Reflection
Simonson, Smaldino, Albright
& Zvacek, (2012) define distance education as “institution- based, formal
education where the learning group is separated, and where interactive
telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources and
instructors.” p.32 this definition
clearly distinguishes distance learning from the traditional face to face
classroom by stating clearly that the group is separated and interactive
telecommunication is the means by which they are connected. Simonson et al
state that , “ the roots of distance education are least 160 years old.”p.37.
While this has roots dated so far back one has to wonder what will be the
future of distance education.
Li Hongmei (2002) explains that “Traditionally
distance education included a wide range of
activities from the correspondence, program based and broad cast over
radio or distributed video lecturers or related material to aid in instruction.
Today greater attention has focused on internet based education.”p.4, 5. The writer
continues to say that ‘the low cost diffusion of internet technologies, new
centered pedagogical thinking, increasing political commitment, competition
among educational institutions and other factors will drive the online
education forward.”p.6. As the future unfolds with vast increase of persons
obtaining master’s and doctoral degrees
these factors will certainly be on the increase. More and more computers are
becoming a “household pet” and even the smallest child in the homes can access
the computer. In addition, the rise of single parent families with overburdened
mothers who can only log in to a website after finishing a daily toil will
certainly have a positive impact on distance education. The fact that distance
education provide “anywhere and anytime” education to learners and students,
the constant need for adults to update their knowledge and skills will play a
major role in the changing the perception of distance learning. Even those with
the negative perception will find comfort in doing online courses for some
particularly who travel frequently because of job related activities and cannot
find time for to attend classes in brick and mortar will welcome and be happy
to engage in distance education
It is against this backdrop and
other factors that I as an instructional designer would be a proponent for
distance education. The world is a quick fix. Young people like money and want
to be able to keep their status quo thus although in the past distance
education appealed more to the adults “the young and traditional students have increasingly
begun to realize the new opportunities in distance education.”(non significant
difference,1999/2001).Opting for distance education will allow them the
opportunity to maintain their jobs and advance themselves at the same time.
Rather than putting everything at a halt and going off to study. In my country there
has been a significant rise in young persons and adults alike engaging in
distance education. I would therefore use proven statistical figures, examples
of successful online learners and the position they hold to push for distance
education and to help change societal perception of distance education.
It would be very important that I
pay attention to the growing trends in education have an open mind so that I
could be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance
education. According to Murihead Bill (2005), “distance education must focus on
how to reconceptualize itself and reconcile the increasing role of computer
technology in everyday educational activities with the growing adoption of distance
–like activities.” He also mentions that educators would have to be more
involved in the planning of instruction and be able to define themselves as
distance educators. I would help individuals realize that distance education
and brick and mortar institution are the same. It is just that distance
education allows one to have access to the classroom at anytime and anywhere.
However, I would stress that it demands plenty of commitment, sel motivation
and self discipline and would warn that if on lack these characteristics it
would be best not to enroll in distance education.
Distance education
has certainly made an impact on instructional design in my institution. It has
served as awareness to various avenues of instruction especially in the area of
technology. Never was I exposed to all those tools such as blogs, wikis Google,
doc forms computer management systems audio recordings just to name a few, to
transmit information. My experience with Walden has certainly provided me with
tools to enhance my students learning. I have been incorporating much of what I
have learned at my institution. Simpson Roy (2002) states that, “studies have
shown distance education does provide the requisites professionalization sometimes
better than face to face do.”Hence I will continue to be a proponent for
distance education.
Reference
Murihead Bill (2005) A Canadian perspective
on the uncertain Future of Distance education vol 26 .239-254 retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&hid=4&sid=2d191758-1a1e-4531-b3fc-e045e515bfed%40sessionmgr14
Li Hongmei (2002) Distance education:
pros and cons retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED461903.pdf
Simpson. Roy.L. See
the future of distance retrieved from
Simonson,M.,Smaldino,S.,Albright,.M.,&Zvacek,S.(2012)
Teaching and learning at a distance:
foundation of distance education.(5th ed.)Boston, MA: Pearson
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