Comprehensive check

Task 1. Be ready to discuss the following questions.

1. Who was the first to get the idea of teaching by correspondence?

2. Who took the idea of correspondence courses to the United States?

3. What three methods were originally used for course work by the Open University?

4. What entry qualifications are required to do a course at the Open University?

5. What type of programmers are shown in the Discovery Channel?

6. What programme attracted the most viewers for a TV documentary?

7. What experience do you have in distance learning?

Task 2. Name the main idea of each paragraph.

Task 3. Give the English equivalent to the following expressions from the text and use them in your own sentences.

Электронные средства; играть ключевую роль в принципиально новом дистанционном образовании; важное изменение в образовании; относительно новая идея; курс заочного обучения; надёжная почтовая служба; очень популярная система стенографии; быть переведенным на 15 языков; без вступительных испытаний и интервью; насчитывать более 150 млн. подписчиков; образовательный подход.

Task 4. Complete the following sentences according to the text.

1. The way of learning remotely without being in regular face-to-face …

2. “Knowledge” is …

3. Nowadays more and more of information is gained …

4. Sir Isaac Pitman, had the idea of distance learning – only …

5. In 1840, Pitman began teaching …

6. Anyone over the age of 18 can follow …

7. John S Hendricks entered the TV business after

8. Today the Discovery Channel’s programmes reach over

Language activity

Task 5. For sentences 1-7, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Put the correct form of the word into the text.

What makes studying online different (0) from face-to-face study is that it uses the internet as the primary means of … (1). Learning is often organised through a virtual learning environment (VLE). This provides … (2) areas and links to readings and other resources as well as letting student submit … (3) electronically and take quizzes online. Online courses are often … (4) with students posting messages for each other to read and working together to construct … (5). As a result, students in virtual classrooms develop a sense of being part of an online community and feel much less … (6) than they might in traditional distance courses. The teacher’s role is to set appropriate tasks, to moderate discussions and to provide feedback. Teachers may also conduct online … (7).

DIFFER COMMUNICATE DISCUSS ASSIGN collaborate know isolation tutor

Task 6. Match the first part of the expressions from the left-hand box A with the second part on the right box B.

-A-			-B-
construct enrol enter hit moderate	post start subscribe take part unsubscribe		from a mailing list in a discussion group the send button to a mailing list discussions	a new thread knowledge messages your username on a hybrid course

Task 7. Now choose word combinations from Task 6 to complete these sentences. Change the verb form where necessary.

1. When you log on you will be asked to … and password.

2. A long time ago I … for marine engineers. I don’t want to receive messages from it any more but now I can’t remember how to … .

3. I really enjoy … for language teachers and yesterday I … about teaching grammar online.

4. I decided to … as I thought it would be good to experience a course with both online and face-to-face elements.

5. You will save yourself a lot of embarrassment if you get into the habit of always rereading what you’ve written before … and … .

6. Online instructors must be good at … so students can work together to … .

Task 8. Fill in the gaps in this e-mail from a student on an online course.