Chapter 1

Introduction
English now is one of the most important skill in our life. The globalization demands us
to has ability in English. Almost all aspects in our life such as sport, entertainment, health, and
business use English now in its instruction. If we apply for the job vacancy, the ability in English
is always considered in accepting the applicant. Since it is important in our life English now is
become a need for all people to follow the globalization.
The important of English in our life makes us try hard to learn it. Even our formal
education system includes English in its curriculum, for some people it is not enough to be
expert in English. They try to find other teacher outside such as in English course to improve
their ability in English. They spend a lot of money and time in learning English. The English
course usually provide a learning in the afternoon for the students (formal school). There are also
English course that provide a class in the morning. This class is usually for the people who dont
have any activities in the morning.
However there is a problem for the people who want to learn English but they have very
limited time. These people dont have well organized schedule. Sometimes they have a time in
morning but sometimes they just have a time in the afternoon or maybe at night. These people
cant join the course regularly but actually the case is they really want to improve their skill in
English. They need a flexible schedule system to improve their English skill.
The expansion of the technology now is the answer for the problem mentioned above.
Now technology give a possibility to have a flexible schedule in learning English. Now, we can
learn something without should attend the class physically. The system is well known as
Distance Learning. Distance learning is a method to learn something where the teacher and the
learners are separated by time and place. The possibility of distance learning especially in
learning English will be discus in our seminar bellow.

The objectives of this seminar:

The objective of this seminar is to discuss about distance learning that at least can answer
the questions below :
1. What is distance is?
2. Is it possible to do a distance learning?
3. What are the kind of technology used for distance learning?
4. What are the advantages and the disadvantages of distance learning?

Chapter 2
Discussion

A. Definition of Distance Learning

Distance education, or distance learning, is a field of education that focuses on the
pedagogy, technology, and instructional system designs that aim to deliver education to students
who are not physically "on site" in a traditional classroom or campus. 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. In other words, distance learning is the process of
creating an educational experience of equal quality for the learner to best suit their needs outside
the classroom. Distance education courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason
(including taking examinations) is considered a hybrid or blended course of study. This emerging
technology is becoming widely used in universities and institutions around the globe. With the
recent trend of technological advance, distance learning is becoming more recognized for its
potential in providing individualized attention and communication with students internationally.
In the relationship with learning English, distance learning is very useful for us to
improve our ability in English especially for them who have limited time to learn English. From
distance learning we can get real native teacher who can teach us everything about English. Our
English will be advanced fast because the native teacher is the best knower of their language
B. Technologies used in delivery

In communicating, the teacher and the learners of distance learning use two model
technologies. The technologies are synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous
technology is a mode of online delivery where all participants are "present" at the same
time requiring a timetable to be organized. Asynchronous technology is a mode of online
delivery where participants access course materials on their own schedule. Students are
not required to be together at the same time. Both the synchronous and asynchronous
provide is interesting. Here are the examples of synchronous and asynchronous
technology
1. Synchronous technologies

a) Web-based VoIP
b) Telephone
c) Videoconferencing

d) Web conferencing
e) Direct-broadcast satellite
f) Internet radio
g) Live streaming
2.

Asynchronous technologies
a) Audiocassette
b) E-mail
c) Message board forums
d) Print materials[16]
e) Voice Mail/fax
f) Videocassette/DVD

C. Models of Distance Education

There are a lot of models of distance learning. Each school provides a model of distance
learning that it is has its interesting but generally the models of distance learning are just
like models mentioned below
The models below are adapted from Model of Distance Education Maryland
University
1. Distributed Classroom
Shortly, distributed classroom is a model of distance learning where the
learners are together in a class, they receive a material from the teacher from the
far place Here are the general characteristic of distributed class
a) Involving synchronous communication
b) Providing number of sites
c) Students may enroll at any sites convenient to them
d) Institutions are able to serve a small numbers of students in each location.

2. Independence Learning

Independence learning is a model of distance learning which let the learners learn
the material independently. They choose the schedule when and where they will get the
material. They are learn alone. The characteristics are:

a.
b.
c.

There is no class session; students study

independently based on guidelines in the syllabus
Interaction may exist in other circumstances
Class presentation would be printed materials,
audio, and videotapes.

d.

Instructional materials are designed for several

years and often revised by comprehending students
need.

3. Open Learning Classroom

Open Learning here means the mix of distributed class and independence
learning. This model lets the students study alone, but sometimes the learners are come
together in a class to receive the material together. The characteristics are:

a.
b.
c.
d.

Presentation of course content is through print, computer disk, or videotape that

can be accessed at any time in any places.
Course materials are used for more than one semester.
Students come together periodically in groups in specified locations for
instructor-led class session through interactive technologies.
Class sessions are for students to discuss and clarify concepts and engage in
problem solving activities, group, simulations, and other applied learning
exercises.

D.Testing and evaluation

Distance education has long had trouble with testing. The delivery of testing
materials is fairly straightforward, which makes sure it is available to the student and he or
she can read it at their leisure. The problem arises when the student is required to complete
assignments and testing. Online courses have had difficulty controlling cheating in quizzes,
tests, or examinations because of the lack of teacher control. In a classroom situation a
teacher can monitor students and visually uphold a level of integrity consistent with an

institution's reputation. However, with distance education the student can be removed from
supervision completely. Some schools address integrity issues concerning testing by
requiring students to take examinations in a controlled setting.
However distance learning is one of the alternative ways in learning something
especially in English. If it can beat the distance problem, so the problem such testing
problem should be solved too. The experts of distance learning system have found the
programs that can control the problem in testing. At least there are two program have
developed to control the problems in testing. The programs are:
a. CLEP
I n recent years, the College Board has been promoting its College Level
Examination Program (CLEP) tests. These tests are fully accredited and can be
used for many of the general education and even core requirements of many
degree templates. The tests are administered in approved testing centers and are
closely proctored to prevent cheating. CLEP tests are computer-based, online tests
that consist of roughly 80-120 multiple choice questions. Because the test is
computer-based, the candidate's score can be tallied as soon as the test is
completed. CLEP's passing grade is a 50 (roughly equivalent to a C-grade) and is
scaled all the way to 80 (roughly the equivalent of an A-grade) for a perfect score.
CLEP operates on a pass or fail basis, in that the actual grade does not determine
credit awarded, but is strictly based on whether the candidate passes or not.
b. DSST
In addition to CLEP tests, the DANTES Standardized Subject Tests (DSST) is
also frequently used to cover areas that CLEP does not offer tests in. These are
very similar in format and administration to CLEP, being computer-based, online,
and proctored, with immediate test results available. DSST also offers a number
of its exams in paper based format, though they must be sent in to DSST's offices
for grading, resulting in a delay for application of credit. Traditionally, DSST has
used a grading system nearly identical to that of CLEP, but has recently been
overhauling its tests and applying a new grading system, with a 300-500 point
grade, with 400 as the passing grade. Credit is awarded based on pass or fail.

E. The Advantages of Distance Learning

Distance education provides some advantages such as:

1. Expanding access: Distance education can reach underserved populations of
students who cannot attend a school that offers the educational services they
desire, perhaps because they live too far away.
2. Cost reduction: Distance education can turn production of content into a
repeatable and durable learning tool that does not require as much infrastructure.
As most material can be packaged in an easy to deliver "just-in-time" format, the
expanding payroll of educational institutions becomes unnecessary.
3. In learning English, we can get the native speaker as our teacher who understands
well about their language.
F. The Disadvantages of distance learning
Beside it has a lot an advantage, distance learning also has some disadvantages
such as:
1. It needs high technology system: there are not all place in this world have high
technology system
2. The system and the technology sometimes are difficult to operate

Chapter 3
Conclusion
Based on the explanation above now we know that distance learning is one of the way in
improving our knowledge especially in English.
1. Distance learning is the way to learn something from the distance. It means that we
couldnt attend the class physically. We can get the material at anywhere and anytime as
we are connected to the internet.

2. It is very possible to get distance learning because the technology today has been grown
well. The advanced of technology play its role very much in distance learning.
3. The technologies are usually used in distance learning are internet, telephone,
television, e mail, and mail.
4. For everyone who wants to get education but can not join the formal class, distance
learning is one of the solutions. It gives us education with its benefits, couldnt attend
the class physically. If we are in isolated place, we are able to learn English if the
technology there is supported.

SEMINAR
IMPROVING ENGLISH TROUGH DISTANCE LEARNING

COMPILLED BY:

NAME
NIM
CLASS

: KINGKIN GALIH PRIAMBUDI

: 0701050011
: A1

THE FACULTY OF TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION

MUHAMMADIYAH UNIVERSITY OF PURWOKERTO
2010