This week's reading in the Picciano
text was encouraging. While I am engrossed in the distance learning environment
daily because of work and school, many of the points in chapter nine were
refreshing. While in high school I was able to attend a few college courses by
satellite. The students gathered in a room as the instructor lectured from
another campus. The activity was one sided as the instructor shared information
and we sat taking notes as appropriate. Discussion between classmates was
discouraged because the class monitor feared an out-of-control group and
conversation with the instructor was impossible without a telephone in the
classroom. I did not understand the concept then, but I now recognize the situation
as Figure 9.2 portrays in the Picciano text—two-way videoconferencing (2011, p. 161).
The
situation put progress in perspective for me. Distance learning has come a long
way from the origins of the university for which I work. Within just a few
decades, learning has moved from mailed VHS and paper to collaboration and
interactive with the Internet-based interfaces. It is easy to forget that
distance learning has grown so much in such little time as technological
advances are constant. As we design courses we are always looking to implement
the current practices, tools, and trends. To think that in just a year or two
they will be dated is baffling and exciting at the same time!
Distance
learning has enabled tons of learners to obtain an education that may not have
been possible otherwise. Knowing that “growth in distance learning will
continue for the unforeseeable future” is rewarding (2011, p. 181). To be part of such a force
is an honor, especially as the university I am affiliated with incorporated a
Christian worldview in every course. Through the Internet, distance learning is
not only opening doors to opportunity but also hearts to Christ. The Gospel can
be spread to nearly all corners of the earth in mere seconds. Additionally,
tools such as WebEx and Adobe Connect allow for relationships to be created and
sustained as well. It is an exciting time for technology, education, and
reconciliation!
References
Picciano, A. G. (2011).Educational
leadership and planning for technology (5th ed.). Hunter College, NY: Allyn
& Bacon.
Brittany,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is almost mind boggling to think about how far distance learning has come in such a relatively short time! If compared to how long education had gone unchanged, over one hundred years, the information age is ushering in wholesale change in distance teaching and learning. I read an article this week on twitter that was posted by Distance Education, “Not your Mom’s online degree”. It was a great article that referred to seven very distinct changes that online instruction is advancing education. One change that stuck out in my mind was how online learning is becoming more credible. In the not so distant past, credibility was a huge concern, and rightfully so. It was far less regulated than it is today. Thank heavens for online learning, as a former member of the Armed Forces, online education has meant a lot to me and continues to be a vehicle for more and more students! It has made continuing education more accessible to a wider audience!
Thank You for your thoughts.
Ron
Distance learning has the opportunity to be one of the biggest things to happen to the school choice movement. Our colleges and universities have paved the way for K-12 schools to use this tool to bring educational opportunities to places where no choice currently exists. As educators we have to be prepared and embrace educational choice as a mechanism to reach our students in a way that best meets the way that they learn. I am unwilling to except that things like distance education and charter schools cannot mutually exist with our traditional public schools. If we really care about the future of our students then we need to embrace all strategies that would lead to increased student achievement. We need to stop letting outside groups pit educators against one another and unite behind doing everything to the best of our ability.
ReplyDeleteBrittany,
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts this week were very similar to mine. I also did a reflection on how far distance learning has come. For me becoming a good student was a struggle. After attempting college in various settings for a few years I eventually tried distance learning in 2001. At that time my school would mail me books and I could mail back the assignments or I could email them. Either way my first course was a programming course and with no access to an instructor I dropped out. The next time I attempted distance learning I was more motivated and the school was fully online. Even though the learning environment was asynchronous I still did well and learned allot. With schools now allowing instructors to integrate synchronous tools like Skype, Google Hangouts, and Adobe Connect learners are truly able to interact on a much deeper level. In many ways online schools that maintain small class sizes (like ours) can provide students’ access to the instructors in ways that are not possible in traditional brick-and-mortar universities. It is not uncommon to see universities that hold classes in auditoriums where one sage-on-the-stage is lecturing to hundreds of nameless individuals without getting to know any of them. Like you I am impressed and amazed at how far distance learning has come and I look forward to being a part of it as an instructor for many years to come. -Cody