This last point is where Interact can help. In the past, we’ve focused on quizzes for lead generation, but as you know, quizzes can also be a great learning assessment tool. I’ll share some examples of distance learning quizzes and show you how to create a distance learning quiz of your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ready? Let’s dive in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Distance Learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDistance learning, also known as distance education, is a type of learning where there are no in-person classes. Interestingly, distance learning has been around for centuries. In the past, people learned via correspondence courses, and later via broadcast educational programs. Apart from submitting assignments and getting feedback by mail, students had almost no contact with teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Distance Education vs Online Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOne thing that sometimes gets confusing is the difference between online learning and distance learning. Online learning is education that takes place on the web. Confusion between them arises because teachers can use online learning to complement face-to-face instruction. For example, that happens when teachers integrate YouTube videos and online quizzes with in-person lessons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While online learning is now integral to many distance learning programs<\/a>, distance education is always remote. Strictly speaking, true distance education doesn’t require in-person interaction, even if students and teachers use digital tools for communication. In practice, though, those lines are blurred all the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy is Distance Learning So Relevant Today?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDistance learning is more relevant than ever in a world that continues to struggle with COVID-19. Over several months, we’ve seen countries shift from full lockdown to partial reopening and then back to full lockdown. So far, what’s clear is that reducing face-to-face contact reduces the likely spread of the novel coronavirus. And that’s why many educational institutions are looking to incorporate distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Challenges of In-Person Education During a Pandemic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe challenges with in-person education are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Use of class space as many institutions can only accommodate 50% or less of the student body to comply with health recommendations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Group activities are difficult to arrange if people need to maintain the recommended social distance of six feet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Policing social interaction when people attend gatherings without observing social distancing recommendations <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Distance education using online learning technologies represents a workable alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pros and Cons of Distance Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSome of the benefits of distance education for teachers include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Accessibility<\/strong>\u2014you can teach from anywhere, provided you have a reliable internet connection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Availability<\/strong>\u2014using distance learning means students won’t have their education interrupted every time external circumstances change<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flexibility<\/strong>\u2014it usually allows for students and teachers to work at the time that suits them best<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Breadth<\/strong>\u2014if you use online learning, then the resources available for creating classes and promoting learning opportunities are almost limitless<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There are also some potential disadvantages teachers may experience, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Not everyone has a robust internet connection<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- It’s hard to know whether students are actually doing the work <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A lack of engagement because there’s little face-to-face interaction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Statistics on the Growth of Distance Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDistance learning has long been a popular form of education, especially for those who are balancing their education with careers and family responsibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Economic Forum<\/a> believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever. In fact, it’s safe to say that it’s sped up a trend that was already happening. The stats show that in the space of a month, the number of students whose education was impacted by the pandemic moved from 0.3 billion to 1.38 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"graph](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/VK6T0kYI2NpFAN8tNT2bW1qJaRHFvoFzIGUfciIeBaJ2Lb09XIOTT149NVmwS66iiieiwFsVysmh_JuGN9PqmPkOp-kQ6dQtrveijrtOoM3wJTzKlJro4krwN40UfYzY8EpWkElq\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nImage source: World Economic Forum<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe National Center for Education Statistics<\/a> (NCES) shows that in the fall of 2018, 35.3% of U.S. students (almost 7 million people) were enrolled in distance education programs. Inside Higher Ed<\/a> also shows that 34.7% of college students have taken at least one online class. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause of the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning is likely to become even more common. For example, the State of Oregon Employment Department<\/a> reveals that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- More younger students are choosing online programs so they can learn at their own pace<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Distance learning is growing at a faster pace than overall enrollment <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The number of college students taking online-only courses has increased nearly 2.5x in just ten years<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Growth](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/j8_YlLUcRc9e01CdC4qB0tPEkg_Ou5-NK5tdLTjSjPe2sE2afYCpSQB-DzuAaIj27u4R95DkOSWM_LRPR6Ua6ItJLOL4AuvTvXiz-jQBlHR3K8fsNN9qsVe2oHqVd-U1khUiFE83\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nImage source: State of Oregon Employment Department<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nA recent study<\/a> suggests that distance learning is likely to grow by 10.8% each year through 2023. The drivers of that growth include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- The increasing recognition of non-traditional qualifications<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flexibility around the time and location of education<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accessibility<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
So, how can you, as a teacher, be ready for this shift? Let\u2019s take a look at the types of distance education, and how this trend relates to teachers. I’ll also cover technology, best practices, and integrating distance learning quizzes into your classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Are the Different Types of Distance Learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs mentioned earlier, distance education has evolved a lot over the years. We’ve come a long way since the days of mail-in correspondence courses. But before we get into the technology, let’s look at some of the current approaches to distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Distance Education: Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTwo terms you’ll hear a lot when talking about distance learning are synchronous and asynchronous education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Synchronous learning is where everyone takes part in lessons at a given time, similar to classroom teaching. You set a time for the online class, webinar, or video-conferencing meetup, and everyone learns together. The value of synchronous learning is real-time interaction between students and teachers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the potential disadvantage is that students need access to technology at set times. While some homes may have access to multiple computers, others won’t. That might make synchronous learning impossible for some students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asynchronous learning means students can work through course content at a time and in a way that suits them, without being required to attend a Zoom or Google Meet meeting at a set time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This can be a big advantage for students, allowing them to speed through material they understand and linger on material they don\u2019t have a grasp on. Asynchronous learning is flexible, but there’s less interaction among students, and they have to wait longer for teacher feedback. However, asynchronous learning works well for students who don’t have consistent access to the internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Distance Learning: Remote vs Hybrid Teaching<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs we’ve seen, some types of distance education are fully remote, which means that students and teachers never interact in real time in a classroom space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there’s another option that some schools and colleges are adopting: hybrid teaching. That’s where teachers combine in-person teaching with distance learning within the same course. Some educational institutions are coping during the ongoing pandemic by dividing up their student cohort, which means some students may be present in a classroom while others follow along remotely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, hybrid approaches aren’t new. Inside Higher Ed<\/a>‘s survey showed that in 2019, 46% of faculty had taught an online course, up from 44% the previous year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Growth](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/63qg-4IulqT58B3-Msa8SYcyi7VnpV8ejyHXa-aYKorky1ORZpixVN5b2TP0WpezbZxHJrYYrLyHx7uvDwLfQMPZpyye7F5vOzMjNOKQa7JklxHqfuwJxwRWi97A7ZH-uY0h42Te\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nImage source: Inside Higher Ed<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Does Distance Learning Relate to Me as a Teacher?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs a teacher, you’ve seen a lot of upheaval over the last few months, and this looks set to continue as the global COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating. You’ve likely moved from emergency remote teaching (attempting to replicate the classroom experience) to thinking more long term about what education will look like in the future. You’re not alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Inside Higher Ed, 25% of teachers have taught online for more than 10 years. Many of these teachers have seen benefits including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Using learning management systems more effectively<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improved teaching skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Engaging students with multimedia content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- More experimentation and innovation <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some 69% of instructors who moved from face-to-face to blended or hybrid approaches also found they incorporated more active learning activities into their classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many educators agree that it is<\/em> possible to achieve equivalent student outcomes through distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIssues to Consider as You Prepare For Distance Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs you prepare for distance education, there are a few aspects of the process you’ll need to think about, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Course planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Learning management systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Communication<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Content delivery<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Student engagement<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assessment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let’s look at these in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Course Planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDistance education isn’t just about replicating in-class teaching online. It’s important to design student experiences correctly from the start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Catlin Tucker gives one option for doing that with the 5Es model<\/a>: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate. And eLearn Magazine<\/a> <\/em>suggests using a Universal Design for Learning approach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"5E](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/1VRHj_WBjiCMrJp-dwh2HPDzDXUKHKzGD9Sso7WpG-4Kfqn5GHuAyfasgKeAT50uB_yt1cDiUyK5tnCO8WIEBcxZr1blz8_AydmxJSbQno2zClId1bmuD7dsxuQ8exXxcqeti2xT\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nImage source: <\/em>CatlinTucker.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen you think about this at the start of your course building process, you can easily create appropriate learning objectives, choose the right content formats, and work out how you will assess learning. A survey from Inside Higher Ed<\/a> revealed that two-thirds of educators changed their assignments when moving to remote teaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\nOne of the big advantages of distance learning for students is flexibility. By using different resources, you can allow students to find their own way through course material, giving them more freedom in how they learn. Note, though, that while this works for some students, others need more guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning Management System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you’re teaching in a school or college, it’s likely that your institution will already have some kind of learning management system (LMS). An LMS usually includes the facility to create, administer, and assess courses, using a variety of content types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One LMS that’s frequently used these days is Google Classroom<\/a>, but there are many others<\/a>. Whether you’re using Moodle<\/a>, Blackboard<\/a>, Canvas<\/a>, or something else, these tools serve as a hub for all course material and teacher\u2013student interaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\nLearning management systems<\/a> are essential for keeping everything organized and reducing stress levels. You can even keep your LMS super simple, using an online document as a hub pointing to different resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you’re not using an LMS, you’ll likely still need the following technology to deliver your distance learning program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- A video or screencasting tool<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- An audio recording tool<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A messaging system<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCommunication is the key to keeping everyone feeling connected to course content. Typically, distance learning courses will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Synchronous communication while live sessions are going on, making use of the chat capabilities in tools like Zoom<\/a>, Google Meet<\/a>, and Microsoft Teams<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Asynchronous communication via emails, messages, discussion boards, and chat features in virtual classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Some teachers choose to hold regular sessions to update students (and parents if necessary) about what’s happening in class. And they record those sessions for those who aren’t able to access sessions live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Content Delivery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThese days, you’ve got plenty of options for delivering course content, including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Reading material<\/strong> like PDFs or annotated PDFs, Word documents or Google documents, and websites like Khan Academy<\/a> and other online course sites <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Presentations<\/strong> either created yourself or pulled from sites like Slideshare and other presentation apps<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Audio files<\/strong> either recorded yourself or pulled from podcasting or educational sites<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Screencasts<\/strong>, which are great for demos<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Videos <\/strong>either recorded yourself or shared from YouTube<\/a>, Vimeo<\/a>, and other sites<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Websites,<\/strong> using tools like Wix<\/a>, Weebly<\/a>, and Google Sites<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Interactive tools and virtual tours can also contribute to an enriching distance learning experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Student Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSince classes moved online, it’s more important for teachers to make a connection with their students. The eLearn Magazine<\/em> article cited earlier suggests several ways of keeping students engaged, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Giving students multiple ways to interact with course content<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Assigning students as notetakers in rotation during live sessions (this also helps those who aren’t able to attend in person)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Using flexible presentation methods and interactive discussions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt’s also important to give students multiple ways to show what they\u2019ve learned. This can include creating digital resources like infographics, and making their own presentations, podcasts, screencasts, and videos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, quizzes are a useful and interactive way to check that your students understand course material. You can create quizzes on microbiology<\/a>, physics<\/a>, communication<\/a>, or any other topic. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Build a Distance Learning Quiz<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHere are some key points you’ll want to think about when building a quiz for distance learning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Identify your audience<\/strong>. You’ll change quiz questions and answers depending on whether your quiz is for elementary school, high school, or college students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Select a quiz template<\/strong>. Interact has several pre-prepared quizzes to help you get started quickly. You\u2019ll also benefit from stock imagery related to your quiz topic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Go through the quiz questions<\/strong>. Adjust questions and potential answers depending on your audience and what you’re trying to assess. If you’re working with younger students, you might use true-false questions to test their knowledge. With older students, multiple-choice questions or those with open answers might be better choices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Once you\u2019re finished, you\u2019ll be ready to launch your quiz. For more instruction on designing an educational quiz, see Interact’s guide to creating a learning styles quiz<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5 Distance Learning Quiz Examples<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nDistance learning quizzes can help engage students because they’re interactive. They are easy to assess and give students immediate feedback to help them to improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking for inspiration to create your own distance learning quiz? Check out these five examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>What Type Of Teacher Are You?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis seven-question quiz allows a quick assessment of your teaching style. It includes both true-false questions and checkbox questions. Once complete, you\u2019ll see the pros and cons of your teaching style. This could easily be adapted for students to assess what kind of student they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. <\/strong>The Learning Style Quiz<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThere are different kinds of teachers, and there are different kinds of students, too. Knowing students’ learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or linguistic) can help you design courses that really engage all<\/em> of your students. <\/p>\n\n\n\nYou’ll also figure out which students work better alone and which prefer group work. With 80 questions, this is a long quiz, but it\u2019s totally worth it. There’s also a shorter version<\/a> for younger children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. <\/strong>What Type Of Reader Are You?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn an era of short attention spans, it’s useful to know if your students like to read. Again, this can help you decide on the content mix for a particular class. If reading is hard work for some, including more multimedia could be an option. And if you have a class of avid readers, bring on the handouts! Use this five-question quiz and adjust your course content accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. <\/strong>STEM Potential Career Fit<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEven career guidance can move online. If you need to advise students about suitable careers, this five-question quiz about STEM careers is a good starting point. You can create this for any career, building in characteristics and personality traits, and providing results about job scope and salary. It’s a good resource to help you advise students on the courses they should take to prepare for their chosen career paths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. <\/strong>What Type Of Noticer Are You?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile this short quiz is geared to in-person classes, you can adapt it to find out what your students are paying attention to and how they feel about course material. And, of course, you can also adapt this quiz for any situation you want to learn more about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These quizzes are just a starting point. Remember, you can use quizzes to engage students, to help them review course material, and for assessment. Check out the different quizzes available on the Interact site for even more inspiration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWell, there you have it\u2014a comprehensive guide to distance education. You’ve learned what distance learning is, why distance education is relevant today, how to plan your distance learning program, and how to integrate distance learning quizzes into your courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There’s quite a lot to think about, but armed with this guide, you can totally do it. Distance learning quizzes will help you create a great teaching and learning experience for both you and your students, while getting you ready for the future of education post-COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thanks for taking the time to read through it all. I hope you find it helpful in creating distance learning courses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whether you’re a teacher, professor, or instructor, here’s everything you need to know to build quizzes for distance learning environments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":11161,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tutorials"],"yoast_head":"\n
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One thing that sometimes gets confusing is the difference between online learning and distance learning. Online learning is education that takes place on the web. Confusion between them arises because teachers can use online learning to complement face-to-face instruction. For example, that happens when teachers integrate YouTube videos and online quizzes with in-person lessons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While online learning is now integral to many distance learning programs<\/a>, distance education is always remote. Strictly speaking, true distance education doesn’t require in-person interaction, even if students and teachers use digital tools for communication. In practice, though, those lines are blurred all the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance learning is more relevant than ever in a world that continues to struggle with COVID-19. Over several months, we’ve seen countries shift from full lockdown to partial reopening and then back to full lockdown. So far, what’s clear is that reducing face-to-face contact reduces the likely spread of the novel coronavirus. And that’s why many educational institutions are looking to incorporate distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The challenges with in-person education are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance education using online learning technologies represents a workable alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the benefits of distance education for teachers include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also some potential disadvantages teachers may experience, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance learning has long been a popular form of education, especially for those who are balancing their education with careers and family responsibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The World Economic Forum<\/a> believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever. In fact, it’s safe to say that it’s sped up a trend that was already happening. The stats show that in the space of a month, the number of students whose education was impacted by the pandemic moved from 0.3 billion to 1.38 billion.<\/p>\n\n\n Image source: World Economic Forum<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The National Center for Education Statistics<\/a> (NCES) shows that in the fall of 2018, 35.3% of U.S. students (almost 7 million people) were enrolled in distance education programs. Inside Higher Ed<\/a> also shows that 34.7% of college students have taken at least one online class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning is likely to become even more common. For example, the State of Oregon Employment Department<\/a> reveals that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Image source: State of Oregon Employment Department<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A recent study<\/a> suggests that distance learning is likely to grow by 10.8% each year through 2023. The drivers of that growth include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how can you, as a teacher, be ready for this shift? Let\u2019s take a look at the types of distance education, and how this trend relates to teachers. I’ll also cover technology, best practices, and integrating distance learning quizzes into your classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned earlier, distance education has evolved a lot over the years. We’ve come a long way since the days of mail-in correspondence courses. But before we get into the technology, let’s look at some of the current approaches to distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two terms you’ll hear a lot when talking about distance learning are synchronous and asynchronous education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Synchronous learning is where everyone takes part in lessons at a given time, similar to classroom teaching. You set a time for the online class, webinar, or video-conferencing meetup, and everyone learns together. The value of synchronous learning is real-time interaction between students and teachers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the potential disadvantage is that students need access to technology at set times. While some homes may have access to multiple computers, others won’t. That might make synchronous learning impossible for some students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asynchronous learning means students can work through course content at a time and in a way that suits them, without being required to attend a Zoom or Google Meet meeting at a set time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be a big advantage for students, allowing them to speed through material they understand and linger on material they don\u2019t have a grasp on. Asynchronous learning is flexible, but there’s less interaction among students, and they have to wait longer for teacher feedback. However, asynchronous learning works well for students who don’t have consistent access to the internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we’ve seen, some types of distance education are fully remote, which means that students and teachers never interact in real time in a classroom space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But there’s another option that some schools and colleges are adopting: hybrid teaching. That’s where teachers combine in-person teaching with distance learning within the same course. Some educational institutions are coping during the ongoing pandemic by dividing up their student cohort, which means some students may be present in a classroom while others follow along remotely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, hybrid approaches aren’t new. Inside Higher Ed<\/a>‘s survey showed that in 2019, 46% of faculty had taught an online course, up from 44% the previous year. <\/p>\n\n\n Image source: Inside Higher Ed<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a teacher, you’ve seen a lot of upheaval over the last few months, and this looks set to continue as the global COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating. You’ve likely moved from emergency remote teaching (attempting to replicate the classroom experience) to thinking more long term about what education will look like in the future. You’re not alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Inside Higher Ed, 25% of teachers have taught online for more than 10 years. Many of these teachers have seen benefits including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some 69% of instructors who moved from face-to-face to blended or hybrid approaches also found they incorporated more active learning activities into their classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many educators agree that it is<\/em> possible to achieve equivalent student outcomes through distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you prepare for distance education, there are a few aspects of the process you’ll need to think about, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s look at these in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance education isn’t just about replicating in-class teaching online. It’s important to design student experiences correctly from the start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Catlin Tucker gives one option for doing that with the 5Es model<\/a>: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate. And eLearn Magazine<\/a> <\/em>suggests using a Universal Design for Learning approach. <\/p>\n\n\n Image source: <\/em>CatlinTucker.com<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you think about this at the start of your course building process, you can easily create appropriate learning objectives, choose the right content formats, and work out how you will assess learning. A survey from Inside Higher Ed<\/a> revealed that two-thirds of educators changed their assignments when moving to remote teaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the big advantages of distance learning for students is flexibility. By using different resources, you can allow students to find their own way through course material, giving them more freedom in how they learn. Note, though, that while this works for some students, others need more guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re teaching in a school or college, it’s likely that your institution will already have some kind of learning management system (LMS). An LMS usually includes the facility to create, administer, and assess courses, using a variety of content types. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One LMS that’s frequently used these days is Google Classroom<\/a>, but there are many others<\/a>. Whether you’re using Moodle<\/a>, Blackboard<\/a>, Canvas<\/a>, or something else, these tools serve as a hub for all course material and teacher\u2013student interaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning management systems<\/a> are essential for keeping everything organized and reducing stress levels. You can even keep your LMS super simple, using an online document as a hub pointing to different resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re not using an LMS, you’ll likely still need the following technology to deliver your distance learning program:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Communication is the key to keeping everyone feeling connected to course content. Typically, distance learning courses will include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some teachers choose to hold regular sessions to update students (and parents if necessary) about what’s happening in class. And they record those sessions for those who aren’t able to access sessions live. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These days, you’ve got plenty of options for delivering course content, including: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Interactive tools and virtual tours can also contribute to an enriching distance learning experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since classes moved online, it’s more important for teachers to make a connection with their students. The eLearn Magazine<\/em> article cited earlier suggests several ways of keeping students engaged, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s also important to give students multiple ways to show what they\u2019ve learned. This can include creating digital resources like infographics, and making their own presentations, podcasts, screencasts, and videos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, quizzes are a useful and interactive way to check that your students understand course material. You can create quizzes on microbiology<\/a>, physics<\/a>, communication<\/a>, or any other topic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some key points you’ll want to think about when building a quiz for distance learning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re finished, you\u2019ll be ready to launch your quiz. For more instruction on designing an educational quiz, see Interact’s guide to creating a learning styles quiz<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance learning quizzes can help engage students because they’re interactive. They are easy to assess and give students immediate feedback to help them to improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking for inspiration to create your own distance learning quiz? Check out these five examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n This seven-question quiz allows a quick assessment of your teaching style. It includes both true-false questions and checkbox questions. Once complete, you\u2019ll see the pros and cons of your teaching style. This could easily be adapted for students to assess what kind of student they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are different kinds of teachers, and there are different kinds of students, too. Knowing students’ learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or linguistic) can help you design courses that really engage all<\/em> of your students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll also figure out which students work better alone and which prefer group work. With 80 questions, this is a long quiz, but it\u2019s totally worth it. There’s also a shorter version<\/a> for younger children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an era of short attention spans, it’s useful to know if your students like to read. Again, this can help you decide on the content mix for a particular class. If reading is hard work for some, including more multimedia could be an option. And if you have a class of avid readers, bring on the handouts! Use this five-question quiz and adjust your course content accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even career guidance can move online. If you need to advise students about suitable careers, this five-question quiz about STEM careers is a good starting point. You can create this for any career, building in characteristics and personality traits, and providing results about job scope and salary. It’s a good resource to help you advise students on the courses they should take to prepare for their chosen career paths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While this short quiz is geared to in-person classes, you can adapt it to find out what your students are paying attention to and how they feel about course material. And, of course, you can also adapt this quiz for any situation you want to learn more about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These quizzes are just a starting point. Remember, you can use quizzes to engage students, to help them review course material, and for assessment. Check out the different quizzes available on the Interact site for even more inspiration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, there you have it\u2014a comprehensive guide to distance education. You’ve learned what distance learning is, why distance education is relevant today, how to plan your distance learning program, and how to integrate distance learning quizzes into your courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s quite a lot to think about, but armed with this guide, you can totally do it. Distance learning quizzes will help you create a great teaching and learning experience for both you and your students, while getting you ready for the future of education post-COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks for taking the time to read through it all. I hope you find it helpful in creating distance learning courses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Whether you’re a teacher, professor, or instructor, here’s everything you need to know to build quizzes for distance learning environments.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":11161,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tutorials"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy is Distance Learning So Relevant Today?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Challenges of In-Person Education During a Pandemic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Pros and Cons of Distance Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Statistics on the Growth of Distance Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
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What Are the Different Types of Distance Learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Distance Education: Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Distance Learning: Remote vs Hybrid Teaching<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does Distance Learning Relate to Me as a Teacher?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Issues to Consider as You Prepare For Distance Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Course Planning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Learning Management System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Content Delivery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Student Engagement<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to Build a Distance Learning Quiz<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
5 Distance Learning Quiz Examples<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>What Type Of Teacher Are You?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. <\/strong>The Learning Style Quiz<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. <\/strong>What Type Of Reader Are You?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. <\/strong>STEM Potential Career Fit<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. <\/strong>What Type Of Noticer Are You?<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n