Defining Distance Learning

WK1/Defining Distance Learning

My experience with distance learning is simply from webinars. My definition prior to this weeks resources and peer learning would have been...

Distance Learning is... Training courses offered via the web either interactively or self paced.

For this assignment we are to answer....Why the definition of distance learning is always changing? What drives this change? And do we feel these changes are based on the ID's profession or by how much technological knowledge the ID possesses?

Clearly, from my definition of distance learning the amount of technological knowledge plays a hugh role! I do believe that the definition of distance learning will continue to change as the profession evolves. I also believe that the profession the ID is in also plays a role. For example education has always used solid curriculum design practices, where corporate training has not and often still does not implement solid design practices. And, as technology changes we as ID professionals will need to embrace and employ these new advances in order to evolve the ID profession.

What had never occurred to me was the various types of distance learning, such as webinars, CD ROM, Web-conferencing and other blended learning strategies. Another concept that eluded me was the design features used for distance learning. I have been designing training programs for years, so the idea that the design for distance learning would be somewhat different was new.

From the ID course I took and from this first week of this Distance Learning course I have indeed gleaned a new appreciation and understanding of Distance Learning. My new definition of Distance Learning is much more focused and comprehensive...

Distance Learning is.... Learning curriculum, designed using sound design practices, specifically for delivery where the students and the instructors are separated by location and often by time as well and technology is utilized to achieve objectives of the learning

One of the the challenges the ID profession is and will be facing is evolving the field.
Form the ID course we discussed how this will be a challenge because often people do not see the value in a comprehensive design process. In my professional experience I see this often. The client has an implied need for "Training" and simply wants to take the quickest and most low cost approach, with no consideration of quality or ensuring positive results.


This approach drives another challenge discussed in this weeks learning, the lack of sound design practices. Without sound practices the ID professional will have a difficult time understanding the learning objectives, designing appropriate content and measuring for results. This in itself could make evolving the industry very difficult!


I found the Dr Simonson video clip to be very eye opening as well as the multi Media Program DIstance Learning Timeline Continuum" Distance Learning has come a long way; from correspondence courses via mail back in the mid 1800s, to video courses in the 70s. Just viewing the "Distance Learning Timeline Continuum" one can see the impact of technology on distance learning; from mail,to radio, TV, telephone, to APPANET, to video,to universities embracing the technology, to webinars etc. I believe the evolution of distance learning will be a constant and I am looking forward to embracing and implementing.

Take a look at Distance Learning Moving Forward-The Mind Map


https://bubbl.us/?h=7dcdc/ee829/51quieHJZ59Bc


References:


Laureate Education. (Producer). (2010). Distance Education: The Next Generation. [Online]. Retrieved from Walden University eCollege

Probert, D. (2010). Virtual reality learning environments. In B. Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved from http://eet.sdsu.edu/eetwiki/index.php/Virtual_reality_learning_environments
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson., Chapter 2, "Definitions, History, and Theories of Distance Education" (pp. 31–40 only)

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). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.

Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., and Haywood, K., (2011). The 2011 Horizon Report. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium, The 2011 Horizon Report is a collaboration between