Defining Distance Learning
In our textbook,
Teaching and Learning at a Distance - Chapter 2, several definitions of
distance learning were given from several sources. The origins of distance education are more
than 160 years old. One definition of
distance learning given from Chapter 1 was institution-based formal education
where the learning group is separated, and where interactive communications
systems are used to connect learner, resources, and instructors. There are four main components that comprise
the definition of distance learning by the 2009 Encyclopedia Britannica Book of
the Year. These four components are
institutionally based, separation of teacher and student, interactive
telecommunications and sharing of data, voice, and video as the learning
experiences. With the plethora of
definitions provided in our textbook Teaching and Learning at a Distance I have
a better understanding of the components of distance learning and the many
views by different organizations.
I feel the definition
of distance learning is always changing mainly because educators create their
own definition based on their need for the position or job they are
performing. Some of the factors that
drive the continuous changes of the definition of distance learning are a
person’s experience in technology and education, the type of job someone may be
contracted to do, budgets, and security of job.
Also, the flexibility and free pacing of progress through a distance
learning program and a rigid schedule of weekly lesson could also be factors
that drive the ever changing definition of distance learning according to our
textbook Teaching and Learning at a Distance.
The changes in the
definition of distance learning are definitely influenced by a person’s
profession and/or how much technical knowledge he/she has. In the first article of The Evolution of
Distance Learning it states that e-learning presents a new chance to implement
potential individualization strategies that are not probable in the traditional
classroom. Also highlighted in the first
article is that as web-based instruction evolves and learners becomes more skilled
at maneuvering within the community, learners will become more demanding of
greater customization of the learning process that will cater to individual
interaction needs whatever those needs may include. Distance learning for corporations may differ
in certain aspects from an educational institution. Because of the different demands by the
organization a person’s profession and their technical knowledge does influence
or change the definition of distance learning.
My personal definition
of distance learning before this course was learning from a distance through
the web where a teacher is available for assistance through email and collaboration
with classmates can be performed through chat groups. I now realize that distance learning is more
than just that. Students and teachers
are separated by distance but each has access to the other through email and
assistance is available for problems with course work. Also students are able to collaborate with
each other through discussion groups, emails, blogs and other means that is
conducive to learning. My personal
definition was influenced by the articles I read in The Evolution of Distance
Learning and our course text Teaching and Learning at a Distance. All of these resources had some commonality
as far as the teacher and student being in separated sometimes by miles and
countries and students being able to communicate with each other through
different means. My new definition of
distance learning is learning from anywhere, anytime with an instructor available
through email and fellow students available through discussion boards, email,
and various other technologies where content is delivered through the internet
with assistance as needed to meet the needs of the student while sustaining
growth for colleges and universities and offering advanced education. If you were to ask me two years from now what
my definition is for distance learning it may change to something different or
in addition to what I have said. Distance
learning can be anything to anyone at a particular time and place but it will
always involve learning from a distance and the student, teacher and resources
are not connected or face-to-face as in the traditional classroom setting. After working on this blog assignment I
decided to go back and watch the media resource for this week, Distance
Education: The Next Generation by Dr.
Michael Simonson, and discovered that his definition of distance education was
very similar to mine. He states that
distance education means a formal education in which the learning group
(teacher, student, resources) are separated by geography, by time where
technologies are used to link them all.
My vision for the
future of distance learning as it continues on a path of evolution and change
is broad. I would be encouraged to see
distance learning incorporated into grade school. Making distance learning more appealing to
educators by offering higher salaries and bonuses for student success as done
in the traditional classroom would be a great incentive. I feel more people could be educated through
distance learning which would lead to better citizens and a better life for
more people. Perhaps an opportunity for
graduates with masters degrees or PhDs can be given the opportunity to become
employees upon graduation based on their expertise. Lastly I would like to see distance learning
incorporate Skyping or using Ovoo to deliver some content orally where the
students can actually see their instructors no matter where they reside. This will take away the element of not being
face-to-face with the instructor and teacher and give a personal touch to
distance learning. With the constantly
changing technology I am sure that most of my ideas for the future of distance
learning can be achieved.
References
Huett,
J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance
education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web
(Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–6 7.Retrieved
from Huett, J., Moller,
L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance education:
Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3:
K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Distance education: the next generation [DVD]. Dr. Michael Simonson.
Moller,
L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education:
Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1:
Training and development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75. Retrieved from Moller, L., Foshay,
W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications
for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and
development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.
Moller,
L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education:
Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2:
Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70. Retrieved from Moller, L., Foshay,
W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications
for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher
education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., &
Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of
distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.
My
Mind Map
Distance
Learning
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