| This study investigated extending synchronous distance learning to teaching courses in the psychomotor domain in real-time, with immediate, direct feedback on technical skills performance from an instructor at a remote site via interactive technologies such as videoconferencing. This study focused on two research questions (1) can interactive distance learning technologies be used to teach technical and/or trouble shooting skills that fall under psychomotor domain? and, (2) to what degree can psychomotor skills be taught at a distance?; A technical course, “RF Power PC 211L” from a technical and vocational institute was selected and the instructor who had no prior experience in teaching a distance learning course taught the course. Data on cognitive skills, psychomotor technical skills, attitudes and perceptions, demographics as well as boundary conditions on teaching psychomotor skills was gathered from both remote and the main campus. Instruments used for data gathering were final course grades, total points in laboratory exercise, pre and post course surveys, demographic survey and open-ended interviews with the instructor, student and review of instructor journal were used to address the two research questions.; The main campus course was taught to the remote campus via distance learning technology in a distance learning format. The main technology used was videoconferencing. Both campus classrooms had the RF Trainer equipment. The rooms were set up to facilitate distance learning in the classroom. The instructor was present only at the main campus. The students on the remote campus were the experimental group. The experimental group participated in all course activities such as demonstrations, laboratory exercises, learning conceptual skills and tests only via distance. These students only had the benefit of laboratory assistant. The role of the laboratory assistant was to assist students/instructor as needed, ensure the safety of students and equipment and troubleshoot the RF Trainer.; Results of this study indicated that interactive distance learning technologies can be used to teach technical and/or trouble shooting skills that fall under psychomotor domain. Overall, results also indicate that all the hands-on laboratory exercises taught real-time in the “RF Power PC 211L” course were successful and could be taught via synchronous interactive distance learning technologies such as videoconference. Remote students indicated that they were able to learn, understand, practice, demonstrate the technical procedures. Majority of these students also indicated that instructor's proficiency with technology and his teaching style, student handouts, PowerPoint presentation and camera angles during lab were most critical in helping them learn. Cognitive and laboratory (psychomotor) skills analysis indicates that remote students learned just as much as the students in the main campus. Instructor indicated that there were no major limitations and/or boundary conditions for teaching hands-on psychomotor skills. The boundary conditions that he identified are: increasing classroom time for effective assessments and evaluations on laboratory exercises and limiting class size to 12–15 students.; The results of the present study cannot be generalized to a population. This study lays foundation for future research. This study clearly shows teaching psychomotor, hands-on, technical skills on tools and equipment in real-time and using interactive technologies for immediate, direct feedback on technical skills performance from an instructor from a remote site can and will be successful. |
