Distance Education's acceptance in the field of Education and in the Workplace has seen a growing acceptance of the product in more recent years. Several factors including global diversity, communication, and collaborative interaction are vital components to the success of online/distance learning.
Communication is a wonderful example of how distance education can thrive. Prior to the increased acceptance of distance education, instructors and students scheduled face to face meetings. Although F2F communication is still important, if either party had to reschedule, it could take weeks to reorganize and meet. In most education arenas, time lines are short, there is no time to reschedule appointments.
The following are just a few examples of communication tools used in distance education:
1. Skype
2. Google Groups
3. Facebook and MySpace
4. Course supported chat rooms
5. Email
6. Blogs
7. Wikis
A research of recent blogs has provided additional insight into distance education, including some discussion of communication between students. The following blog provides advise on working with classmates:
http://www.productreviewssite.com/education/college-and-university/how-you-can-succeed-with-distance-learning-education-while-you-work/
This blog focuses on the importance of communication for the adult learner in distance education:
http://community.elearners.com/all_blogs/academic_advice/b/enrollment_advice/archive/2010/03/28/online-social-networking-a-must-for-adult-students.aspx
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Next Generation of Distance Education
The focus of this blog will be on Part II of Moller, Foshaey, and Huett (2008) article on "The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web". Although the other Part I and III discuss significant roles of Distance Education on the future of learning, Part II discusses the impact of Distance Education in the field of Higher Education (my field of choice).
A focal point of the article is the increase in the number of institutions offering some form of online, e-learning, distance education opportunity to students and how the course designs and delivery are not similar to courses developed for ground based instruction. The "craft approach" to course development, as described by Moller, Foshaey, and Huett (2008), discusses this evolution and further dictates that instructors/administrators/schools believe that developing a course in this environment requires writing up a syllabus (for example) and teaching it the same as you would in a face to face environment with your students.
I think that the primary reason this article lends itself to me so well is that recently, my organization decided that we would take our existing General Education courses and deliver them to our students online. With the optional course delivery occurring in June 2010, I find that I am going to have to work with the LMS provider to make sure that we can make the syllabi, they have already built, work in the online environment.
It will be up to us to make sure that the material provided to the instructors, that will be hired, allows them the academic freedom to make the changes necessary for online delivery while keeping the components similar to the course developed for ground delivery. This will be necessary to maintain compliance with any authorizing/accrediting entity.
Some may feel that the information I have provided deviates from the point of this blog, however, its relevance is constituted by the need for valid educational objectives and compliance.
Reference:
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(4), 66-70. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0179-0.
A focal point of the article is the increase in the number of institutions offering some form of online, e-learning, distance education opportunity to students and how the course designs and delivery are not similar to courses developed for ground based instruction. The "craft approach" to course development, as described by Moller, Foshaey, and Huett (2008), discusses this evolution and further dictates that instructors/administrators/schools believe that developing a course in this environment requires writing up a syllabus (for example) and teaching it the same as you would in a face to face environment with your students.
I think that the primary reason this article lends itself to me so well is that recently, my organization decided that we would take our existing General Education courses and deliver them to our students online. With the optional course delivery occurring in June 2010, I find that I am going to have to work with the LMS provider to make sure that we can make the syllabi, they have already built, work in the online environment.
It will be up to us to make sure that the material provided to the instructors, that will be hired, allows them the academic freedom to make the changes necessary for online delivery while keeping the components similar to the course developed for ground delivery. This will be necessary to maintain compliance with any authorizing/accrediting entity.
Some may feel that the information I have provided deviates from the point of this blog, however, its relevance is constituted by the need for valid educational objectives and compliance.
Reference:
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(4), 66-70. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0179-0.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Welcome to my blog
It has been a while since I have posted a blog. As I move forward within my studies at Walden University, I will post thoughts, comments, and items related to my courses. Happy reading everyone.
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