The next generation of distance education is a hot topic in the field of education and business. Distance education is being used for many reasons. Teacher shoratges, class varitey, convinence, home-school, credit recovery, and alternative school to name a few. Simonson (2013) discussed the main use in higher education for convience of adult learners. K-12 schools and now getting on the bandwagon and using it as tools in the classroom and for high school creidts. My school is using it for alternative school. Huett, Moller, Foshay, and Coleman (2008) express that teacher, parents, and students can benefit for the use of distance education in that parents can view student progress and students that are not communiative are more open for a discussion post. I agree with both positions. Distance education opens many doors to solve problems that exsist in edcuation. It can increase high school graduation rates and collaboration with students with various learning styles. Distance education needs to evolve into the next generation for all the reasons above. Our society could be more educated given better opportunities for diversity.
References:
Laureate
Education, Inc. (Producer). (2013). Distance education: The next generation[Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_3462449_1%26url%3D
Moller, L., Forshay, W. R., & Huett, J. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 52(3), 70-75. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0158-5. http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=6407b0ab-eca4-465f-b900-f7424f7ac93a%40sessionmgr110&hid=117
Hi Solita –
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy reading your post. I also agree with your perspective that distance education supports different learner styles. Simonson (2000) says that every student should have the opportunity to learn in acceptable and appropriate ways (p. 29). Do you also think there is a need for professional development to support students with different learning styles?
Thanks,
Vaughn
Reference:
Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classrooms.
New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34. Retrieved from Academic Search
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Professional development is a huge part in creating a successful distance learning environment because it is so different than teaching in a traditional classroom. If teachers do not know how to conduct and organize an online class then students in that class will not benefit from the class. Online learning has many benefits and advantages, but if teachers do not realize how to provide the learning experiences than noone will be able to be as successful as they possible could.
ReplyDeleteProfessional development is often slacked on when it comes to educating the teacher.
Vaughn,
DeleteI agree that diversity is essential. Simonson (2000) speaks of DL designers using multiple strategies to engage learners. One form of technology may not meet the needs of all learners, but if multiple technologies are used, the learner is able to have variety that enriches and challenges them in the learning experience.
Stacey
Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classrooms. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34.
Solita,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and love the bright colors (they really caught my attention). I agree with you that distant education does support different learning styles. Do you believe that there is differentiation taking place for all the different learning styles?
Do you feel the students in your district that use distance education for alternative school are actually taking advantage of having the different resources that distance education gives them?
Indeed, distance education needs to evolve into the next generation for all the reasons above, as the Internet, World Wide Web, open source software, and mobile and communication technologies have fueled distance education to allow learners to content, to learners, and to instructors interactions, as well as collaborative learning and community and assessment centered principles (Anderson, 2011). Roseth, Akcaoglu, & Zellner (2013), in their qualitative study on online education, which persons presumably considered as asynchronous instruction that was supplementary to face-to-face instruction in traditional bricks-and-mortar classrooms, discovered new potential models to include distance learners synchronous online attendance of face-to-face courses (p. 55).
ReplyDeleteReferences
Anderson, T. (Ed.). (2008). The theory and practice of online learning. (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press
Roseth, C., Akcaoglu, M., & Zellner, A. (2013). Blending synchronous face-to-face and computer-supported cooperative learning in a hybrid doctoral seminar. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 57(3), 54-59. doi: 10.1007/s11528-013-0663-z
While researching this weeks topics, I noted that some sources indicate that DE can be effectively used to provide differentiated instruction, while other sources indicate that DE is to superficial to provide anything more than a cookie cutter education. What are you thoughts?
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