EDT5005 Distance Education: Theory, Research and PracticeBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITYGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
EDT5005 Distance Education: Theory, Research and Practice Spring 3 0 3 8
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. TUFAN ADIGÜZEL
Course Lecturer(s): Dr. Öğr. Üyesi ÖZGÜR ERKUT ŞAHİN
Prof. Dr. TUFAN ADIGÜZEL
Recommended Optional Program Components: None
Course Objectives: This course will cover application of theory, principles, and instructional practice in distance education. It will also provide instruction to learners separated from the instructor by distance and/or time. We will also address characteristics (planning, development, implementation, administration, and evaluation), technologies (telecommunications, course or learning management systems, virtual environments with 3D, wikis, blogs, and Google apps), and current issues that exist in a distance educational environment.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1. To develop an understanding of a systematic view of distance education in K-12, higher education, business, government, and military settings.
2. To synthesize the various theories of distance education.
3. To experience how each medium for interacting across distance shapes the cognitive, affective, and social dimensions of learning and indicate the range of individual responses to these media.
4. To identify the characteristics of the distance users (learner, instructor, and administrator) and environments.
5. To gain fluency in using various interactive media (asynchronous threaded discussion sites, synchronous multi-user virtual environments, groupware, interactive presentational media, videoconferencing), instructional frameworks (e.g., Moodle and Second Life) and e-learning applications (e.g., telementoring).
6. To develop an understanding of the instructional design models used in developing distance learning media.
7. To explain how access and accessibility issues should influence distance education programs, especially for materials design, interactivity, and usability.
8. To use the distance educational environment as a means of conducting research in an applied area.
9. To develop and facilitate a distance learning course module/unit of instruction with assessment.

Course Content

Definition and History of distance education; Needs for DE; application models of DE; Blended learning; e-learning; Internet-based programming; Learning Management System (LMS); Web 2.0 technologies (Blogs, Wikis, etc.).

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Orientation
2) Philosophies and Theories of Distance Education • Face-to-face vs. Distance vs. Hybrid Instruction: A Comparison • A Framework for E-learning • Collaborative & Transformative Learning Illustrate best practices in Turkey and the world
3) Technologies in Distance Education I • Web 2.0 & 3.0 • Net & Web-based Learning • Learning Management Systems Blogs & Wikis & LMSs
4) Technologies in Distance Education II • Learning Tools and Objects Moodle: Connect, Communicate & Collaborate
5) Issues for Distance Education Community • Learning Communities • Characteristics • Social Networking Moodle: Course Design
6) Design and Development of Interactive Distance Learning Media I • Standards • Principles • Accessibility • Universal Design Moodle: Course Development
7) Moodle: Course Facilitation & Assessment
8) Design and Development of Interactive Distance Learning Media II • Ethics • Copyright • Cultural Challenges Confirm Access to Second Life Join Second Life
9) Web-based Course Design and Development I • A Step-by-step Approach Login and Begin on Welcome Island Design Your Avatar
10) Web-based Course Design and Development II • A Step-by-step Approach Learn how to Operate Second Life Explore Educator Locations in Second Life
11) Management of Distance Education Technologies I • Administration & Policy • Quality Distance Education • PDA Model Group study on your final project
12) Management of Distance Education Technologies II • Evaluation • Educational Effectiveness • Action Matrix Group study on your final project
13) e-Research I • The Scope of e-Research • The Use of Distance Education Media in Educational Research and Practice Group study on your final project
14) e-Research II • Data Collection over the Internet and Ubiquitous Environments. Group study on your final project

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: • Rudestam, K. J., & Schoenholtz-Read, J. (2009). Handbook of online learning (2nd Ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
• Bates, A. W. (2005) Technology, e-learning and distance education. New York: Routledge.
References: • Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2006). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th Ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Moore, M. G. & Kearsley, G. (2005). Distance education: A systems view. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 10 % 20
Homework Assignments 3 % 40
Project 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Project 1 60 60
Homework Assignments 3 30 90
Total Workload 192

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To prepare the students to become communication professionals by focusing on strategic thinking, professional writing, ethical practice and innovative use of traditional and new media
2) To be able to create effective public relations plans using fundamental planning components that include situation analysis, public profile, objectives, strategies and tactics.
3) To be able to apply theoretical concepts related to mass communication, consumer behavior, psychology, persuasion,sociology, marketing, and other related fields to understand how public realtions works.
4) To be able to have the ability to explain and identify problems associated with the relationships between events and facts in the areas of public relations, persuasive communication, communication management, corporate communications.
5) To be able to analyze primary and secondary research data in the fields of perception and reputation management and corporate communication practices.
6) To be able to search, write, and design articles, newsletters, and fliers, brochures, and announcements, in styles and formats appropraite various audiences, mediums and settings.
7) To be able to apply the underlying theories of communication and the necessities of work safety to different types of public relations processes and campaigns.
8) To be able to develop creative and persuasive management skills in terms of reputation, employee relations, leadership and similar corporate practices.
9) To be able to take responsibility in an individual capacity or as a team in generating solutions to given scenarios which can occur in public relations processes.
10) To be able to understand how an organizational culture works and how employees and leaders create messages as a communication tool.
11) To be able to critically discuss and interpret theories, concepts, methods, tools and ideas in the field of public relations.
12) To be able to to use information, communication technologies and computer software with the required level of public relations, marketing communication, persuasive communication, communication management, corporate communications.
13) To be able to explain and describe business marketing activities, economics, business law and global business practices.
14) To be able to recognize national and international, social and cultural dimensions of public relations.