Using multiple technologies for distance learning

This paper describes how collaborative technologies, including a corporate intranet, email, videoconferencing, audioconferencing, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), NetMeeting, Virtual Places, WorldsAway, and other Internet-based conferencing tools, are used to teach classes to geographically-dispersed participants. The paper covers the motivation for distance learning, the selection and use of delivery technologies, deployment strategies and issues, and participant feedback. We found that the use of multiple technologies provided an effective and cost-saving alternative to face-to-face instruction and allowed us to reach more people in more locations than we would have without distance learning. The use of multiple technologies provided richer communication than any one technology alone. However, the use of each technology was far more complex than we had imagined at the outset. There were also striking differences between the distance learning and face-to-face classes including instructor preparation and lecture style, student interactions, the types of assignments that worked well, and the importance of establishing protocols.