OMDE 606
State of Confusion!
This is the best way to describe how I feel right now. Somehow I managed to get both writing assignments turned into the right classes.
This past week I learned quite a bit from Rumble's (2007) debate Social justice, economics and distance learning. His reading took me through several span of years in which he addresses the way in which citizens' thoughts and beliefs about distance education and who should be funding it. Libertarian groups supported the theory of rational choice and changing distance education funding from public to privatization.
Rumble mentions Rawls' 1999 theory of justice in which he believed inequalities can e diminished if some form of welfare system is in place that focuses on "equality of opportunity" (p.170).
Reference:
Rumble, G. (2007). Social justice, economics and distance education. Open Learning, 22 (2), 167-176. doi:10.1080/02680510701306715
State of Confusion!
This is the best way to describe how I feel right now. Somehow I managed to get both writing assignments turned into the right classes.
This past week I learned quite a bit from Rumble's (2007) debate Social justice, economics and distance learning. His reading took me through several span of years in which he addresses the way in which citizens' thoughts and beliefs about distance education and who should be funding it. Libertarian groups supported the theory of rational choice and changing distance education funding from public to privatization.
Rumble mentions Rawls' 1999 theory of justice in which he believed inequalities can e diminished if some form of welfare system is in place that focuses on "equality of opportunity" (p.170).
Reference:
Rumble, G. (2007). Social justice, economics and distance education. Open Learning, 22 (2), 167-176. doi:10.1080/02680510701306715
Learning and feeling much better.! This week I was able to apply some of what I have learned to my new job as a clinical workflow analyst.
Rumble (2004) states that one of the cardinal rules of costing is to begin with an understanding of what information is to be collected and how it will be analyzed. I think I understand what he is trying to say. A person will be unable to accomplish any sort of mission if they don't know and thoroughly understand what it is they want to accomplish.
Rumble, G. (2004). The cost and economics of open and distance learning. New York, NY: Routledge
Rumble (2004) states that one of the cardinal rules of costing is to begin with an understanding of what information is to be collected and how it will be analyzed. I think I understand what he is trying to say. A person will be unable to accomplish any sort of mission if they don't know and thoroughly understand what it is they want to accomplish.
Rumble, G. (2004). The cost and economics of open and distance learning. New York, NY: Routledge
Module 2 Mock Assignment
The mock assignment was truly challenging but I made it and I am so proud of myself. I am surprised at all of the work that goes into creating an online distance learning course. Now I actually understand why universities charge certain fees for online distance education courses that the don't charge for face to face courses.
The chapters were difficult for me to read at first but once I started trying to input the data into the spreadsheet it made a lot more sense to me. Several times I had to refer to the book to understand where items were needing to be placed. The practice spreadsheets throughout the module gave me an idea of how changing the numbers affect the volume of activity. I think I know understand that it is very important to know the different types of costs (fixed, variable, semi-variable, overheads, etc.) and the affects they might have on a business.
The mock assignment was truly challenging but I made it and I am so proud of myself. I am surprised at all of the work that goes into creating an online distance learning course. Now I actually understand why universities charge certain fees for online distance education courses that the don't charge for face to face courses.
The chapters were difficult for me to read at first but once I started trying to input the data into the spreadsheet it made a lot more sense to me. Several times I had to refer to the book to understand where items were needing to be placed. The practice spreadsheets throughout the module gave me an idea of how changing the numbers affect the volume of activity. I think I know understand that it is very important to know the different types of costs (fixed, variable, semi-variable, overheads, etc.) and the affects they might have on a business.
Module 3: The Cost-Effectiveness of DE Institutions
Whew! Lots and lots of reading!
The cost effectiveness of DE is a challenging one. As a student, I did not understand the costs and the amount of work involved in setting up a DE program. I would just look at my bill and wonder why I was being charged extra for online services. One can judge how a institution is doing by determining its Cost effectiveness but I think the real true measurement comes when its success rate is measured based on it cost efficiency. Cost efficiency in online environment has many variables and is considered efficient over time when its output is sustained and the input does not increase (Berge & Donaldson, 2007).
Berge, Z., & Donaldson, C. (2008). Cost-benefit of online learning. In W. J. Bramble, Panda, S. (Ed.), Economics of distance and online learning (pp. 179-194). London: Kogan Page.
Module 4 The Cost of Mass Media
Bates reading was pretty interesting. We were driving and listening to a live NFL game on satellite radio. My husband mentioned to out daughter that back in the old days there were no TV's to watch games and that listening on the radio was the only way. She was amazed and couldn't even picture not being able to watch a "picture screen. Bates (2005) mentions that most economically advanced countries like the U.S. very rarely use radio as a teaching medium (p.6). It made sense to me that underdeveloped countries would maybe use this form of media but what did surprise me is its use for the illiterate. "Millions of people around the world who cannot read or do not have access to television use a radio set" (Bates, 2005). Costs associated with radio are fixed because the marginal cost is not based on the number of or how many students but only on the transmission and production costs.
Bates, A. (2005). Technology, e-learning and distance education. New York, NY: Routledge
Module 4 Group Assignment
I think our group assignment is getting off to a good start. This has been another challenge for me with personal emergency situations along with loosing everything after my computer crashed. Thank goodness for online technology.
Using Google docs and hangout have been a life savers for us. I have never used hangouts but will continue to use it even after this class.
Module 5 Costing E- Learning
Collaborative learning! For so many years I really disliked group projects and working as groups even in face to face classrooms. I think maybe because I was shy and because I liked being in control of my own destiny (grade). I recently received a promotion and in the last 3 years have been forced to work together to implement and teach employees a new electronic system for our organization. So, I have been forced to use the collaborative skills and some theories that I continue to learn in this program. Due to the fact that all parties involved are not locally able to attend meetings we are forced to use many type of communication media such as the Army's Defense Connect Online (DCO), distance conference, telephone conference, emails and telephones. DCO's are being use more and more by the military to cut costs of traveling to sites.
Group Assignment (cont)
This one of the most challenging group assignments that I have ever worked on. There were so many pieces to work on and collaboration areas to work together. Google docs was a lifesaver and I learned a great deal about how to use it this semester. Google Hangouts was another great and new feature that many in our class had never used. Although, we as a group worked hard together to finalize our group project, there were times when suggestions and comments were not in agreement but we continued to respectful add our input and ended up with what I think was a great end product!
Module 6 Costs and Economics of learner Support
Whew! Lots and lots of reading!
The cost effectiveness of DE is a challenging one. As a student, I did not understand the costs and the amount of work involved in setting up a DE program. I would just look at my bill and wonder why I was being charged extra for online services. One can judge how a institution is doing by determining its Cost effectiveness but I think the real true measurement comes when its success rate is measured based on it cost efficiency. Cost efficiency in online environment has many variables and is considered efficient over time when its output is sustained and the input does not increase (Berge & Donaldson, 2007).
Berge, Z., & Donaldson, C. (2008). Cost-benefit of online learning. In W. J. Bramble, Panda, S. (Ed.), Economics of distance and online learning (pp. 179-194). London: Kogan Page.
Module 4 The Cost of Mass Media
Bates reading was pretty interesting. We were driving and listening to a live NFL game on satellite radio. My husband mentioned to out daughter that back in the old days there were no TV's to watch games and that listening on the radio was the only way. She was amazed and couldn't even picture not being able to watch a "picture screen. Bates (2005) mentions that most economically advanced countries like the U.S. very rarely use radio as a teaching medium (p.6). It made sense to me that underdeveloped countries would maybe use this form of media but what did surprise me is its use for the illiterate. "Millions of people around the world who cannot read or do not have access to television use a radio set" (Bates, 2005). Costs associated with radio are fixed because the marginal cost is not based on the number of or how many students but only on the transmission and production costs.
Bates, A. (2005). Technology, e-learning and distance education. New York, NY: Routledge
Module 4 Group Assignment
I think our group assignment is getting off to a good start. This has been another challenge for me with personal emergency situations along with loosing everything after my computer crashed. Thank goodness for online technology.
Using Google docs and hangout have been a life savers for us. I have never used hangouts but will continue to use it even after this class.
Module 5 Costing E- Learning
Collaborative learning! For so many years I really disliked group projects and working as groups even in face to face classrooms. I think maybe because I was shy and because I liked being in control of my own destiny (grade). I recently received a promotion and in the last 3 years have been forced to work together to implement and teach employees a new electronic system for our organization. So, I have been forced to use the collaborative skills and some theories that I continue to learn in this program. Due to the fact that all parties involved are not locally able to attend meetings we are forced to use many type of communication media such as the Army's Defense Connect Online (DCO), distance conference, telephone conference, emails and telephones. DCO's are being use more and more by the military to cut costs of traveling to sites.
Group Assignment (cont)
This one of the most challenging group assignments that I have ever worked on. There were so many pieces to work on and collaboration areas to work together. Google docs was a lifesaver and I learned a great deal about how to use it this semester. Google Hangouts was another great and new feature that many in our class had never used. Although, we as a group worked hard together to finalize our group project, there were times when suggestions and comments were not in agreement but we continued to respectful add our input and ended up with what I think was a great end product!
Module 6 Costs and Economics of learner Support