Perceptions of Distance Learning

·       What do you think the perceptions of distance learning will be in the future (in 5–10 years; 10–20 years)?

·       How can you as an instructional designer be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning?

·       How will you be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education?

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In the future, I think that distance learning will expand to all forms of educational arenas and workplace formats because of the technological advances with distance learning. Just think of how many people that distance learning has provided opportunities to people that would not otherwise be able to attend school or a job.  With that being said, I think the perception of distance learning over the next couple of years will be even more embraced and acceptable among the masses because many traditional colleges for example are entering the distance learning arena just stay competitive among all other schools such as Walden.

 Within the next five years, I think that distance learning will be considered as the norm as opposed to 

“ new or different”.  Even though distance learning has been around for over 30 years it has slowly been integrated within the educational and workplace format and now that technology is evolving at such a rapid rate distance learning will continue to flourish. Furthermore, the traditional format of education and learning will be considered outdated due the ever-evolving resources of the Internet. Even today, instructional designers and SME’s are looking for ways to make learning more streamline and accommodating to the everyday learner.  For example, at Walden we have a student readiness orientation course that original took 20 hours to complete in its entirety, now the instructional designers cut the orientation in half to 4 hours because the wanted some that the more accommodating and more streamline for the Walden students.  This is just an example of how fast we are changing and looking for change.

Now looking even further in the future with distance learning, the expectation of learning in my opinion will change because of the amount of resources readily available for the everyday learner.  According Dr. Frank Mayadas“ no longer will there be a difference between the distance learning and the traditional or campus student because they will have the same form of education in some way.  I believe that blended education will sweep the education system because student will have a chance of education and technological tools”.  Meaning within the next 15 to 20 years distance will be the norm for learning and every aspect of education will include some of distance learning.

 As an instructional designer, to improve of the perception of distance learning will be awareness and encouraging people to try it. Still many people are afraid of using technology to their benefit.  I have talked to people that want to go to school online but afraid of using the computer and have an over whelming feeling once they on the computer. Therefore as an instructional designer, I think it’s important for potential distance learner to be comfortable with the learning environment and to be aware of the benefits of distance learning. Society’s perception of distance learning today is more accepting because online and distance learning has made possible for the everyday learners to achieve their educational or career goals.

 Since I work with people everyday that are deciding whether to choose the online learning or the traditional learning format to continue the educational goals; I want to make the everyday learner aware of the benefits of online/Distance learning. I want to encourage individuals that distance learning is just a different way of thinking and learning.  In my opinion, distance learning is a way of thinking outside of the box and thinking beyond the traditional learning and the traditional teacher student relationship but distance learning is about taking accountability for your learning experience and changing the way you think about learning.

Reference:

Mayadas, Frank. (2013). Digital Learning 2010 Virtual Conference. Published July 3, 2013

The Impact of Open Course

Distance learning refers to a learning environment in which the instructor and student are separated by physical distance. Although distance learning goes back to the early 1800's , distance learning has evolved with the development technology through media,  telephone, video, from print to radio, television, video, satellite, computers, and now the Internet. Traditionally, distance education has been mainly between the instructor and the student with little to no opportunity for interaction among students. Today, the Internet changes this interaction because it allows learners to “communicate with each other either through synchronous or asynchronous communication” ( Simonson 2012). Students are able to participate in learning through a discussion format for example by reading and responding to all correspondence by other learners and the instructor, thereby “learning from each other as much as from the instructor” ( Simonson 2012). Thus causing the roles of the instructor and the student to change, and “the instructor becomes more of a facilitator of learning and the student becomes more of an active participant in, and more in control of, the learning process” ( Simonson 2012). Therefore the key elements and attributes of becoming successful at distance learning is time management, self-motivated and communication.

 As busy professional it’s important that you would be able to management your time. Most adults are consumed with working fulltime jobs, family obligation and other duties responsibilities. And to add school and /or training on top of a busy schedule requires a considerable amount of time management. Distance leaner must learn how to manage their time along with create good study habits because they have a lot of distractions.  Hence many people think that distance learning should be easier when in fact, “Online is not easier than the traditional educational process. In fact, many students will say it requires much more time and commitment”( Wilkinson 2010). Next, online learning takes a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the learning environment.  The learner must be self-motivated and discipline in order to be successful. “Since students are not forced to attend classes, therefore they find it extremely difficult to stay on top of their work because there is no one to keep them on task” (Wilkinson, 2010)

 Some of the  “non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether students are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.)  are not possible in the online paradigm” (Wilkinson 2010). For example, if a student is experiencing difficulty with the course in any way, (either with the technology or with the course content), they must communicate with the instructor immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know that the student is struggling or having problems with the course or learning environment. Therefore, a “successful student will view online as a convenient way to receive their education - not an easier way” ( Wilkinson 2010) .

 Lastly, distance learners must be willing to communicate their needs for learning. The pace for distance is considered to be a little faster so as a learner they can easily get lost with the amount of work required from the instructor. Due to the fact that,” distance learning is done in the course of group interaction, instructional designers will be required to put forth an enormous attempt to integrate the technologies to meet the needs of distance learners and foster collaboration and interaction among these learners” (Chaney, J., Chaney, E. Stellefson, and Eddy, 2008). So if a student is unfamiliar with navigating through blogs,wikis and discussion boards they should communicate  to the instructor as soon as possible so that the instructor may assist with additional instructional material that would help the student. Furthermore, online learners are expected to not only use the internet but utilize other provided library resources and be able to site their references as needed.  Because distance learning is fairly new to a lot of individuals at times, “students often have difficulty in understanding their tasks, therefore email and chats are useful in communicating with the instructor for helpful information. In my experience” ( Wilkinson 2012).I think that  communicating your needs as soon as possible vital to being a successful distance learner.

References:

Wilkinson, M. (2010). Why distance learning can be a good way to study when you have a disability.Retrieved May 25, 2011 from http://www.helium.com/items/1987584-why-distance-learning-can-be-a-good-way-to-study-when-you-have-a-disability

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

Example 2: Interactive Tours
 

 I was really thinking about how students would be able to visit and art museum without actually attending the museum physically! Well, apparently Google Art Project offers virtual tours to the world’s top art museums (technology)! Therefore, as instructional designers we would need to decide which form of distance learning technologies would best fit the teacher outcome.

To address the best learning technologies for the best learning outcomes for the high school teacher; therefore, “learning outcomes are those observable, measurable behaviors that are consequence of online instruction”(Simonson n.d). The learning outcomes:

1.Tour of the museum 
2.Interact with museum curators 
3.See the art work on display 
4. Participate in a group critique

Tour of the museum

Since the teacher wanted the students to experience the two prominent New York museum and they were located on the west coast; the best for of technology would be the virtual tour by A Street View feature by “Google that lets viewers take a 360-degree virtual look into selected galleries. Users can click from a view of an entire gallery to a close-up look at one of the pieces inside it” (Art Project by Google).  Therefore, the students would need to use a two-way audio/video using a desktop or laptop because “streaming video is becoming more widely used in traditional as well as distance education classes” ( Simonson n.d). In addition, Mullins- Dove ( 2006) “ describes streaming video as using the internet to allow video and audio content to play, or stream, as it is downloaded from a remote source”.   As instructional designer, I would suggest that the students use the computer lab or if they have the technology capabilities to desktops or individual laptops. Therefore, by using Google Street View the students will be able to tour any select museum in New York and allowing them to interact with the curator while using the Google Street View.  In addition, the students will be able to see the artwork on display and select various artworks that they like.  Another technology that could be use would be for the teacher to create a classroom blog that the students could respond to the different artwork selected by the teacher.  The students will be able engage in group discussions with the blog about the various artwork that the teacher posted and the artwork that they liked themselves. According to Blog in Education the educational benefit of  blogging are, “Educational Benefits Gives students the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with people from around the world Provides a larger audience for student writing Provides an authentic writing experience Postings can be created any time, any place Improves student motivation for writing and quality of writing Gives students opportunity for feedback outside of the classroom”.

Technologies for the teacher to use:

       Desktops  or laptops

2     Google Street View- internet- http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/02/google.streetview.art/

3     Classroom Blog – for all the student to respond to different artwork posted by the teacher; sample of a classroom blog below

http://wparena.com/themes/wordpress-theme-for-educational-websites/

References:

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

Mullin-Dove, T. (2006). Streaming video and distance education. Distance Learning, 3(4), 65-71. 

Blogs in Education. http://awd.cl.uh.edu/blog/

Defining Distance Learning

     After reading this week’s reading about distance learning, my views of distance learning has truly evolved because I originally only thought of distance learning from the perspective of higher education. However, distance learning not lonely effects the higher education arena but it has truly evolved in the areas of K -12 and training and development.  Distance education in the K-12 arena is one of the fastest growing areas of educations thus far ( Roblyer 2006). Even within the training and development arena the use of distance education is on the raise primarily because it’s cost effective for companies.

      As I stated in this week discussion, I was totally supportive of distance learning but just not for me! I honestly heard so many rumors about the distance learning environment I was a little leery. I heard things such as it was too easy and companies will not think your education as being creditable.  The thought of taking a course of line and not having the face to face contact with your instructor was just heard of to me!  When I received my Master; we met twice a week for every six weeks. Mine you, it drove me crazy to attend class and instructor would read from the power point presentation.  I would think to myself, I could be home doing this (Ironic).   Never did I think about the possibilities of distance education because I attended a traditional college so that was all I knew at the time.  Now, I truly enjoyed the campus life because it has shaped me into the person I am today and I would have never joined a sorority for example if it wasn’t for the on campus life.  I think the amazing thing about education today is that we have choices about your educational goals.  

       Over the past couple of years, distance learning has changed dramatically because of all the technological advances which have made education at your fingertips. I see distance learning as alternative form of education and learning. It allows learning to take place virtually. Distance learning is use of education and technology working together to make learning more accessible.  Not only is distance education more accessible but it allows learners from all different regions to come together and collectively share educational thought and ideas. I believe distance will continue to evolve over time because of the technological advances that will allows distance education to be even more accessible to the masses.

       In my opinion, the benefits to distance learning out weights the disadvantages!  Distance learning provides opportunities for people to not commute to school every day,  it will allow you to keep your job, gives you more income, experience and stability while completing your degree; hence, giving you less to worry about and more time to focus on your studies. In addition, students can complete their school work from just about anywhere, as long as there is a computer and internet connection. However as I mentioned earlier, I believe distance learning reduces the social interaction by not giving you the opportunity to become affiliated with campus life activities such as sororities and fraternities. And not all courses can actually be completed online for example;   courses that a nurse and trucker would need to been in the classroom setting because it requires a lot on hands knowledge and experience.  There are still common disadvantages such as employers or companies still do not accept distance online degrees and education as being creditable.  However, many of the disadvantages are beginning to change because of the competiveness among schools or learning institutions for student and there is a population increase among the “non-traditional student”.

      Since I work at a distance learning institution, I see the ever growing changes by the universities to keep up with the trend. We are consisting looking for ways to better address the needs of our students whether its e-books or updating blackboard to make it more user friendly among the students.  I have even experience the training and development side of distance education because most of our trainings are done virtually or online at our desk.  Even more so, I have seen the growth in the school system because I have a son that is in the third grade and a portion of his day is on the computer doing classwork.  It’s funny because at times he knows more about the computer than I do. His generation is all about technology and distance learning.   I think that with all the technology out here, it will be required to take some form of online learning course just to stay competitive in the workforce.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). 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). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70.

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.