A personal experience of learning with print and learning with electronic media in open and distance education

Abstract

This paper is a personal exploration of the experiences of learning from print and learning using electronic media. The discussion is based on the way the author and other students experienced learning from both print and electronic media during a course which was offered by the British Open University in 2002. The course, H802: Applications of Information Technology in Open and Distance Education, was a distance learning course that used both print and electronic forms of media. Using evaluative comments captured during the course, I have attempted to map out the effects both forms of media have on learning interactions. The pedagogic functions of each media type in the same course are highlighted. Implications for designing instruction in a distance learning environment using different media are then finally presented.