In my current online class, we had the opportunity to look
back and think about our personal definition and observations of distance
learning before starting this course. I’ve personally defined distance
education as taking classes anywhere and anytime in order to attain a higher
degree such as a Master’s and Doctorate degree. However, I’ve previously
associated distance learning as taking independent studies, without any support
but self-motivation. Years ago, I had taken a class through mail correspondence.
The learning materials were shipped to my house, including the tests that I had
to mail back to the school for grading. I disliked the fact that there was no
interaction with the teacher or any of my colleagues. I couldn’t have a
discussion with anyone so all the learning I achieved was based on my own
understanding. If I didn’t understand anything, I had no one to bounce off
ideas with. Needless to say, I decided then that distance education was not for
me. I needed the traditional face-to-face class in order for me to achieve my
goal.
But life moved on and my schedule got too hectic with work
and family. Going back to school was never going to happen. However, that
changed when distance education evolved and was offered in an online format. I
decided to reconsider my opinion about distance learning and went back to
school. This week’s learning resources has expanded my view of distance
education and my observations regarding this topic has changed.
In listening to a vodcast of Dr. Simonson, he defines distance
education as formal education in which the learning group (teacher, students,
resources) are separated by geography, and sometimes by time (Laureate
production, n.d.). Throughout the years, it is interesting that distance
education has changed so much since its inception. In one of the interactive
multimedia presented in my class at Walden University, distance education’s timeline
continuum was given. It started with mail correspondence in 1873, Radio
broadcast in 1922, TV broadcast in 1934, Telephone in 1965 and Internet in 1984
(Laureate production, n.d.). This timeline showed that distance learning has
evolved as technology became more advanced. Nowadays, there are many learning
resources available and can be accessed online, and there are so many ways to
interact with your peers and instructor, making it easier to exchange ideas and
learn from each other.
Distance learning truly has evolved over time, and I think
it is due to the advancement of technology, making it almost comparable to the
traditional face-to-face classes. But even with such changes, there is one
constant factor that drives this change, and that is the need for people to
learn more. Som Naidu states that distance education grew out of the need to meet the
educational needs of those who could not be in the same place and time with the
teacher (2014). Its aim was to release educational practice from the confines
of the four walls of the classroom and make it accessible to anyone who wanted
and/or needed it, and not just those who could not afford the time and money
(Naidu, 2014). Distance learning has changed, not only in higher education, but
also in the way training is presented. Prior to e-learning opportunities, only
a few professionals are selected to participate in seminars and workshops
because of time and travel expenses. I believe that individuals nowadays are
more career- oriented and want to achieve some type of advancement
professionally or to gain more experience and enhance their skills. Distance
learning provides professionals the ability to maintain continuing education
credits, without the need to travel. Training and higher education, I believe
drives the evolution and change of distance education.
With the current advancement of distance education, I can still say that
change does not end here. Technology consistently evolves and with that, the
opportunity to make distance learning accessible to a lot more people, even
those who do not have great internet accessibility, will eventually be
resolved. Through the advancement of technology, my view of distance learning
has changed because now, it is easier than ever, to make connections digitally
and create meaningful discussions online. In the future, a lot more
Universities who are solely offering traditional face-to-face classes, will
have to provide e-learning opportunities. Otherwise, their economic status
might be affected and they lose student enrollment because of time and location
constraints. One key factor does not change, and it is an individual’s need to
learn more and advance in their field. Educational institutions will have to
adopt to such need and make themselves marketable to a rapidly growing
society of convenience-seeking learners.
Here is a video that summarizes what’s to come in the
future of distance learning.
References:
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Distance education: The next generation
[Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Moller, L., Foshay, W.R., & Huett, J. (2008). The
evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the
potential of the web (Part I: Training and Development). Techtrends, 52(3), pp 70-75. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/courseguides
Moller, L., Foshay, W.R., & Huett, J. (2008). The
evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the
potential of the web (Part II: Higher education). Techtrends, 52(4), pp 66-70. Retrieved from http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/courseguides
Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Distance learning
timeline continuum [multimedia file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Naidu, S. (2014). Looking back, looking forward: the
invention and reinvention of distance education. Distance Education, 35(3), pp 263-270.
Reinvent your Imagination (2017). Learning predictions
2017- the future of learning. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/3Nmz4l31mM4
