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
Sullus,
ReplyDeleteI think you are right to the point about economics being the driving force behind the introduction of distance education in the work place. That has been my experience in healthcare. I began to introduce distance education at my last job as a cost saving measure. Instead of flying to several locations to conduct some of the training, we would send out CDs with Powerpoint presentations. If revisions were made and sent out, people would still use the previous version. In order to overcome this difficulty, we decided to use our Intranet to distribute the programs. This had several advantages. Programs could be accessed by anyone from anywhere, given the correct address and authentication information. Another advantage of distance education is the cost savings in disc copying, mailing, and travel, hotel, and meals; saving money is a decidedly corporate endeavor. Taming the economic aspect of distance education left quality as the area to focus on.
I would say the economic aspect was decidedly the easiest part!
Curt
Economic factors definitely drive decisions in the business market. There can be many benefits to utilizing distance education; however, if the target recipients are not consdiered and the expected outcomes are not quantified then the results may not be efficient even if the cost is reduced. Unfortuantely many times the indiviudals instituting the process do not fully undertsand what they are really trying to accomplish, which makes it very difficult to realize if the goal has been attained.
ReplyDeleteHi Sullus,
ReplyDeleteI agree, economic factors are critical not only to corporate America but also in education. Probably more so in education due to limited funds to begin with, at least from my experience. I've been fortunate enough to work within a number of affluent school districts in Maine. Even so, I've had to do my homework in order to convince my school board(s) of the need and long term benefits to any new technology proposed. I've just recently begun to offer limited on-line professional resources for teachers and staff. By no means, am I offering on-line courses, just a repository for reference materials, tutorials, podcasts, screencasts, helpful websites and whatnot. Similar to distance education, I'm providing instructional materials, available 24/7, from anywhere there is internet access. I'm not providing a learning community whereby participants can collaborate and support each other.