Personal definition of distance learning
Distance learning has as many definitions as it does names. It is also referred to as online-learning or electronic-learning (e-learning). For me initially, I had no idea what online or distance learning entailed. I thought distance learning meant instead of sitting in a traditional institute classroom, I could be at home in my pajamas, as a commercial on television described, accessing my classroom using a computer. I had the notion distance learning meant my classmates, the instructor, and I were online at the same time; or that I could access a taped lecture when it was convenient to me. When it came to assignments, I thought I could work at my pace to complete the readings, do additional research and turn in completed assignments. Since I was use to institutional environment, I did not know how mid-term or final exams were handled.
From this week readings, I have learned distance education is an evolving field that is not limited to learning institutions, colleges or universities. How do I now define distance learning? I can say that it is organized educational process where the instructor, who is in one location, facilitates self-directed students in other locations and everyone is connected through the use of technical media. Simonson, Smaldino, Albright and Zvacek (2009) cited Hilary Perraton (1988) who said “Distance education is an education is an educational process in which a significant proportion of the teaching is conducted by someone removed in space and/or time from the learner.”
Observation of distance learning
I have seen distance learning move from magazines offering mail courses, to mail-in correspondence courses to on-line computer-conferenced courses. When I was a teenager, I saw an ad in a magazine that asked “Can you draw this picture?” I thought at the time I was a fair artist, so I drew the picture and sent it in. I never enrolled in the class. Later, advertising for learning skills such as a mechanic or accountant at home began showing up in magazines. I often wondered about the courses but was never curious enough to see what the courses were about. When I was in the Air Force, to be competitive for promotion, I had to complete certain military courses either by correspondence or in residency. If you did not attend a residency program (greater than 200:1odds), I, as well as every officer was expected to at least complete the courses by correspondence. A set of instructional material was mailed to your home. We were given a year to complete the entire course. At the end of each modular, I contacted the designated testing center where I scheduled the end of modular exam. Upon successfully passing the exam, the next modular of material was mailed to my home. This process continued until the course was completed.
With the advancement of technology, distance learning has taken different avenues. For example, in the late 90’s, I was taking a college course in research. The class was held in one location with the instructor lecturing. Technology was used to connect students in two other cities to the site where the instructor was lecturing. The students could see the instructor and ask questions. At my current place of employment, distance learning has ranged from simultaneous web educational offering. While the educational offering is being telecast, you can view it from your work station on your computer. Audio-teleconferences are where our state agency calls in and are connected via telephone to a system the federal government uses to disseminate educational information. With the popularity of YouTube, the federal government is now using this method to provide distance learning.
Vision for the future of distance learning
I believe the future of distance learning is linked with the continued growth of new technologies. As more of us baby boomers begin to retire and the generations after us who grew up with technology begin to take our places, I expect to see distance learning used more. My daughter who is in her second year of college tells me all the time, “You can find everything on the internet.” For example, Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek (2009) stated, “Computer conferencing increases the potential for interaction and collaborative work among the students. This type of collaboration among students was difficult with previous forms of distance education.” The computer network makes it easy for instructors to disseminate course materials to students world-wide and for students to turn in assignments. This contains mailing costs. A real option where distance learning could make a big difference is areas where there is no funds to build new schools or there is a teacher shortage. Smaller schools by combining with others can therefore provide rich and varied options normally available only at larger schools (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008).
References:
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and development). Tech Trends, 52(3), 70-75.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). Tech Trends, 52(4), 66-70.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3: K12). Tech Trends, 52(5), 63-67.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson
Definition: Distance Learning
