Distance learning has evolved over the past
several years. Currently, there are many
ways to learn from a distance and even more ways to relay information and
knowledge. Today’s educators and design
professionals must be ready for the next tool or trend. For me, distance learning is a growing field
and is gaining popularity, value and acceptance. Allow me to share my own personal thoughts
and definitions on what distance learning has been, what distance learning
currently is and what it will be in the future.
My initial thoughts of distance learning were
not so good ten to fifteen years ago. I
defined distance education as learning from a television set through a series
of videos or tapes. I was sure that
distance learning was a temporary trend.
I felt as if distance learning was not up to speed and as good as any
classroom environment around the country.
I felt that distance learning was second rate. I believed that people could only learn in a
classroom environment and in front of a real teacher. How could people really learn anything from a
screen? It is the personal, face-to-face
interactions between teachers and students that really make the difference. Was I right?
At the time, I thought I was right.
I now know different. I am
beginning to understand that distance education can lead to the type of deep
understanding and growth that I have desired.
My current definition of distance learning is
much more positive due to the success and quality of my education here at
Walden University. I would define
distance education as the process of learning through online collaboration and
research to deepen one’s knowledge about a skill or topic. Through the quality programs that Walden has
offered, I have been able to not only see, but also enjoy the benefits of
distance learning. I have been empowered
to be in control of my own education process.
This week’s resources have validated one of the benefits of distance
education. “In distance education, there
is a gap between teacher and student, so the student must accept a high degree
of responsibility for the conduct of the learning program” (Simonson, Smaldino,
Albright and Zvacek, 2012, p. 45). For
me, this need for a higher level of responsibility is a benefit. With this responsibility comes control and
empowerment. These two qualities really
make me appreciate distance education because I am the author and editor of my
own learning process. Although our
professors and resources do a great job supplementing the learning process, I
get to control how and when I learn and that is a big deal for me.
The future of distance education looks very
bright from my perspective. I truly
believe that the future success of distance learning will be amplified by new
modes of communication. Our text states,
“communication occurs when two or more individuals wish to share ideas”
(Simonson, Smaldino, Albright and Zvacek, 2012, p. 90). The recent improvements of social media and
mobile devices such as the iPad are leading to a more mobile classroom. In today’s terms, I can have class in my
office, at my home, in my car or at my son’s baseball game. As technological advancements continue to
come about, distance education will reap the rewards. Through futuristic technology, distance
education may become mobile education.
Although I cannot exactly tell what the future may bring, I know that
communication and the ability to connect with others is going to be high on the
list for developers and inventors. I
truly feel that distance education is not a trend. Distance education is here to stay and
possibly even develop into something more.
In conclusion, I would like to be a little
selfish and say that I want distance education all to myself. I want to keep this little piece of heaven
away from the world around me. I guess
my concerns surround the worry that as more and more people learn the value of
distance education, the more things will change. I am happy where things are because it is the
unknown that is challenging for me. I am
coming to terms that distance education will change. The key for instructional designers is to be
ready and willing to stretch for the sake of our students. We need to embrace and develop distance
education like the growing preference it truly is. For me, being a passenger on the train of
evolution is not good enough. I want to
be in the driver’s seat. Do you want to
come along with me? I think there is
room! Together, we can always achieve
more!
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching
and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.)
Boston, MA: Pearson.
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