Week 1 Blog

Personal definition of distance learning prior to this course 

My personal definition of distance learning entails all learning using printed or electronic media where a learner is being taught in a different location from their instructor. It can occur synchronously, asynchronously, or hybrid via digital communication applications or conventional mail as in correspondence courses. It requires a lot of discipline as the learning is often self-directed and autonomous, and learners practice time management to fulfill their course obligations, meet assignment deadlines and achieve course objectives. 

An explanation of what I have learned in Week One and how this new knowledge has changed your definition of distance learning.

Globalization and the ubiquitous use of technology have brought about an evolution and expansion in the definition of distance education, and its uses. Among the many terms referring to online distance learning are a virtual school, open learning, and online distance education.  This week I learned that distance education began as correspondence courses and then evolved to tv and satellite broadcasts before the availability of affordable technology led to the responsive multimedia online learning that it is today.  Although there are various definitions of online distance learning and it may have different names based on its context, it generally is defined by the use of telecommunication and electronic devices used to conduct learning when the learner and the instructors are not in the same geographical location ( US Department of Education,2006 cited by Simonson et al., 2019).  

The knowledge of the history of distance education has changed my perspective and appreciation for how much it has changed from correspondence to more dynamic design due to the integration of technology and multimedia elements. Although I have a preference for the use of multimedia instead of text in the delivery of content, I agree that it is the teaching strategies that create deep learning and not the overuse of media and interactivity elements.  I agree with Simonson et al ( 2019), who defines distance learning as institution-based learning facilitated by telecommunications technologies that connect learners with the respective resources, and instructors.  This broad definition best defines what it is now and what it could become as technology and society continue to evolve and impact the way we learn.

 The history of distance education documents that it is more than a century old beginning with its evolution from correspondence courses in 1840  studying Pitman shorthand and it spread across to Germany and then to the USA teaching students languages and bible studies using correspondence methods launched by private correspondence schools. 

 With the advancement in electronic communication in the 1950s to 1980s  distanced education occurred in television and satellite with the help of government funding using the Appalachian Education Satellite Project that began in 1974.   further advancement in fiber optics communication technology provided high-quality, two-way audio capable of delivering interactive education using the Internet and voice-over IP in the early 1980s.  this fiber optic technology started the  Iowa Communications Network (ICN) which services over 1000 Iowa classrooms providing thousands of hours of asynchronous education  (Gillispie, Cassis, Fujinaka, & McMahon 2013 cited by Simonson et al., 2019).  

Presently, we continue to use this fiber optics technology, to continue to make advancements in distance education using multimedia materials, recordings, online discussions, and computer conferencing capabilities to offer more online asynchronous distance education and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC)s which are traditional lectures converted to audio and video and posted online  ( Simonson 2012)  to teach thousands. However, while  MOOCs may not be sustainably offered in the long run,  the future of online distance education offered in higher education, corporate and K-12, will continue to evolve in response to global, political, technological, and economical influences  (Simonson et al., 2019). 

 A Summary of My Vision for the Future of Distance Learning

Summary of my mind map definition of Online distance education is that all distance learning has the following characteristics: it is learner-centric, systematic learning that occurs between geographically distant learners and instructors, using telecommunication technologies and devices like computers, internet, and other mobile devices and communications applications like zoom, Webex and Microsoft teams to facilitate communication and collaborations.  It aligns learning objectives and outcomes with sequenced lessons and activities and provides learners with digital and multimedia resources like ebooks, videos, audio, and learning communities for support. 

Distance learning, previously known as e-learning, online distance education, and virtual school can take place in many contexts such as Kindergarten to grade 12,   higher education, corporate and military.  It can occur individually or in groups in different delivery modes such as synchronous, asynchronous, hybrid, and open learning in large numbers like MOOCs. 

The benefits of distance education are that it is economical, flexible, and convenient.  The initial cost of implementation can be expensive but this is offset by the ability to cut training costs by using developed courses repeatedly, thus making it a desirable choice for large corporations. 

Effective Distance education is built on sound pedagogical and design principles to include, including constructivism, behaviorism, socio-cognitivism, multimedia principles, and blooms taxonomy which supports metacognition, feedback and motivation, collaboration and communication and the alignment of learning outcomes with activities and assessment to support deep learning.

 

 Despite its benefits, if designed poorly, online distance education can cause student attrition and quality assurance issues and result in poor learning outcomes. Distance education continues to evolve as it is continually influenced by such factors as globalization, technological advancement, economics, and politics. 

My vision for e-learning is to see more institutions utilize the best practices to create more consistent and deeper learning for all levels of learners. I would like to see more colleges and universities in the Caribbean adopt more asynchronous online distance education thereby increasing access to the greater population. I would also like to see more tertiary institutions reduce the price of tuition to make higher education more affordable.

Create a mindmap of your new definition and vision of distance learning and post this in your blog 

( Click the Link below to view the mindmap)

Distance Learning Map

Reference

Simonson, M., Zvacek, S., & Smaldino, S. (2019). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (7th ed.) Information Age Publishing.