· 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?
·
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considered outdated due the ever-evolving resources of the Internet.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
