Dr. Simonson pointed out that correspondence courses have been around for decades. With the microcomputers coming on board in the 80's, the internet became increasingly popular. This increased use of the internet has resulted in a gradual shift towards online classes for training in corporations or businesses, universities and K-12 programs. Today, K-12 programs are set to offer virtual classes to students who want to get ahead or as a way of offering classes which can not be found in traditional schools. Although all of the authors agree that distance education is reaching a critical mass stage, the authors also agree that it should not become a place for putting students who can not cut it in a traditional class, but used to broaden a students repertoire of classes. Moller, Foshay and Huett (2008) indicated that not only should we be careful in what students are allowed to take in distance education classes, but there must be committment from the faculty to insure that the quality and training provided in distance education classes is based on sound instructional design. In addition, they stated that instructional designers should advocate for better web-based instructional models for online learners. Dr. Simonson (2008) pointed out that online learning provides an array of activites which can address and support the different learning styles of students. However, Simonson (2008) indicated that instructional designers should make sure that these programs do not try to mimic a traditional classroom with face to face instruction, but that online learning should provide an equivalent learning experience for students.
In summarizing the authors view on the plight of distance education, I believe they see a need for distance education in the future, but they all cautioned designers and developers of the online programs that there are challenges which will have to be considered in order for distance education to grow. Finally, they agree that distance education from all fronts will never replace traditional classes.
I agree with the last statement as there are students who need face to face contact with teachers to succeed as there are students in homes who do not have access to computers due to economic conditions. However, I believe that e-learning will see continued growth because of adults returning to school and students who want to finish early. Businesses have already taken the leap to e-training as a means of saving money via videoconferencing.
References
Moeller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends, 52(3), 70-76.
Moeller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends, 52(4), 66-71.
Moeller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends, 52(5), 63-68.
Simonson, M. (Writer), & Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Distance education: The next generation & Equivalency theory. [Vodcast]. Walden University.
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On the idea that "distance education from all fronts will never replace traditional classes," I am inclined to disagree. In my view, the status quo educational system is based in 19th/20th Century approaches to 19th/20th Century worlds. The two domains correlated to each other. The conventional in-class model will not correlate to the possible 21st Century world. This shift may require ubiquitous eLearning, even if students attend a brick and mortar setting to do it. It's not so much about remote education as it is about technological education. The grounding in technology is essential to democratic participation in the 21st Century society. I am not arguing that this is a positive development, made clear by Neil Postman in "Technopoly." Yet, if we exclude the abundant negatives to this technologizing trend, the way to scaffold the growth of the Technopoly is not through 19th/20th Century approaches to education.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that e-learning never replace F2F learning. Both will be complement to achieve different outcomes. The e-learning change the way we think about learning and let the student develop new learning styles that are necessary to move in this emerging society. Then, F2F has to change too, but never will disappear.
ReplyDeleteI liked your blog and about how the distance education helped the students who do not have access to the traditional school.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are on your way.
Bill Sharp
Hi Bill,
ReplyDeleteI do not see the assignment, but I can see your comment. Please send I will comment on the assignment.
Have a great day!
Monica
Okay Guys--
ReplyDeleteThe only way I know how to post my justifician for my topic is to just paste it in this comment. But according to you site, I cannot post a long document. So tell me what to do, and I will do it.
Bill
Hey Guys--
ReplyDeleteHere is my content on the Blog Assignment for Module 2--I think.
Bill Sharp’s Blog Assignment Week 4:
I selected “(c) collaborative interaction.” Do you agree or disagree with his view? The first question dealt with how had this element evolved: In agreeing with George Siemens, I would say that he has a interesting way of putting it when he says, “I think, first and foremost, it gives us a growing sense of comfort with the environment. And we recognized that we don’t have to be in the same area face to face. We can have that kind of discourse. (1:36/4:23) But what it is also does and, I think, is perhaps more critical is that it enables us to participate in conversations outside of what we would have previously had—these fairly secluded groups of likeminded people that we often find in education. It’s almost by default. (1:52/4:23) Diversity—global diversity is now a common trend within distance education (1:57/4:23) I think the key factor here is the comfort element because for me I am very comfortable going online whenever and wherever I want to.
And with the addition of the skype element, that is video conferencing over the computer, this will allow face-to-face collaboration with all of your group members. George puts this succinctly when he says, “?” (2:40/4:23) You know, where is distance education heading as a field as a whole? It seems comical now, but if you consider it: five years ago, if you sat down with someone and said, “you’ll be on skype having a video conference “with a group of friends, the voice quality will be as clear as if you’re on a telephone,” a lot of us would have thought that’s just not practical. So as those communication technologies improve in quality, we’re going to start to see the educational model around it also ramp up significantly. (2:56/4:23) And this is incredible and will not only improve upon our class collaboration, but will should improve upon all corporate collaboration. It really enhances the educational experience. This turns the classroom into a real-live moble classroom without avatars.
What online tools are available today to facilitate these interactions among learners? Wit the computer technology that we have today, any computer, whether it’s the PC or Macintosh, will work with the moble collaboration. I personally prefer the Macintosh, because it allows for two platforms: Windows and the Macintosh Tiger operating systems. Therefore, anyone who has the major computer brands will be able to go online and will be able to facilitate these types of interactions. For example with the new Apple Macbook Pro, I have a camera on my computer, which I can turn into skype and talk about the various issues that may surface in an online classroom environment. We have the wiki, we have the blogs, we also have the twitter experiences. So, no matter what kind of tool one has today, they can always use these types of tools for online activities.
Does this make any sense to you guys?
Bill
Guys--
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forgot to list my reference.
Reference:
Media: Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). “The Future of Distance Education” (Approx. 4 min) Baltimore, MD. [George Siemens]
Hi Monica,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for such a late comment but I am new to wikis and blogs. I have had to read and watch videos about how to create both. I feel much more confident now about blogs so I can now take time to look at what others have to say.
You have a great post. I agree that there has to be a strong commitment to online learning for it to be successful. Last year, in a Moodle training session, the instructor talked about his role as an online instructor in a school district in Pennsylvania. This instructor related stories of how those students who weren't dedicated to spending the time and energy necessary in online learning should not participate. (This system loaned each student the computer that they were to use at home.) I believe this gentleman taught somewhere around 4th, 5th, or 6th grade.
If I remember correctly, you are an administrator in Georgia. (I teach in Dalton, Georgia.) Are there schools located in your area that are specifically online, not the brick-and-mortar ones?
Guys--
ReplyDeleteI have placed my very rough draft of my pre-video of my games intervention for long distance learning. It is only about half done. It will be a nice 5-6 minute video.
hope you like the PPT if I can get it uploaded on this site.
Bill Sharp