Reflection: Distance Learning

What do you think the perceptions of distance learning will be in the future (in 5–10 years; 10–20 years)?

I believe that distance learning will continue to grow in the next twenty years. Studies prepared on distance learning show the growth of online education. These statistics are collected from the study Staying the Course: Online Education in the United States, are based on responses of more than 2,500 colleges and universities.        

• More than 3.9 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2007 term; a 12 percent increase over the number reported the previous year.
• The 12.9 percent growth rate for online enrollments surpasses the 1.2 percent growth of the overall higher education student population.    
• More than twenty percent of all U.S. higher education students were taking at least one online course in the fall of 2007 (College Network, 2010).

       

How can you as an instructional designer be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning?

How can you as an instructional designer be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning?

As an instructional designer, I would emphasize the importance of distance learning.  I would emphasize that instructional designers have the expertise to design courses that  facilitates learning and engage the learner. Mostly, I would emphasize that instructional designers use models of design such as ADDIE, SME’s and other crucial individuals to design and deliver instruction.

How will you be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education?

         I would design instruction that supports collaboration, utilizes the latest technology and continue to develop clear goals and objectives in instruction.

References

College Network (2010). Why Schools are Going Online? Retrieved October 31,2011 from http://blog.collegenetwork.com/blog/the-future-of-distance-education.

Converting to a Distance Learning Format

 For this week’s blog we had to consider the following scenario: A training manager has been frustrated with the quality of communication among trainees in his face-to-face training sessions and wants to try something new. With his supervisor’s permission, the trainer plans to convert all current training modules to a blended learning format, which would provide trainees and trainers the opportunity to interact with each other and learn the material in both a face-to-face and online environment. In addition, he is considering putting all of his training materials on a server so that the trainees have access to resources and assignments at all times.

 I designed a brief instructional guide. The guided consisted of  describing the general abilities of the learners and characteristics. In addition, it emphasized teaching strategies and media selection.  Furthermore, the guide discussed what is needed in the learning environment from the trainer and learner.

The Impact of Open Source

          For this week’s discussion, I evaluated the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Open Course.  I chose to explore the course Survival Skills for Researchers: The Responsible Conduct of Research.

URL: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/media-arts-and-sciences/mas-714j-technologies-for-creative-learning-fall-2009/index.htm

This course is intended to provide graduate students and postdoctoral students with methods, which improve both validity and responsible conduct in scientific practice.  The instructors present practical steps for budding skills in scientific research and are intermix with discussion of cases.  The course explores study design, training of proposals and manuscripts, peer review, authorship, use of humans and non-human animals in research, accusation of misconduct, and intellectual property (Redneck & Brennan 2009).

This course is carefully preplanned and designed for the distance-learning environment because it uses a very straightforward approach of instruction.  Each course consists of the following sections:

Course Home

Syllabus

Calendar

Lecture Notes

Assignments

Readings

A well-designed course enhances the learning experiences and provides different learning tools to address different learning styles (Simonson, et al, 2009).  What I like about this course is that the course is in multiple languages, it contained supplemental readings and .pdf files of the lecture notes.  In addition, the course designer implement course activities that maximize active learning by allowing downloads of the learning materials and viewing video presentations.

References:

Redneck, Mitchel, and Karen Brennan. MAS.714J Technologies for Creative Learning, Fall 2009. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare), http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 09 Oct, 2011). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Simonson, M., Smaldino S., Albright, M.,  Zvacek, S. Teaching and Learning at a Distance. Foundations of Distance Education.  (2009)4^th Ed. Boston, MA. Pearson Education.

Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

For this week’s discussion, I will examine Example 1: Collaborative Training Environment.


A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

The two distance learning technologies I think provide the best solution for the given challenge is the use of  media sharing and a Podcast.

 The use of multimedia can enhance the online experience and improve the ability to understand and maintain information (Sheybani, et al., 2004). According to Mayer, combining visual with words can improve learning. In addition, a number of studies have shown that, dependent upon the use of good design principles, students can increase test performance and expand the transfer of learning if they are exposed to multimedia content (Mayer, 2003).


Media Sharing and Podcast

I would create a downloadable Slideshare presentation consisting of PowerPoint, audio and video. In addition, I would provide charts, graphs, Microsoft word file, and .pdf file of the information. Slideshare is a good tool that can be used to communicate ideas. The mixture of visual and text could be a good way for the staff to grasp difficult concepts (Slideshare). Similarly, a Podcast is a downloadable digital file that can be downloaded from the web. Podcast provides a way for students to take responsibility in there learning. In addition, some studies suggest that students who listen to Podcast demonstrate more successful learning (Multimedia Program).




References:

Beldarrain Y. Distance Education Trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student interaction and collaboration. Distance Education [serial online]. August 2006;27(2):139-153. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed September 25, 2011.

How to Use SlideShare To Publish PowerPoint Presentations On The Web | eHow.com retrieved September 25,2011 from http://www.ehow.com/how_4887123_use-slideshare-publish-powerpoint-presentations.html#ixzz1Z1FX1fT6.


Mayer, R. E. (2003). The promise of multimedia learning: using the same instruction design
methods across different media. Learning and Instruction, 13, 125-129. Retrieved September
25, 2011 from the Science Direct database.

Multimedia Program: The Technology of Distance Education. Retrieved September 25,2011 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5693697&Survey=1&47=7729129&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1.


Sheybani, E, & Javidi, G. (2004, October). Interactive multimedia and distance learning. Paper
presented at the 2004 ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Savannah, GA.
Retrieved September 25,2011 from http://fie.engrng.pitt.edu/fie2004/papers/1539.pdf.

Evolution of Distance Learning

Before I started this course, I viewed distance learning as learning taking place over a computer at a distance that one could access at any time. This class and my previous classes have broadened my definition of distance learning. I now understand that distance education consist of four components: institutionally based separation of instructor and student, interactive telecommunication and connecting learners, resources and instructors (Simonson et al, 2009, p.33).

This week’s resources provided me with the understanding of different theories explored in distance education. For example, Michael Moore’s (1997) Theory of transactional distance states that the following processes needed in distance learning.

1. Presentation
2. Support of learners motivation
3. Stimulate analysis and criticism
4. Give advice and counsel.
5. Arrange practice, application, testing, and evaluation.
6. Arrange for student creation of knowledge

While other theories view distance education in different ways. I have learned that there is not one best theory.

I agree with (Simonson et al 2009) that an environment in which technology, society, economics and politics and theories of learning are constantly evolving may suggest that definitions, theories and the practice of distance education will continue to be challenged. This change will both defy and encourage distance educators and researchers as they attempt to recognize and develop ways to address the needs of learners globally.

Attached is my Mindmap of how I now view distance education.

References:

Moore, M and Keegan, D., (1997)Theory of transactional distance. Theoretical Principles of Distance Education Routledge, pp. 22-38.

Simonson, M., Smaldino S., Albright, M., Zvacek, S. Teaching and Learning at a Distance.Foundations of Distance Education. (2009)4th Ed. Boston, MA. Pearson Education

EDUC-6235-1 Distance Learning

Hi my fellow cohorts.   I am very excited about this class.   I am looking foward to our discussion and interactions. Currently, I am in the hospital and I hope to be home this weekend. I am very thankful  to have WIFI access.