Defining Distance Learning
As I started this distance learning course, I felt like I had a pretty good grasp on the definition of distance learning. At its core distance learning is when a person takes instruction without the physical teacher being present. As I read the text and so many different interpretations of distance learning I was baffled. Some of definitions are much more complicated and in-depth than others. I started to feel overwhelmed with how our text book spit these definitions from all these authors.
By far from all reading resources this week, I still think Dr. Michael Simonson’s definition in its most simplistic form best defines distance learning. He defines distance learning as self-study at a distance (Simonson, n.d.). This type of distance learning includes distance teaching and distance learning. That the teacher can also be at a distance and is still plays a critical role in the learning just as the distance learner. This definition by Dr. Simonson helped me look at distance learning from a different lens. I remember as a child my mother taking Correspondence courses via the military and her course work being delivered by mail. I didn’t really view those courses as distance learning until this course.
Additionally, I attended undergraduate study at a brick and mortar institution. As I recall there were no distance learning courses available. I do remember however accepting my first real corporate job and as part of the training, I completed the computer-based training courses, which now that I reflect back on those courses, they too were distance learning courses. Courses in the blended curriculum I’ve also developed where one of the components of the distance learning is institutionally based where my company is offering education at a distance (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, Zvacek 2012, p. 33) Another component these course offers is separation of teacher and student. The student can access the course at anytime and basically any location (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, Zvacek 2012, p. 34).
I viewed this week’s vodcast by Dr. Simonson, called Distance Education: The next Generation which explained the evolution of distance learning. I was really amazed at how far back in history Distance Learning, from the European newspapers offering composition, language and civil service courses through mail correspondence as far back at 1833 (n.d.). The fact that distance learning spawned in Europe and from my perspective progressed so quickly that we’ve been performing self-study at a distance as a civilization for a long time and it’s evolving even more with technology. To the more progressive type of distance learning by the Florida Virtual School which has a phrase, “Any time, any place, any path, any pace” to indicate it’s approach to teaching and learning.
My definition of distance learning has evolved based on my discoveries this week. Distance learning as I know it is not new, just the manner in which is done has changed, evolved and made improvements with technology and people wanting to learning anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Distance Learning provides this path. I don’t think my vision of the future of distance learning would be any different than my classmates as we see so much integration of technology and learning tools via mobile learning. Though like Simonson, I don’t see the traditional brick and mortar institutions phasing out; Just that more distance learning will be integrated into learning environments with the added social elements of collaboration and real time feedback.
References
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
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.
Simonson, M (n.d.) "Distance Education: The Next Generation" Retrieved May 5, 2012. https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=/webapps/blackboard/execute/launcher?type=Course&id=_549515_1&url=
Simonson, M (n.d.) vodcast. Distance Education: The Next Generation. Retrieved May 6, 2012. https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_549515_1%26url%3D
Mind Map
No comments:
Post a Comment