Development of Effective Distance Learning in Response to Covid - 19 Pandemic

Abstract

As the COVID-19 Pandemic ravages the world, it is essential to examine the effectiveness of instructional and technological tools for distance education that were developed during the pandemic crisis. This paper provides techniques for effective remote instruction and examples of educational tools used during the pandemic at the United States Coast Guard Academy. The authors posit that distance education should be designed to promote study and investigation within authentic, realistic, relevant, and information-rich contexts; with a focus on instruments that consider students’ individual needs and learning styles. Remote learning should encourage student responsibility, initiative, decision making, and intentional learning and cultivate an atmosphere of cooperative learning among students and teachers. This is best accomplished by utilizing dynamic, generative learning activities that promote analysis, experimentation, synthesis, problem solving, and assesses student progress in learning through realistic tasks and performances. The paper presents how effective distance education can be delivered by focusing on learning resources, pedagogy, learner support and management.