Research, Media Equivalence "theory-based Distance Learning Course Design

The quality of teleinstructional course is a key factor to the success of distance education. Now, most of teleinstructional course have so many shortcomings, which should be resolved immediately, e.g. pay more attention to the instructional content than the design of instructional environment, monotone exhibition of content because they attach importance to the literal content not the form of exhibition, navigation system not better enough because they attach importance to the implement of support technology not the humanistic design of navigation system, etc. The media of learning has craftsmanship functions such as content exhibition and the construction of circumstance.This paper introduced a theory called Media Equation to guide the design for teleinstructional course, on some aspects of it such as the method that didactical media represent learning content, and the effect on learner caused by education media. Under the guidance of Media Equation, teleinstructional course with better quality could be achieved.Media Equation, established by Byron Reeves and Clifford Nass after 10 years hardworking , is theorized from study on relationship between human and media. The original meaning of Media Equation believed that the reaction of human to media is consistent with the reaction to reality when they absorb information. This paper expanded the signification of Media Equation, and constructed the framework of Media Equation, aimed to sketch the basic principles of course design for distance education.Based on the Media Equation Theory, this paper studied the comprehensive significations which Media Equation included. Then, it analysed the character revealed by network and TV media, which obey the rules of Media Equation, when they are applied to distance education. This paper established a new evaluation pattern for distance educational media, and brought forward an idea that different kind of media could be fused together to produce teleinstruction courseware. A new concept was introduced in this paper that the design for network course, such as interface, organization of content and layout of framework etc., should be guided by MediaEquation Theory, then the effect of visual communication between learner and media would be improved, so the conversion of roles among teachers, students and media during the process of teleinstruction would be achieved spontaneously. Finally, the aim that improve the quality of teleinstruction would be achieved.