Contact Info
Educational Technology
300 West 12th Street
Rolla, MO 65409
(573) 341-4131
edtech@mst.edu

DEFINITIONS

EdTech has assembled definitions of common terms used in relation to educational technology, online learning, and blended learning. It is important that everyone on our campus engaged in using technology to enhance instruction are able to understand one another when these terms and phrases are used in everyday conversation:

Word Definition Source
Online Learning Instruction / Learning is completely done by utilizing technology National Science Foundation, Task Force on Cyberlearning. (2008). Fostering Learning in the Networked World: The Cyberlearning Opportunity and Challenge, A 21st Century Agenda for the National Science Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08204/nsf08204.pdf
Cyberlearning The use of networked computing and communications technologies to support learning National Science Foundation, Task Force on Cyberlearning. (2008). Fostering Learning in the Networked World: The Cyberlearning Opportunity and Challenge, A 21st Century Agenda for the National Science Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2008/nsf08204/nsf08204.pdf
eLearning Pedagogy empowered by digital technology Nichols, M. (2008). E-Learning in context. http://akoaotearoa.ac.nz/sites/default/files/ng/group-661/n877-1---e-learning-in-context.pdf
Blended Learning Blended learning is learning that is facilitated by the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching and styles of learning, and is based on transparent communication amongst all parties involved with a course Heinze, A.; C. Procter (2004). "Reflections on the Use of Blended Learning" in Education in a Changing Environment.
 
Distance Education

Distance Learning		 A field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology with the aim of delivering teaching, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom. It has been described as "a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both”.

At Missouri S&T this includes all video courses provided by the Video Communications Center (VCC)		 Distance education. (2011, May 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:48, May 13, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Distance_education&oldid=427160362
Online Delivery Occurs when 80% or more of the course material is delivered by some remote electronically assisted means and typically there are no face-to-face meetings Sloan-C Foundation Definitions - Allen, I. E. & Seaman, J.  (2008). Staying the Course, Online Education in the United States, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf
Blended/Hybrid
 Delivery		 Occurs when 30% to 79% of the course is online Sloan-C Foundation Definitions - Allen, I. E. & Seaman, J.  (2008). Staying the Course, Online Education in the United States, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf
Web Facilitated Occurs when 1% to 29% of the course uses web-based technology Sloan-C Foundation Definitions - Allen, I. E. & Seaman, J.  (2008). Staying the Course, Online Education in the United States, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf
Video Broadcast Video of an instructor that is broadcast to students not located in the room  
Synchronous Simultaneous or "real-time" computer-based instruction "Distance Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions: 2006-07," National Center for Education Statistics, 2008, http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009044 (retrieved May 14, 2009).
Asynchronous Not based on simultaneous computer-based instruction "Distance Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions: 2006-07," National Center for Education Statistics, 2008, http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009044 (retrieved May 14, 2009).