Reflection on Distance Learning

 The current perspective on distance learning is changing to a more positive outlook and the rapidly developing world of technology is contributing to the shift. The demanding schedules of the working America is now demanding education that is more flexible and more time conscious for the student. The benefits of distance learning are becoming clearer as more people enroll and take course. George Siemens (2010), in speaking on the future of distance education, spoke of bridging the gap of comfort and explaining that as learners have more experience with technologies they will be more comfortable with using them in an educational format. Instructional designers can continue to change the perspective of distance learning by

Electronic communication now means that the student and the instructor no longer have to be in the same time or place for the acquisition of knowledge. The equivalency theory states that distance courses should be equivalent but not identical to F2F courses.  (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, pp. 52-53).  It is the learning activities that will look different though the outcomes will be the same. The use of Skype, Face Time, Google hangout all allow for real time communication.

With the internet and technology being one of the best teachers and sources of information in world, people now know more than they have ever known and are demanding to continue learning in many different ways. Teaching without interaction is not teaching. It is providing information and students and they no longer need teachers to do that. One student asked me this week, how are pencils made. We spent the next hour watching videos from the internet on how things are made and then wrote a reflection about it is done.  Definitely a learning experience for all.

I love this quote about eLearning. It really speaks volume about the job of the Instructional Designer (ID) “The most profound words will remain unread and unheard unless you can keep the learner engaged. You can't see their eyes to know if they got it so ... say it, show it, write it, demo it and link it to an activity”. James Bates

ID must create course and activities that engage, provoke critical thinking skills, require participate and provide learning that meets the needs of the students. Multimedia provides resources that can be more effective than text and images alone. (Simonson et al.,  2012)

As a teacher, changing the perspective of at least one student is a success, so if by speaking out about my personal experiences as a distance learning student and continuing my growth as an Instructional Designer changes the perspective of at least one but counting on many then I am successful. I am trying to flip my Forensic high school classroom and I hope this will ease the anxieties of my senior about entering college and taking courses online. Most high school students think of college in terms of the traditional F2F classes because they have very limited information and access to online course except as credit recovery. By continuing to focus on student centered learning, teachers can prepare future learners for distance learning.

Due to the fun stigma attached to living on campus, joining fraternities/sororities and the overall college experience, it seems unlikely that the young first time college students will give all that up for purely distance learning, but the mature working group with families, it will still be the most chosen method of continued education.

Reference:

The future of distance education [Video webcast]. (2010). [With Dr. George Siemens]. Laureate Education. Retrieved fromhttps://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2820942_1%26url%3D

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Spicer, J. (Designer). (2012, 07 16). [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.msuedtechsandbox.com/maetELy1-2012/