Distance education is becoming the selection of choice for many learners in today’s society. Siemens (2008) speaks of distance education becoming accepted in society as another means of continue learning. Distance education gives learners the option to learn in various locations. In addition to learners benefitting from distance education, staff and faculty of learning institutions are benefitting from distance education as well. One benefit that both staff and faculty share the benefits with learners is collaborative interaction. Collaborative interaction allows schools districts to share knowledge and instructor experience between the districts and sometimes between different states (Simonson, 2008). Virtual schools are providing collaborative interaction to special needs children because instructors have a better ability in some cases to interact with the students. Virtual schools also provide the opportunity for students to take advance courses that are not offered in their school districts (Cavanaugh, 2009). The ability for the students to interact with other students in a collaborative environment has improved tremendously over the years. The ability to collaborate in a virtual environment was not at the current level 12 years ago. Faster internet connections through the use of broadband and DSL is one of the major contributions to the growth of collaborative environments. The technology is a major advancement for virtual schools since the growth of collaborative interaction from the late 90’s.
Iowa and South Dakota have paved the way with technology for collaborative interaction school system (Simonson, 2008). The districts invested in ensuring a quality collaborative system by using fiber optics to connect the collaborative system. I believe the investment will pay great dividend toward the future of distance education. Collaborative interaction is possible in today’s society by using wikis, blogs, Smartphones such as the iPhone, wireless internet, and Skype. Ferriter (2009), strongly believe wikis and blogs are good tools to use for collaboration.
References
Cavanaugh, C. (2009, August 07). Vision of the future of online K-12 education in the United States. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/video_detail.cfm?vid=32190
Ferriter, B. (2009, February). Learning with blogs and wikis [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/Learning-with-Blogs-and-Wikis.aspx
Leroy, H. (2010, August 19). Collaborative learning in social networks [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.hillconcepts.com/2010/08/19/collaborative-learning-in-social-networks/
Siemens, G. (2008). The future of distance education. (Vodcast). Principles of Distance Education DVD produced by Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore.
Simonson, M. (2008). Distance education: The next generation. (Vodcast). Principles of Distance Education DVD produced by Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Next Generation of Distance Education
I agree with the authors’ position on distance education. Distance education is growing at a rapid pace in all learning environments. Dr. Simonson defines distance education as “formal education in which the learning group (teacher, students, resources) are separated by geography and sometime by time” (Simonson, 2008). Employers must recognize what training can be conducted with distance education. The increase in technology is currently not being utilized to full capability in distance education. Instructional designers are challenged to use their knowledge and skills to evolve distance education to support current and future educational needs.
According to (Moller, Foshay, & Huett) 2008, economic cost is the driving factor for businesses using distance education (p.70). Emphasis is placed on providing a quality educational product to prevent discounting distance education. In higher education, Moller (2008) identifies universities as using distance education to promote growth in enrollment (p. 66). Instructor roles have changed to coaches and mentors, as the learning process for today and the future learners is student centered (Boettcher, 2009). Instructional designers must ensure distance education is designed with advanced educational tools other than today’s version with several “online textbooks” (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008, p. 69). Quality assurance officials are closely looking at virtual schools to ensure learners are receiving a quality education (Quillen & Davis, 2010). K-12 uses two forms of distance education which are site based and non-site based (Huett, Moller, Foshay, & Coleman, 2008, p. 63). More schools are going to the virtual concepts. Florida wants every school district to have a virtual school. Simonson (2009), views technology devices such as the iPhone will allow communication with Twitter and other collaboration communities. Educators must effectively integrate this capability into future education designs.
References
Boettcher, J. (2009, August 8). Views on learners of the future. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/video_detail.cfm?vid=32201
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(5), 63-67. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0199-9.
Moller, L., Forshay, 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(3), 70-75. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0158-5.
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.
Quillen, I. & Davis, M. (2010). States eye standards for virtual educators. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/09/22/04edtech_certification.h30.html
Simonson, M. (2008). Distance education: The next generation. (Vodcast). Principles of Distance Education DVD produced by Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore.
Simonson, M. (2009, August 7). The future of distance learning and the technology needed to make this future vision possible. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/video_detail.cfm?vid=32203
According to (Moller, Foshay, & Huett) 2008, economic cost is the driving factor for businesses using distance education (p.70). Emphasis is placed on providing a quality educational product to prevent discounting distance education. In higher education, Moller (2008) identifies universities as using distance education to promote growth in enrollment (p. 66). Instructor roles have changed to coaches and mentors, as the learning process for today and the future learners is student centered (Boettcher, 2009). Instructional designers must ensure distance education is designed with advanced educational tools other than today’s version with several “online textbooks” (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008, p. 69). Quality assurance officials are closely looking at virtual schools to ensure learners are receiving a quality education (Quillen & Davis, 2010). K-12 uses two forms of distance education which are site based and non-site based (Huett, Moller, Foshay, & Coleman, 2008, p. 63). More schools are going to the virtual concepts. Florida wants every school district to have a virtual school. Simonson (2009), views technology devices such as the iPhone will allow communication with Twitter and other collaboration communities. Educators must effectively integrate this capability into future education designs.
References
Boettcher, J. (2009, August 8). Views on learners of the future. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/video_detail.cfm?vid=32201
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(5), 63-67. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0199-9.
Moller, L., Forshay, 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(3), 70-75. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0158-5.
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.
Quillen, I. & Davis, M. (2010). States eye standards for virtual educators. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2010/09/22/04edtech_certification.h30.html
Simonson, M. (2008). Distance education: The next generation. (Vodcast). Principles of Distance Education DVD produced by Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore.
Simonson, M. (2009, August 7). The future of distance learning and the technology needed to make this future vision possible. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.uwex.edu/disted/conference/video_detail.cfm?vid=32203
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