1.
Distance education implies that the
majority of educational communication between (among) teacher and student(s)
occurs noncontiguously.
2.
Distance education must involve two-
way communication between teacher and student(s) for the purpose of
facilitating and supporting the educational process.
3.
Distance education uses technology
to mediate the necessary two-way communication.
Each component of their definition is critical to
understanding distance learning and what the future holds for the topic.
Distance learning has proven to evolve as new inventions and
technology emerges. According to the
Distance Learning Timeline Continuum (Laureate Education) mail correspondence
dates back to 1833 and the first computer and internet technology was
introduced for distance learning course delivery in 1979. When I put this in perspective, it was just three
years after I was born when internet technology was introduced. I am no spring chicken, but I did not think
it had been around that long. My
husband’s father is a computer geek, so I have heard numerous times about how
it used to take over 45 minutes to load a game to play on his first
computer. In those days it was on a
cassette tape, not even a floppy disk.
Even with this knowledge, a light bulb went off when I read the
timeline. I am late to the party
regarding how long distance learning has been around and how far it has
come. I always thought of distance
learning involving computers and online coursework, but it makes sense that it
dates back to mail correspondence. Mail
correspondence is now gone to the sidelines because of technology, but its historical
significance on the evolution of distance learning.
When I think of mail correspondence courses, I am reminded
of the draw a picture ad in the back of magazines. I am sure everyone has seen the picture of a
profile view of a bear with a hat. I
still see commercials for these applications today. I did not think of that as being part of the
history of distance learning. Distance
education is “institution-based, formal education where the learning group is
separated, and where interactive telecommunication systems are used to connect learners,
resources, and instructors” (Simonson, et.al, 2012). Looking at this definition, mail correspondence
fits along with all the others that are featured in the Laureate Education’s
multimedia presentation that highlights the history of distance learning. This presentation has had a significant
impact on my knowledge as well as outlook on just how far back in history ideas
can be traced.
As a new member of the Instructional Design community, this
was an astounding revelation and what I thought was a new and up and coming
area of education. But then I was
reminded when I watched the video, “Distance Education: The Next Generation” (Laureate Education)
about Everett Rogers Theory of Innovation and Ideas. As an educator, I know firsthand how his
theory is applied to education. If
anything makes sense or should be done, then it will face scrutiny and take
what seems like forever to be accepted.
I had not thought about it outside of that area. But, seeing it in the history and evolution
of distance learning opens my eyes even further to how the theory can be
applied to so many aspects of our world.
It was stated best in the video by “today, distance education is widely
adopted and approaching critical mass in society” (Laureate
Education). I would not have thought
that my traditional old fashion, old school, face to face learning style would
be enjoying completing my graduate studies online at Walden.
I chose online distance learning because it fits my
schedule, life, and gets me closer to my goal of obtaining my master’s
degree. This is mainly due to the
convenience and flexibility to fit into my life as a wife, mom, and
professional. Another important factor
is technology. When I started my first
year at Frostburg State University, I had no computer of my own. I brought my Brother electric typewriter and
thought I was so cool. Soon I discovered
the computer lab and spent countless hours learning by trial and error on any
computer I could find. That freshman
could not have seen that I am doing my assignment on my own laptop that will be
placed on my online blog which is available thanks to this thing called the
internet. It is crazy to think back on
how time changes and so fast. Technology and accessibility have had a
significant impact in my experience with distance learning. So, I know looking at the history and what it
has done for me, these and more have changed landscape of distance
learning.
The future of distance learning is rapidly progressing and
evolving with new technologies. This includes
mobile devices such as tablets and Smart phones. Such convenience will continue to impact distance
education because the more accessible and convenient it is for learners, the
easier it will become. I think that the
biggest hurdle of distance learning is in the K-12 communities that may feel
threatened that face to face interaction will no longer exist. I did think this and was hesitant prior to
becoming informed. It will take
educating educators on the distance learning and how it can enrich their
teaching rather than take over classroom learning.
Resources
Distance Learning
Timeline Continuum. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6290464&Survey=1&47=7437497&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay,
W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications
for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends,
52(5), 63–6 7.
Simonson, M.
(Presenter). Distance Education: The Next
Generation. Vodcast retrieved from Walden
University, EDUC 6135: https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_550908_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.
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