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.
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteI also agree that online education should not replace traditional education, but they should collaborate on curriculums to confirm both styles of education.
Lori and Petti,
ReplyDeleteI am of the opinion that distance education can, and should be, used with traditional education. I was interested to hear Simonson also talk about the fine line between distance learning and distance self-study. What are the thought of the group about that fine line? It seems, just like traditional classrooms, that there is the potential for teachers to fall short of the expectations needed to be effective. Does anyone see distance learning following the trends we now see in traditional education due to ineffective teachers?