This week’s assignment has allowed me the opportunity to speak about an issue that I feel is not only a trend but quickly becoming an accepted practice at all levels of education, distance learning. As recently as this morning I quietly interrupted two classes here at Stark State College while looking for a piece of equipment. In each case, because today is the first day of our second summer session, instructors were taking the time to explain how each respective class will be conducted. What stood out to me was that each discussion focused around Angel, which is Stark State College’s equivalent of Black Board. What Stark State refers to as E-Learning has become an accepted tool and in most cases a requirement of instructors.
Advances in computer technology and internet capabilities have allowed both educators and learners a means to eliminate distance and time as barriers in furthering ones education. In today’s society many environments outside of educational institutions offer access to the internet. This allows educators and learners the ability to present and access required information at his or her convenience. This trend promotes a learner-centered environment, placing the responsibility of time management on the student. In the same breath one could assume the instructor is now a facilitator providing information to the learner who is then responsible to interpret the information and complete the task(s). Constructivism, a theory based on the notion that the learning process is initiated by the learner, has in my mind played a major role in the acceptance of online learning. Combine this theory along with advances in computing and you have the recipe for a future in which distance learning is more accepted as a means to engage students in projects and tasks with only the support of the facilitator.
In conclusion, as history has shown, educational technology has redefined itself. As technological advances continue to occur in areas such as computing and the internet it would be foolish to believe that these advances will slow the role of distance learning at all levels of education.
Links to informative information:
http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~bwilson/TrendsAndFutures.html
http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Sep_07/Sep_07.pdf
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2 comments:
I am glad that you brought up the subject of distance learning - I actually wouldn't have thought about it in a technological "trend" sort of way, but you made a valid argument.
In my own education, I have found distance learning very profitable. There were several points throughout my undergrad and graduate studies where, because of work schedules or location, I could not attend some of the courses that I needed to complete my degrees. These few classes enabled me to finish my undergraduate degree a semester early, saving me a lot of money. They are also allowing me to finish my graduate degree quicker than I would have otherwise, again, saving me money and precious time with my family.
But I believe that there is a point to which distance learning can be almost too trusted. I have looked up Doctoral degrees in Education, and several schools offer the degree online. While I have seen benefits from distance learning, I think a degree as esteemed as a Doctoral Degree should be more personally interactive in a face-to-face instruction. Distance learning also puts a lot more pressure on students to keep up with classes without the typical classroom setting.
Looking back at my first attempt in college back in 1989 BSU didn't have distance learning. When I started back in 2004 Blackboard was a little scary at first because I had never used it. But I became a quick fan to know that things were published grades were quick to know and being able to communicate with other classmates was wonderful. I think it helped with my learning process. Although I really liked it, it does take a well organized person, and responsible person in order to accomplish distance learning. I also liked that I could take a few extra classes and still be able to spend time with my family.
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