Integrating New Technologies to Promote Distance Learning

The development and emergence of new technologies in distance learning has opened a broad range of options for promoting learning. New technologies and the latest generation of Web-based tools have been increasingly adopted in distance learning. Integrating these technologies into education has a profound impact on all areas of learning, from course management to problem-solving instruction. The new technologies have provided a valuable addition to interactivity and interactions in the process of teaching and learning. In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the use of the latest generation of Web-based tools (Web 2.0), such as wikis, blogs, and podcasts, in distance learning. The possibilities of wikis and blogs and other new Web tools are countless. Any topic that needs to be discussed openly, quickly, or in a collaborative manner can benefit from these tools. An extensive body of literature has accumulated over the past decade relating to the effectiveness, benefits, and changes caused by implementing distance-learning technologies. This article outlines the various technologies and Web-based tools, their implementation in distance learning, and the accumulated experience gained by the Open University of Israel in implementing them.

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