Distance
education is changing the way we learn, whether we are in the corporate
environment or the k-12 environment. As
with any new knowledge one hopes to gain and apply, it would be best to learn
from experts in the field. The
expectation for the design and delivery of distance education is to provide
learners with opportunities to explore an area of study without meeting the
requirement of assembling in a physical location. The benefits from experiencing distance
education are abundant in comparison to a face-to-face learning
environment.
Moller,
Huett, Foshay, and Coleman (2008) make valid points about the need to evolve
distance education. In their essay, they
highlight training and development, higher education, and the k-12 environment,
all important aspects of distance education.
I agree with the authors that it’s important to support the evolution of
these areas regarding distance education so it can be an effective method for
teaching and learning. Often times in
the k-12 setting, new methods and strategies are introduced with the
expectation that they should be embraced.
Without the proper training from experts, it becomes a challenge to
learn and implement a new tool simultaneously.
Adequate time for understanding and experimenting is imperative to the success
of implementation.
In a
taped interview, Dr. Simonson (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.a) expresses his
belief that distance education is getting to the point where it will reach
critical mass, being widely accepted and utilized. I agree with Simonson that distance education
technologies will eventually be used in multiple areas of businesses, education
and training. Once again, this
illustrates the need to support the evolution of distance education which I
believe will lead future generations. As
distance education continues to be accepted and is proved effective, businesses
and education systems will need to adapt in order to meet the needs of clients.
References
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). 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., n.d. (Executive Producer). Distance Education: The Next Generation [Video webcast]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
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.
Comments posted on:
http://dsprings2004.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-future-of-instructional-design-for.html#comment-form
http://conleyblog.weebly.com/1/post/2013/03/educ-7102-module-1-topic-the-next-generation-of-distance-education.html#comments
I agree that distance education in full of potential. I especially like the point Huett, et al. made that we should train some teachers specifically for online learning, rather than expect all current teachers to start online teaching in addition.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie, I agree with you on the full potential of distance education. I also like how you mentioned Dr. Simonson's video on DE almost reaching the critical mass. I also like how he mentioned that once an idea has been diffused and adopted, we now have to embrace and nurture it. I think that is where the lack or training might possibly come in. An idea such as DE (which is not new) has not been properly nurtured...much like raising a child! Get pregnant, give birth...now what? Where does the nurturing come in and has that parent been properly trained to nurture the child from maternal instinct, previous experience, observation, formal training or classes???
ReplyDeleteGood post Marie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Jessica that DE is a very powerful tool. I also agree that there needs to be a paradigm shift when it pertains to training and employment. I believe to truly be immersed in the 21st century environment, one needs to employ proper training and change agents in order to fulfill the task.