Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

According to Dr. Siemens (n.d.) in the Laureate Education video, the growth in technology has given distance education a chance to become more accepted in today’s corporate and educational realms.  The area in distance education that I believe has benefited the most is communication.  This has occurred because of the growth of technology in communication tools such as webmail, chat rooms, and instant messaging.  These tools have allowed people to communicate in new and profound ways. 

These communication tools have allowed people to not only connect asynchronously but synchronously as well (Bilger, 2012).  Communication tools such as Skype, blogs, and even wikis have given people new and exciting ways to work cooperatively (2012).  Students can be more flexible not only in the times they can set aside to study but also when they can work collaboratively with other students (Sikkim Manipal University, 2012, a and b).  Also the quality in these tools has improved enough where people are becoming more comfortable using them when communicating with other students (Laureate Education, n.d.)

In the area of communication, distance education is helping students to enhance their verbal and written skills as well (Sikkim Manipal University, 2012, a).  These skills arise from the need to complete online correspondence, project work, research papers, and discussions with fellow students (2012, a). These enhanced communications skills allow students to not only interact with others but the content in a more diverse and unique way.    

 

Resources:

Bilger, L. (2012).  Distance education:  Collaborative blog.  Retrieved from http://lukebilger.blogspot.com/2011/12/distance-education-collaborative.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d). The future of distance education. Baltimore, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2643771_1%26url%3D

Sikkim Manipal University (2012) Inculcating effective communication through distance education.  Retrieved from http://smude.edu.in/blog/distance-education/distance-education-promises-better-reach-through-information-and-communication-technology-ict

Sikkim Manipall University (2012).  Distance education promises better reach through Information and Communication Technology ICT.  Retrieved from http://smude.edu.in/blog/distance-education/distance-education-promises-better-reach-through-information-and-communication-technology-ict

Module 1: The Next Generation of Distance Learning

Distance education has the potential to change the face of education.  In order to reach this potential, instructional designers not only need to “evolve the field but also to assure that the products of sound professional design practice lead the e-learning enterprise” (Moller et al, 2008, p. 66, a).  However, I agree with Simonson’s (n.d.) statement that distance learning will not replace traditional school.  Traditional schools are too ingrained into our society for it to ever be replaced.  However, distance learning can provide new opportunities that the traditional classroom cannot provide (Laureate Education, n.d.).  , 

Both Moller et.al (2008, b) and Simonson (n.d.) believe that distance education should not be identical to the traditional classroom.  I do agree with their opinion in this matter.  As a teacher, I know that even though all of my students need to meet the same learning goal or standard; I cannot expect the same activities to work for every student in my class.  I may have to use different activities to help some of my students to reach that learning goal.  My instruction for each student may not be the same but it would be equivalent.  This equivalence provides a better education for all students involved. 

Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore, MD: Author. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2643771_1%26url%3D

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). 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, July/August). The evolution of distance education;  Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2:  Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 70-75.