Strengths and Weaknesses of Distance Learning Discussion

Question Description
For this assessment, you will incorporate technology into your training and development program by designing a distance learning module Note: The assessments in this course build upon each other, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them in sequence.By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
Competency 2: Demonstrate effective training program design, development, and implementation.
Describe the information conveyed to trainees in the distance learning module.
Articulate how a distance learning module fits into the overall training program design.Strengths and Weaknesses of Distance Learning Discussion
Competency 3: Demonstrate effective training program measurement and evaluation.
Illustrate how practice and feedback are incorporated to measure the transfer of learning.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of distance learning on an organization’s training strategy.
Competency 4: Assess the impact of technology on an organization’s training strategy.
Analyze how distance learning supports employee development.
Competency 5: Identify effective organizational processes and roles for employee development.
Evaluate the effectiveness of measurements used for a distance learning module in the training and development program.
Competency Map

Context
A distance learning module in a training program can be used in the following ways:
Before a group training, to develop the group’s basic skills or knowledge.
During the training program, to supplement classroom training.
After the training program, to follow up.Strengths and Weaknesses of Distance Learning Discussion
To be effective, a distance learning module in a training program must contain:
Information the trainees have not previously learned.
Practice or the opportunity to do what has just been learned.
Feedback on what was practiced correctly or what went wrong.

Questions to Consider
As you work to complete this assessment, you may find it helpful to consider the questions below. You are encouraged to discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community, in order to deepen your understanding of the topics.
What diversity and cross-cultural factors might you consider in the design of your distance learning module?
What impact might the age of trainees have on the use of technology in training?

Resources
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.
Library Resources
The following resources are provided for you in the Capella University Library and are linked directly in this course.
Wagner, R. J., Vanevenhoven, J. P., & Bronson, J. (2010). A top ten list for successful online courses. Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 6(2), 542.

Course Library Guide
A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the BUS-FP4047 – Employee Training and Development Library Guide to help direct your research.
Bookstore Resources
The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.
Blanchard, N. P., & Thacker, J. (2013). Effective training (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Chapter 7.
Assessment Instructions
REQUIREMENTS
For this assessment, complete the following:
Describe the information conveyed to trainees in the distance learning module.
Articulate how a distance learning module fits into the overall training program design.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of distance learning on an organization’s training strategy.
Illustrate how practice and feedback are incorporated to measure the transfer of learning.
Analyze how distance learning supports employee development.
Evaluate the effectiveness of measurements used for a distance learning module in the training and development program.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Written communication: Written communication is in a professional style with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.
APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style.
Headings: Incorporate level headings according to current APA style.
Length: A typical response will be 3–5 typed, double-spaced pages.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
References: Use at least two references.

You must proofread your paper. But do not strictly rely on your computer’s spell-checker and grammar-checker; failure to do so indicates a lack of effort on your part and you can expect your grade to suffer accordingly. Papers with numerous misspelled words and grammatical mistakes will be penalized. Read over your paper – in silence and then aloud – before handing it in and make corrections as necessary. Often it is advantageous to have a friend proofread your paper for obvious errors. Handwritten corrections are preferable to uncorrected mistakes.

Use a standard 10 to 12 point (10 to 12 characters per inch) typeface. Smaller or compressed type and papers with small margins or single-spacing are hard to read. It is better to let your essay run over the recommended number of pages than to try to compress it into fewer pages.

Likewise, large type, large margins, large indentations, triple-spacing, increased leading (space between lines), increased kerning (space between letters), and any other such attempts at “padding” to increase the length of a paper are unacceptable, wasteful of trees, and will not fool your professor.Strengths and Weaknesses of Distance Learning Discussion

The paper must be neatly formatted, double-spaced with a one-inch margin on the top, bottom, and sides of each page. When submitting hard copy, be sure to use white paper and print out using dark ink. If it is hard to read your essay, it will also be hard to follow your argument.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, include a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
One or two sentence responses, simple statements of agreement or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.
Weekly Participation

Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.
APA Format and Writing Quality

Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.
Use of Direct Quotes

I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’ level and deduct points accordingly.
As Masters’ level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.
LopesWrite Policy

For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.
Late Policy

The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.
Communication

Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me:
Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.