I think distance education should be evolved to the next generation because of the benefits it has to offer. Distance education provides flexibility, convenience, and no travel costs. However, there are a few drawbacks to distance education as well. There is no social interaction between you and your classmates, there is no face-to- face instruction, and one needs strong time management skills.
After reading the articles by Moller, Foshay, Huett, & Coleman (2008) and Simonson (2000), I agree with their positions about distance education. “Distance learning is rapidly becoming a popular choice for continuing professional education, mid-career degree programs, and lifelong learning of all kinds” (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008, pg. 66). I agree with the authors that distance education instruction needs to be well developed and designed.
Of course, there are concerns when it comes to distance education. Michael Simonson (2000) states “online students and those in face-to-face classes learn in fundamentally different environments”. He goes on further to say that distance learners should have “different but equivalent learning experiences” (Simonson, 2000, pg. 29). Simonson’s equivalency theory sets the foundation for distance education. “Equivalency is achieved through a variety of learning experiences that are tailored to the environment and situation in which students find themselves” (Simonson, 2000, pg. 30).
If designed and developed properly, distance education will evolve into the next generation.
According to Simonson (2000) “the teacher of online instruction should provide a wide collection of activities that make possible equivalent learning experiences for students using an approach that recognizes the fundamental differences between learners distant and local” (pg. 34). The benefits of distance education outweigh the negatives and this is why I feel distance education should evolve to the next generation.
According to Simonson (2000) “the teacher of online instruction should provide a wide collection of activities that make possible equivalent learning experiences for students using an approach that recognizes the fundamental differences between learners distant and local” (pg. 34). The benefits of distance education outweigh the negatives and this is why I feel distance education should evolve to the next generation.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 1: Training and Development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75. Retrieved from: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1607549341&sid=3&Fmt=6&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 2: Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70. Retrieved from: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1607894971&sid=4&Fmt=6&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD
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: K-12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67. Retrieved from: http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=1608653391&sid=2&Fmt=6&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34. Retrieved from: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=9179014&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Hello Charee,
ReplyDeleteI agree that distance education should continue to be evolved. As adults the ease and availability are what draw us to distance education. As for K-12 students, not all are meant for the classroom. I honestly believe that distance education helps some of these students to succeed in school.
Saying that I believe that the instructional design is vital to the students success.