"After reading the three articles by Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman, and listening to the Simonson video programs, compare and contrast the reasons these authors believe there is a need to evolve distance education to the next generation. Do you agree with their positions? Why or why not?"
I agree that there is a need for the evolution of distance education. Technologies change daily and to keep up with ever changing technology must be the primary concern of distance education facilities. The type of student is another concern that will promote change in the way distance education is taught as well as learned. I have been involved in distance education for seven years. I have seen the changes; however, they are not very extreme.
Hi RaKinah,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned the "type of student" will have an impact on distance education. I couldn't agree with you more.
During my training to teach online three years ago, when I first saw the possibility of this type of instruction, my first reaction was one of how distance education could very easily meet the needs of many students with learning disabilities. Content is available 24/7; students proceed at their own pace (somewhat) and re-read or re-play content as needed. Also, many states and districts are using distance education to offer at-risk students credit recovery courses. Current research, though, on the characteristics of successful online-learners, suggests that those who are self-starters and have a greater locus of control are better suited to succeed in such learning environments. Huett, Moller, Foshay, and Coleman (2008, September/October), though, specifically caution against the haphazard use of distance education to meet high-risk students' educational needs.
While there do not seem to be great changes in distance education, if distance education is desired by people and institutions to meet a much broader types of students, I think greater changes will have to be made.
Cheers,
Margaret
Reference:
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. TechTrends, 52(5), pp. 63-67.
I think we are all evolving with technology because it is being developed so quickly. Look how fast the IPad is changing the way we use technology or even the impact of cell phones. I sold cell phones back in the 1990's and they were the size of a shoe box!!
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology is constantly updating and professionals who work with distance education need to be constantly evolving as well. At the same time it can be difficult to stay on top of all the different technologies unless it is part of someone's job. Look how quickly we as students in an online class have had to adapt to new technologies such as the blogs for this class alone.
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