Distance Learning Technologies: Issues, Trends and Opportunities

As a practitioner of distance learning in a number of forms and formats, I eagerly seek new publications that might help to bring a little more knowledge and science to the art. The title of Lau's book was sufficiently intriguing for my to buy it. Its promise of tying technologies to issues, trends, and opportunities, however remains largely unfilled. Lau has produced a collection of 16 chapters from 22 authors with broad backgrounds and a divergent set of views on distance learning. Some have addressed the issues to technology application head-on, some not so directly. There is an underlying unevenness of this collection, though they all relate to distance teaching or distance learning. Some chapters are stiff and formal (chapter 1, for example) and others are very loose (2); some are broad and general (2), and others focused and technical (10, 16); some are well documented (5, 9), and others not at all (7); some are profusely illustrated (1, 10), and most not visually supported. Lau set out to provide a volume to (1)"provide the theoretical foundation of distance learning," that (2) "describes the conceptual aspects of distance learning." and (3) "provides five cases of practical implementation of distance learning." To some degree, all are provided with varying success. Several chapters were well received by this reader. Of special interest was Adrian's piece on technology and total quality management in developing a learning environment. He does a nice job of presenting and integrating concepts of TQM and distance learning, and setting forth some modifications in the traditional TQM process to apply to the distance environment. The piece which may come closest to meeting the promise of the title is by Smith and Ransbottom of the United States Military Academy at West Point; it lays out a fairly technical discussion of issues and challenges in meeting the evolving needs and technology related to the use of video in the distance learning world. Adams and Freeman also offer an interesting short analysis of the use of knowledge management and application of technology in an evolving doctoral program. There are of gems buried in this volume, though they might be difficult to locate. There are also some good ideas which bear further development; perhaps a project for another day or other researchers. If you are a value-conscious book buyer and reader, you may want to skip this one. The few really strong and useful chapters might not justify the....price tag.

A few of the articles in this collection, edited by Linda Lau, may be peripheral to your interests - for me these were topics such as 'Applying Technology and TQM to Distance Learning or 'Web-Based Training for the Network Marketing industry', but in general this is an excellent collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking essays around the title themes. I'm confident that everyone involved in this area will find articles with valuable insights both basic and advanced into this rapidly burgeoning field of endeavour. For example, the pedagogical analysis in the first essay 'Web-Based Learning and Instruction: a Constructivist Approach' by Valerie N. Morphew (West Virginian Wesleyan College) is succinct, insightful and offers a basis for explaining to recalcitrant academics how their teaching may actually benefit from incorporating some web-based teaching and learning activities.