EDUC 6135 Week 3 Blog: Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

Selecting Distance Learning Technologies

This post will identify two different distance learning technologies I believe provide the best solution to the chosen challenge. My decision has been supported with information from this week's learning resources and external sources.

Example #1: Collaborative Training Environment
This is the example I have chosen to focus on with identifying the distance learning technologies. The situation is a new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented at six regional offices. The issue is the staff is located throughout the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. Therefore, a training workshop needs to be implemented so the staff can share information in the form of screen captures, documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

Technology #1: Streaming video demonstrations
Since the training workshop needs to include information in the form of screen captures, streaming videos demonstrating the new automated staff information system would be ideal to help meet the learner's needs and outcomes of the training workshop. This technology uses the Internet to allow audio and video content to play or stream as it is downloaded from a remote source (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012). 


An example of how streaming videos have been successful in distance education is at Arkansas Tech University in the Center for Teaching & Learning. They currently have a streaming video library listed on the site, along with a link to the videos. These videos are accessible 24/7 and range in topics from classroom management to distance learning (Arkansas Tech University, 2011). The video library is updated on a regular basis. Here is the link to the video library: http://www.atu.edu/ctl/serv-annualvideos.shtml 


Technology #2: Staff Wiki site
Also, since the staff who will be attending the training workshop are required to share information in various documents and participate in online collaboration, a staff wiki site would also be the the ideal technology solution to help meet the learner's needs and outcomes of the training workshop. The staff wiki site would contain a resources section with all of the documents and resources required for the workshop and a discussion area where the staff can collaborate, ask questions, and provide comments on the information taught in the workshop. According to Simonson et al, "A wiki can be an excellent tool for collaborative online writing assignments and group activities compiling information in a single online resource" (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, p. 129, 2012).

An example of how wiki sites have been successful in distance education is for the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Program at The Open University in England. In addition to using blogs and online forums for classes in the program, wikis are also used by students and instructors as well to collaborate and share information with one another. According to Niall Sclater, the director of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Program, "Another group of students gathered their findings on a wiki, a website where people can contribute, comment and change things. They said they didn't see how the project could have been run without the wiki" (Sharman, 2007). By having a wiki site available for the training workshop, the staff members can collaborate with one another and share information in order to be successful with the new automated staff information system.  

References

Arkansas Tech University (2011). Streaming video library. Retrieved http://www.atu.edu/ctl/serv-annualvideos.shtml


Sharman, A. (2007). Distance learning: Something wiki this way comes. The Independent. Retrieved http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/further/distance-learning-something-wiki-this-way-comes-395857.html


Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

EDUC 6135 Week 1 Blog: Evolution of Distance Learning

Week 1 Blog: Evolution of Distance Learning

This blog posting for my Distance Learning (EDUC 6135) course will focus on the evolution of distance learning as it relates to my own experiences. I will include my personal definition and observations of distance learning before starting this course, along with a revised definition that combines my previous thoughts with new information I have learned so far. In addition, I will summarize my vision for the future of distance learning and include a mind map to illustrate my definition and vision for the future of distance learning.

My definition of distance learning before starting this course based upon my observations is as follows: Distance learning is formal education in which the learning group and instructor are separated. The separation between the learning group and instructor can occur due to geographic locations, time separation and knowledge transfer separation. Distance learning can occur either through synchronous or asynchronous formats.

In my current job role as an ID and as a student who is completing a program online, I have observed distance learning occurring in different formats. My observations combined with what I have learned through this week’s resources have provided me with additional insight into distance education and how it has evolved. I have learned the difference between synchronous and asynchronous formats, along with the benefits and challenges of each type of format. Synchronous distance learning is when the instructor is teaching the learning group in a live format at the same time. Asynchronous distance learning is when the learning group is being taught completely separate from the instructor on their own time. I have observed the benefits and challenges to each type of distance learning format due to the geographic locations, time separation, and knowledge transfer separation of the learning group and instructor.

This week’s learning resources have influenced my personal definition of distance learning and allowed me to think about and revise my definition. It combines my previous thoughts about distance learning, along with new information I learned this week. My revised definition of distance learning is as follows: Distance learning is institution-based formal education in which the learning group and instructor are separated. The separation between the learning group and instructor can occur due to geographic locations, time separation and transactional distance. As I learned in this week’s resources, various telecommunication systems are used to connect learning groups, instructors and resources in an effective manner (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek, 2012). Distance learning can occur either through synchronous or asynchronous formats.

My vision for the future of distance learning and education as it continues on a path of evolution and change is that distance learning will become more common and widely accepted among institutions and in corporate training. As technology continues to evolve, distance learning and education will also continue to evolve as well. As I learned in this week’s resources, distance education has evolved from mail correspondence beginning in Europe back in 1833 to emerging Web 2.0 technological advances of today, such as wikis, blogs, and podcasts (Laureate Education, Inc., n.d.). Institutions and corporations cannot ignore the fact that distance learning and education is making an overall positive impact on learners around the world. Distance education allows the learners to be able to learn from their peers and instructors who are in various geographic locations and time zones. Distance education also allows learners who may not be able to achieve higher education due to geographic location, time limits, and work and family obligations to have the same opportunities as others. Overall, I have observed distance learning have a positive impact on my co-workers, peers and myself as a professional in the education industry and as a student. I am looking forward to seeing how the advances in technology will enhance and further shape distance learning and education in the future.

Here is my completed mind map below. Click on the image to increase the size.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d.). Distance learning time continuum.

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

Travel Journal

Hi Everyone!

In case you were not aware, I also created a travel journal blog last year. If you are interested in following this blog as well, here is the link: Jackie's Travel Journal. My travel journal blog contains information on where I have been, where I would like to go, and some helpful travel tips and resources. I even added a nice tool where you can search for pet friendly hotels, which works great! :-)

Enjoy and happy travels!
Jackie

Finished my research course -- yippee!

First, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I am hopeful and optimistic 2012 will be a good year for all of us. 2011 was a challenging year for many of us. The new year provides us an opportunity for a fresh start.

Whew, I am so glad I have finished my research course! This course was the most challenging course for me so far in my program, as it was for so many of my classmates. Even though this was a challenging course, I did learn so much valuable information in the area of academic research and how it relates to the field of instructional design.

My next course, which begins on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 is called Distance Learning. This course will teach me about online and distance education in the 21st century. I am looking forward to the information I will learn in this course and how I can apply the information to my current position as an instructional designer.

Have a great year and happy learning!
Jackie