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
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I enjoyed this blog. The examples that you gave for the means of communication are some of the same examples I used in my post about collaboration. This goes to show that the two go together in a successful online setting.
ReplyDeleteTerry and Donna,
ReplyDeleteI think we all mentioned mostly the same communication tools because those are the ones that are most prominent and easiest to use. I liked what Terry said about how in the F2F setting, if something happens and we need to reschedule, then it could take weeks...I know I have to plan everything well in advance if I am going to meet with someone.
Great post, Terry
Thank you Tippi and Donna. We all can agree that there are common technologies that are available for collaboration and communication. During our studies at Walden, have either of you come across a form of virtual communication that is not associated with products previously discussed?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletemrion.carter@waldenu.edu
ReplyDeleteIf you are like me, having the ability to make contacts and communicate quickly to clients, students, or friends is a must. Many of the population I work with live, and or work in rural communities where communication on a face to face platform is limited. Often technology resources are the keys to keeping lines of communication open and distributing critical information. Even in this age of communication, it is vital to keep perspective of what the objectives are in our communications, and that our focus is learner centered and that our communication to the learner and as learners, has merit and credibility.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit, but until my studies at Walden, I never really used any communication tools other than e-mail and text. This has definitely been an eye-opener for me ;-)
ReplyDeleteTerry,
ReplyDeleteDo you see any impediments to the communication tools you describe as they relate to online learning? Would you say that participants engage in the virtual learning space the same as they might in a less formal context? Although I have extensive experience in the use and virtual collaboration with these tools, I am especially interested to hear how others perceive them.
I think the impediment to the communication tools occurs when students are unsure of the product. I still fill uncomfortable with some wiki sites because not all are easy to navigate.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your second question, I do not believe so. Recently, I have created a wiki site for members of my campus management to collaborate on our campus catalog. I feel good using this tool; however, there will be many that will not wish to use the product. They would rather have multiple emails sent between the group and multiple versions of the catalog out there. Mostly, because of an unwillingness to learn the product.
The question becomes, how can we get them to use product and feel comfortable?