Module 2: My comments

Comments #1 Http://juliekaplan.wordpress.com/

Comments #2 http://langstonnotes.blogspot.com/2011/12/module-2-assinment.html

Module 2: Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

Over the years, there have been more and more recent advances in computer networking technologies as far as distance learning is concerned. Computer-based instruction programs have become more rapid and users are now given more freedom of time and location for their studies. Distance education is far from new, but recent years have shown advancements in the mechanisms and tools available for its implementation and support. Distance education has now integrated new communication technologies. George Siemens discussed the growing acceptance of distance education in today’s corporate and educational spheres, including three possible elements of distance education that are creating more effective learning experiences and giving distance education an identity of its own distinct from face-to-face courses. These courses include: global diversity, communication, and collaboration interaction.

I think one of the most important parts of distance education is the communication and collaborative interaction between the learners as well as the facilitators. With the communication and collaboration, there are many strengths as well as weaknesses. Listed below are the strengths and weaknesses of the online format.

What are the strengths of the online format, in general? How can instructors and students take advantage of these strengths?
- There are many strengths of the online format. First, students can complete their degrees and the convenience of his/her daily schedule. According to Oblinger, Barone, and Hawkins (2001), online learning provides flexibility for students to incorporate education into their schedules. This is very convenient for those who have jobs and can’t make it to a traditional classroom setting each afternoon. Rather than traveling, this extra time could be used for studying, reading, or responding to other classmates.

What are the weaknesses or limitations of the online format, in general? What can be done to overcome these weaknesses/limitations?
- Before there can be online programs for student success, there are many things that should be looked at. First, the lack of internet access or computers for some. There are many who would like to go back to school at their convenience by completing online courses. However, many of them don’t have access to computers or internet. Before students can complete online courses, they have to have some level of computer literacy. What happens to those students who want get their degree but has no level of computer use? Another problem with online learning is technological difficulties that may or could arise. We are not always guaranteed that our computers or laptops will not encounter problems as we continue throughout our coursework.

Today, there are many different tools available for learners as they participate in online education. Students have access to email addresses for other learners as well as different ways of contacting one another. This way, they can work together and collaborate on a daily basis. Learners also have access to different tutorial programs such as: the Writing Lab or personal tutors. When learners are having trouble with writing or other things within the classroom, there are various routes for them to take to get this issues resolved. To make sure that learners are communicating and elaborating with others, facilitators are beginning to require students to work in groups on different projects and activities. Students work together to create wiki spaces with different assignments and more.

References:
Oblinger, D. G., Barone, C. A., & Hawkins, B. L. (2001). Distributed education and its challenges: An overview. American Council on Education and Educause.
Siemens, G. (2008). Assessment of collaborative learning. Vodocast. Laureate Education, Inc.

Supplemental Resources:
“The Future of Distance Education” (Approx. 4 min)
In this program, George Siemens provides insight into the reasons for the growing acceptance of distance education and focuses on elements that might be better achieved online than in a F2F environment, including global diversity, communication, and collaborative interaction, and how they can be achieved more easily with the introduction of new technologies.

“Distance Education: Higher Education, K12, and the Corporate World” (Approx. 14 min)
In this program, Dr. Michael Simonson explores the possible advantages of distance education as compared to face-to-face education. He describes the gradual evolution from hybrid (or blended) models for instruction and learning to fully online education in higher education, virtual schools, collaborative systems, and mirror curriculum in K12 education, as well as the increased return on investment in the corporate world.

Christensen, C. M. (2008). Disruptively deploying computers. In Disrupting class: How disruptive innovations will change the way the world learns (pp. 89–119). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Module 1: The Next Generation of Distance Education

After examining resources this week about the evlolution and diffusion of distance education, I found similarities and differences in the views of how it will impact the next generation of learners. According to Dr. Michael Simonson, "in an evolutionary way, we are going to begin to use distance education technologies almost across the board in the teaching-learning process: K-12 education, professional education, and in the training environment in corporations and businesses" (Laureate Education Inc., 2008). Specifically in my field of work in middle school education, it is neccassary to prepare students with the knowledge and skills neccessary to learn through distance education. Similarly, finding that as distance education technologies change the teaching and learning processes, "It is incumbent upon all professionals with a commitment to the potential of technology in education and training, no matter what their theoretical or ideological bent, to think outside the box, to coolaborate and to advance the common vision" (Huett,Moller,Foshay,Coleman, 2008). As technology advances with knowledge, there will likely come a time when education will truly lie in the hands of those who seek it, not just those who can afford it. Although there is often hesitation from educators to explore teaching through virtual schooling. I agree with these views that all fields of distance education must work together to improve how it is used for instruction and student learning.

These two views show similarities, but they also have contrasting views on the equivalency of face-to-face and online course. Simonson believes in an Equivalency Theory, stating that the two types of education should have the same learning outcomes, and provide equivalent experiences to meet those outcomes (Laureate Education Inc., 2008). Yet, Huett believes that "the effectiveness of distance education has more to do with who is teaching, who is leaning, and how that learning is accomplished and less to with the medium." I would have to agree more with the positions of Huett because I believe that distance education is meant to create more of a variety of options for experiences than that of a face-to-face classroom, not just equivalent experiences. It should focus more on the learner and the instructional tools that can be used to address each student's learning styles. As students in the 21st century are exposed to evolving technologies, it is necessary to incorporate those tools into the ways students learn in order to keep them motivated and engaged.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer) (2008). Principles of distance education: the next generation. Baltimore, MD: Author

Huett. J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63-67.