Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

The element I chose was communication.

How has this element evolved?




In the way this element has evolved is that technology has evolved.  Almost every home in America has the internet and a computer.  If you don't have internet and computer most libraries have internet access and computers.  Five years ago, if you would have told me that I would have earned my Masters degree online, I would have told you that you were crazy, but I have a Masters Diploma to prove that it can be done.  There are more and more adult learners earning degrees online and not just adult learners, but my son who is enrolled at ETSU in Johnson City, TN is not only taking traditional courses but also online courses.  Little by little, this small insignificant world wide web has opened new doors to not only information but to businesses, colleges and to education for all types of learners.

What online tools are available today to facilitate these interactions among learners?

One of the major tools that are available today to facilitate the interactions are the internet.  The second I would say would be Skype.  But not all learners use Skype as F2F learning is ot necessary and some people would rather not have it.  Distance is no longer an issue as I can sit in my living room in my pj's and work on a paper, talk with a classmate, or email my professor.  My conversations can be with a global group, not just some people in my classroom.  I can discuss technology with a classmate from India and with someone from South America at the same time.  This type of learning is  not only leaning towards education, the corporate world is taking hold also.  The one thing that is important is that the learner needs to feel comfortable and for some people this is fine.  Myself, I enjoy the online community as it lets me meet some new and interesting friends I may have never met had I not been taking online classes.  

Responses

I responded to Lou Anns blog:   http://loumorris.blogspot.com/2010/12/distance-education.html


and to Taryn Hailstock:  http://tarynhailstock.blogspot.com/2010/12/next-generation-of-distance-education.html

The Next Generation of Distance Education

 Distance Education has not taken off I believe the way that most people have thought it would.  according to Dr Simonson.  Here in the United States, we have just begun using distance education and hopefully will use it to its full potential in the near future. 

At first the distance education was used in the business sector and has now evolved over into the educational section.  I know that in our district, we are using distance education by taking our Algebra Classes from the high school down to the middle school.  Professional development is being used by distance learning. 

As far as the "craft approach" used by educators to develop lessons, this cannot compare to the traditional classroom.  There are many ins and outs to using and developing distance learning and it being productive for teacher and students.

I feel that one of our most important factors that can be hindered by distance learning is getting to know our students.  This can be an important factor not only for students but for professors as well.  Even thought this can bring us different strategies and different ideas, the common factor is teacher / student.  I sometimes wonder if people tend to forget these to common factors.  I agree with a classmate though the the benefits outweigh the negative effects of distance learning. 



References:


Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). 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.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 2: Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70.

Principles of Distance Education

Hi, my name is Kimberly Dean and this blog is for my class on Principles of Distance Learning.  I am currently enrolled at Walden University in my Ed.S program for Educational Technology.  Please feel free to comment.