A framework for looking at distance education technologies.

1. Category Feature Points Audio-conferencing
Synchronous ü The interaction of audio conferencing happening in real-time,and it’s activities occur at "the
same time" or "live." And allows the instructor and other students to interact at the same time
Time of via different locations. (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 80).
interaction
Asynchronou
s
Student- ü Create group rapport through small group work and other teqnique to enhance student-to-
student student interaction. (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 83).
Student- ü It is an interactive medium, allowing direct student and instructor participation. capability
teacher (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 80).
Type of
interaction
Student- ü Is two-way interactive capability (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page
content 82).
Student- ü Is two-way interactive capability (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page
machine 82).
Group-based ü The Conference Group’s audio conferencing services takes into account the need to include
multiple parties that may in some cases be thousands of miles away – and still offer the same
high voice quality and access to features.
Learning style (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 84).
Self-based
learning

2. Anytime ü audio conferencing solutions are designed to be easy to administer. They provide the flexibility
of having control and management of the conference either via the telephone, your PC or a
combination of both. While enjoying the substantial cost savings and enhanced security of an
in-house conferencing solution, you can also be assured that you will not incur burdensome
administrative costs. The process of adding, changing, and deleting user accounts, setting user
privileges, managing system resources, monitoring system status, and generating reports is
simple and straightforward, requiring very little of an administrator's time. Some of these
functions can be performed from the built-in user interface or integrated into your own
Microsoft Outlook® or Lotus Notes® system. (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry
Willis page 85).
Anyplace ü audio conferencing solutions are designed to be easy to administer. They provide the flexibility
of having control and management of the conference either via the telephone, your PC or a
combination of both. While enjoying the substantial cost savings and enhanced security of an
in-house conferencing solution, you can also be assured that you will not incur burdensome
administrative costs. The process of adding, changing, and deleting user accounts, setting user
privileges, managing system resources, monitoring system status, and generating reports is
simple and straightforward, requiring very little of an administrator's time. Some of these
Flexibility functions can be performed from the built-in user interface or integrated into your own
Microsoft Outlook® or Lotus Notes® system. (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry
Willis page 85).

3. Ease of ü All relevant information is generated automatically and sent to the users in the conference.
access/use Once the meeting has started, the leader has full control via a web interface and/or the
telephone keypad. Users have the ability with the web interface to allow them call control
functions as well as meeting choreography, i.e. to raise their "hand" when they wish to ask a
question for example. As in face to face meetings the leader can set up a breakout group to
create a sub conference on the fly. Integrated Web conferencing tools allow PC applications to
be easily shared and fully rounds out this powerful conferencing solution. To further increase
the productivity of the meeting integrated voting and polling deliver faster decisions. (Distance
education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 86).
Development ü It foster the development of learning experience that are tailored to the needs of specific
learners. (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 81).
Feedback ü Provide many opportunities for direct feedback.Distance learner can participiate in the
planning and developing of curriculum relevant to their needs. (Distance education: a practical
guide By Barry Willis page 80 & 81).
Speed
Delivery Audioconferencing is convenient , effective, and easy to use, it has become a cornerstone in
the delivery of educational services to students.
Students have many opportunities for give and take with other students, the instructor, and
outside experts. (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 80).
Stand-alone
medium
Multimedia ü It need special equipments to be used . (Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis
Instruction
support page 87).
High cost
Low cost ü It is cost-effective for rural or geographically dispersed learners.In addition, it can be very
Cost effective when used in combination with other media including print,video and computers.
(Distance education: a practical guide By Barry Willis page 81).
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