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The American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) has identified basic assumptions and guiding principles for identifying and evaluating web-based courses and non-formal education programs. ADEC guidelines address web-based learning environments that are designed for distance as well as face-to-face students.

ADEC Basic Assumptions

• The principles that lend themselves to quality face-to-face learning environments are often similar to those found in web-based learning environments.
• With all forms of media converging to a digital platform, advanced educational technology may include a variety of learning environments and information appliances.
• While rapidly emerging technologies offer unlimited potential for virtual learning environments for both face-to-face as well as distance learners, practical application of existing technologies may often prove highly effective for various audiences and objectives.

ADEC Principles

• The learning experience must have a clear purpose with tightly focused outcomes and objectives.
• The learner is actively engaged.
• The learning environment makes appropriate use of a variety of media.
• Learning environments must include problem-based as well as knowledge-based learning.
• Learning experiences should support interaction and the development of communities of interest.
• The practice of distance learning contributes to the larger social mission of education and training in a democratic society.

ADEC Characteristics of quality web-based teaching and learning:

1. Fosters meaning-making, discourse
2. Moves from knowledge transmission to learner-controlled systems
3. Provides for reciprocal teaching
4. Is learner-centered
5. Encourages active participation, knowledge construction
6. Based on higher level thinking skills �" analysis, synthesis, and evaluation
7. Promotes active learning
8. Allows group collaboration and cooperative learning
9. Provides multiple levels of interaction
10. Focuses on real-world problem solving

Read the complete text of the ADEC Guiding Principles

Contributed by Chip Donohue

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