Distance Learning (Eagle-Vision) - Research Paper Example

 Distance Learning (Eagle-Vision) Abstract The distance education system of the modern times has undergone significant transformation since its origin and has emerged as one of the fastest growing education models in the contemporary education sector. It is generally used as a tool for teaching, training and both formal and informal subjects. As identifiable in this regards, the innovation and advancement of new technologies have significantly impacted the education system. The open distance education system has also become more dependent on information and communication technology. Herewith, the literature review presented in this paper discusses the role of Eagle Vision as a modern technology in distance education system and the influences it has caused on the education system thereupon. The review analyses the benefits educational institutes, teachers as well as the students can enjoy by implementing Eagle Vision as the medium for online and distance education. The review also identifies the opportunities that users, comprising both students and instructors, can avail by deploying Eagle Vision for distance education. It also discusses the ways this technology has helped in reducing various problems faced by the education institutes as well by individual students and instructors in education system. Literature Review on Distance Learning (Eagle-Vision) Eagle Vision was designed to provide online training for high school students regarding subjects, such as math, science, social studies and technology. It also aimed to incorporate Geographic Integrated System (GIT) into the classrooms to enhance the reach of the education system in the global context. Gradually, Eagle Vision, powered by Saba Technology, has become a latest technology deployed in distance education system, which provides the benefits of a live classroom aided with virtual and interactive programs. Since its launch in 2007, Eagle Vision is implemented by many renowned educational institutes worldwide, to provide classroom lectures to students, globally. For instance, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) provides online education to more than 36000 students around the globe with the aid of Eagle Vision to offer various professional, graduate and undergraduate courses. This infers that the implementation of Eagle Vision technology has helped ERAU significantly in reaching students worldwide and assisting them with live interactive classes (ERAU, 2007). Objective of study The objective of this study is to identify the impact of Eagle Vision on distance and open education systems currently practices in the contemporary education sector. The study also intends to recognise the benefits provided by Eagle Vision to its users all over the world and to discuss regarding the active users and the way it has helped them in their education system. Based on these objectives, the following questions will be answered in this study. a. What factors affect a student’s choice about being taught by Eagle Vision? b. What is the preferred method of teaching for students? c. What are the possible impacts of a college only being taught by Eagle Vision? Factors That Affect Student’s Choice about Being Taught by Eagle Vision As per Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (2014), Eagle Vision has benefited the users in many ways. It has proved very effective in serving students all over the world and has enabled the faculty to avoid travelling burden otherwise caused by the geographical disparities. It has enabled the faculty members to lecture students in classrooms scattered globally from their base point, thereby reducing the expenses and providing more convenience to the instructors as well as to the students (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2014). Apparently, Eagle Vision has intensively minimized the cancellations of courses caused due to the low enrolment at specific campuses, which otherwise could have failed to meet the costs of an instructor to teach the course. However, now students in different campuses worldwide can be collaborated through Eagle Vision classrooms and be instructed at once, eliminating similar kind of obstacles (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2014). According to Datzman (2012), Eagle Vision provides an interactive environment and enables real time learning virtually. Eagle Vision Classroom also enables students to connect with the teachers or instructors from classrooms located worldwide through web, which backs two way communication and face-to face video and voice interaction. On the other hand, Eagle Vision Home allows students to connect from remote places, also enabling those students to interact with teachers and fellow students around the world. In addition, Eagle Vision enhances better collaboration wherein the courses can also be recorded, which can be then reviewed and revised as per the requirements of the students. The high definition video provided by Eagle Vision is a more intuitive interface, as it enhances the quality and experiences to the students of learning and interacting through chatting, polling, application and whiteboard sharing (Datzman, 2012). Method Preferred of Teaching for Students According to ERAU (2014), Eagle Vision was introduced by Embry Riddle in 2007, which offers innovative methods of learning for students. It aims to offer students with both synchronous and asynchronous learning facilities. Through synchronous learning, students can interact lively with their teachers, ask real time questions and get answers instantly. It helps much in tough and heavy content subjects, such as science, maths and physics wherein students require continuous monitoring. In asynchronous learning, students have the opportunity to complete the assignments independently and at their convenient timing, but within the stipulated time, which is much flexible than the conventional mode of study (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2014). Eagle Vision also enables students to gain access to lectures provided by top faculty members in respective subjects, which can help students in better understanding of the courses. As per Saba (2012), it has also eliminated the problems caused to students due to the different teaching methods of the colleges, as they can refer to a single instructor or teacher, which is more preferred by the students. According to Saba (2012), it also offers students with various preferable modes of learning, as the classroom learning enables students to learn at more than 150 locations worldwide with scheduled classes and direct collaboration with the instructors through Eagle Vision. Eagle Vision classroom and home further enables students to attend lessons through video conferences at their convenience. Online learning also enables creating own schedules and independent learning from anywhere in the world as it also allows to combine learning modes as suitable for own lifestyle (Saba, 2012). Impact of a College Being Taught By Eagle Vision Embry-Riddle Worldwide saw the need for the distance education platform to offer education for busy students in a more flexible way, considering the obligations of the students with regards to their carrier and family. Embry Riddle, with the aid of Eagle Vision, is providing low cost but high quality education to students worldwide, paring the right instructors with the right classrooms. With the increasing speed in the advancement of technology, it is important that the education system not only values student’s conveniences with high priority but also ensures good quality education to the pupils. The realisation of this need enabled Embry-Riddle to move forward with technology advancement to satisfy the student’s requirements, which started with physical mailing, then into audio and video cassettes, to WebCT and Blackboard and has now led to real time interaction through Eagle Vision (Herron et al., n.d.). As per Garten (n.d.), many colleges and educational organisations today use this form of education system giving positive reviews about Eagle Vision. Apparently, the students in colleges worldwide have been significantly benefited by the Eagle Vision classes. The classes have provided the students with international education system along with access to much qualified instructors to teach, which otherwise would not have been possible. Eagle Vision provides the students with top class instructors irrespective of the subjects, which has enabled a better understanding and enhanced the education of students commendably. On the other hand, Eagle Vision offers more choices of courses to students worldwide, which may not be available in their respective locations; thus, enhancing the standards of education to the next higher level (Garten, n.d.). Conclusion The success of the Eagle Vision has been the result of the dual efforts of Embry-Riddle and Saba Technology. Eagle Vision’s education technique to deliver education through technology successfully replicates the real world experiences and is becoming a preferred mode for delivery among the students. Subsequently, the demand for EV classes has been increasing every year as it has set a new trend of educational model beside the traditional classroom system. The implications of Eagle Vision technology in future education therefore seem very promising. References Datzman, Ken. ( 2012). Brevard Business News. Eagle Vision Classroom Powers Embry–Riddle; Melbourne Open House, Vol. 30 No. 10. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. (2014). Technology for the Modern Student. Retrieved from: http://worldwide.erau.edu/about-worldwide/technology-modern-student/ ERAU. (2007). Embry-Riddle Worldwide Launches EagleVision. Retrieved from: http://worldwide.erau.edu/newsroom/press-releases/embry-riddle-worldwide-launches-eaglevision.html Garten, H. L. (n.d.). Using Technology to Create Degree Specific Mathematics Courses. Retrieved from: http://archives.math.utk.edu/ICTCM/VOL25/S116/paper.pdf Herron, R.I., Ebner, C. H., Shomate A. K., and Szathmary, K. J. (n.d.). Large Scale Quality Engineering in Distance Learning Programs. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, Volume 16: Iss. 5, 19-35 Saba. (2012). Saba-based EagleVision helps Embry-Riddle’s lofty educational goals take flight. Retrieved from: http://www.saba.com/media/261274/cs_embry_riddle_web.pdf Read More