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.
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There was discussion in the resources about equity not between face to face or traditional learning and online instruction, but in the quality of instruction in online education as to the traditional platform. How will your group try to meet that objective?
ReplyDeleteMarion Carter
Good Question. We are going to have to develop an assessment tool that will allow us to review the education delivery model along with current surveys already in place. I hope to meet with the vendor via electronic communication over the next few weeks to discuss additional plans.
ReplyDeleteI think you're off to an interesting start. Relating the article to your workplace situation is obviously relevant. LMS is quite customizable so I'm not sure it will be an issue for your school. The real question may be that LMS is already seen as a dead or dying technology.
ReplyDeleteLearntocracy,
ReplyDeleteI am interested in learning why you feel that LMS is already seen as a dying technology. Can you please elaborate?
Here is a resource you might even share with your colleagues.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/technology_and_learning/the_ipad_and_the_lms
I would love to see the online assessment compared to the assessment in place for the traditional learning environment. This sounds like an exciting project
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think about the collaboration process in online learning? What do you think about skype being introduced to enhance the online learning process?
ReplyDeleteWilliam,
ReplyDeleteCollaboration and Communication are valuable to the distance education process. It is also my opinion that they are a valuable tool outside of the education arena. When we collaborate on projects, we are viewing what others see and believe;and with that I feel that it allows us to learn to agree yet disagree. In the workplace for example, I have found myself and others making decisions (as leadership) when we should have consulted with others and received additional input.
Skype can be a valuable learning tool, if it is used adequately. I was not a skype user prior to starting my PhD program at Walden. Therefore, I was not aware of the capabilities it has to offer. One drawback with using skype is having to rely on the internet service of the colleague. If that person is not running, at a minimum, broadband connection, visual communication is not reliable. Of course, you can communication through text, which most people still use.