance classes is not for everyone. Requires some skills and style of learning.
To learn in open distance classes is a way of evolution revolution studies. Because is throughout a media that is innovative and technological.	In some context may be considered as a high cost Source for learning.
Easy storage system throughout intern devices and extern device like :cd rom, dvd, memory stick, external memory	The easy storage leads to the use of a PC and non-everyone has a pc or laptop. Some programs take a lot space on these memory storage devices so it can be very costly also.
The Internet nowadays has an important place on business, education and entertainment.	Low access to the internet , internet failures, server down
Computer Manage Learning is an approach, with the following benefits cost effectively to administer tests and to track their progress and to manage the student learning.	This kind of approaches may not suit everyone because to study under these standards requires special skills. The student must be autonomous and well organized in time and space.
The ability to use media	Many people is unfamiliar with technology sources. Manage of programs. The use of internet to benefit on learning.
Unlimited use resources in time and space. Videos, books, images, dictionaries, researches. Etc.,	Many people don’t know how to benefit from the use of internet.
In my opinion I think that everything must be work out, when is a need and a truly feeling for learning. The demands on this globalized world lead to the use of technology. So I can see that more people go for these types of courses no matter what. Because in other words the use of computer systems is a strong economic power source. Translate to obtain a better job. Obtain a promotion, education opportunities, is a great source on communication and many more. So as part of this revolution we must go along with these changes in order to excel in life. By the other hand can be devastating to intend to get back on these important changes. Because every single step is leading to the use of technology. The new changes on communication and a new age on information. I think once the person has the training this can be an excellent tool to rely on our life projects. Because comes along with an uncountable benefits. One of my main objectives when I began my university computer was to learn how to use the computer programs. Because I was back on the new changes which means non competent in many job positions. Now I can go to ask to a job position and say that I know how to use some programs as well as the internet.

Open and Distance Education

 Open and Distance Education

Nowadays to study on this modality is very frequent among us. Is a way of innovation and   it has many advantages for the users. Just to mention some; saves money  and time.The students save money on transportation as well in food. Today to study on line  is a useful  manner to continue education. The rhythm of life has dictated a new path to continue studying and this particular one, results practical and less costly one.

To be educated under these standards requires to follow a methodology of learning. It is very important to setu up a space, time, as well to schedule dates of deadlines to hand in the activities of the class. For some kind of learnears may be not an easy task but some others will get along very good with this modality. One of the advantages is that the student a certain point needs to continue learning automously in order to complete the learning. The activities and the materials are there upload, but the teacher availavility is limitated. Because the teacher's  backup is not always at the moment required. 

To study openly is an excellent manner to continue learning and become well educated. Some of the subjects may allow to be given under these regulations. But definetely some others may require to be present in class. Therefore  there  are many courses or degrees that are designed on this modality. This modality is excellent for people that need to work, lives far away, is married or finds better to study in home.

Everyday we face new advances in life styles. So this is one advance on Education which gives the opportunity to pursue a career in the confort of home not dealing with traffic and people. Only requires to get in track, set up a plan and study autonomously.