Week 8 Reflection: The Future of Distance Learning
Overview
As technology advances and continues to improve, distance learning
should continue to advance and improve in the future as well. More students are
finding the need for flexibility in receiving education in both the K-12 and
higher education format. Although traditional education will not disappear, the
demands for online learning will likely increase in the future and institutions
will find there is a need to offer more distance learning formats. This
reflection will address specific questions below regarding the perceptions of
distance learning, how to improve the societal perceptions of distance learning
and how to be a positive force for improvement in the field of distance
education.
Perceptions
of Distance Learning
Question
#1: What do you think the perceptions of distance learning will be in the
future (in 5-10 years; 10-20 years)?
I
believe the perceptions of distance learning in the next 5-10 years and even in
the next 10-20 years will become more positive overall as people continue to see
there is value in distance learning and that students can learn just as much in
online courses. As technology continues to advance and improve, this will
provide students in online courses more opportunities to interact in different
ways with their fellow students and instructors. For example, with the presence
of social media today, people can connect with others and continue to stay in
touch with other people they know. Social media has made its way into education
as well with most institutions having a social presence on various forms of
social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. These types of
social media allow students to interact with one another around the world. The
geographic and time separation is not considered issues as much as they used to
be in the past with distance learning. Also, various Web 2.0 tools, such as
blogs, podcasting and wikis have made their way into the social fabric of
online education. As Dr. George Siemens mentions in this week’s video about the
future of distance education, we are seeing a growing acceptance of online
education due to the improvement in technology (Laureate Education, Inc.,
n.d.).
Improving
Societal Perceptions of Distance Learning
Question
#2: How can you, as an instructional designer be a proponent for improving
societal perceptions of distance learning?
Several
ways in which I can be a proponent for improving the societal perceptions of
distance learning is to ensure I am able to utilize the latest technology and
provide opportunities for learners to interact in online courses. By utilizing
the latest technology that is appropriate for the online courses and providing
various opportunities for learners to interact with one another, this can help
to improve how society perceives online education. For those who are advocates
for distance learning, I can also support them in improving others views of
distance learning who may still be skeptical of the overall value and high
quality of online education. I believe one of the effective ways to improve the
societal perceptions of distance learning as an instructional designer is to
understand the traits of distance learners and the factors that influence their
success. According to Simonson, Smaldino, Albright
and Zvacek, the success of distance learners is not only dependent upon
understanding the factors, but also making sure to address the factors as part
of the instructional delivery (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek,
2012).
Improvement
in the Field of Distance Education
Question
#3: How will you be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of
distance education?
A
few ways in which I can be a positive force for continuous improvement in the
field of distance education is to utilize the different forms of technology in
the online classes and to ensure the online classes I develop provide different
methods for interaction among the students and the instructor. For example,
simulations and games are becoming quite popular in online education. Online
simulations, such as Second Life can provide the students and instructors with
opportunities to communicate with one another in a real-time synchronous format
that is both fun and engaging at the same time. in This method of interaction
will provide the learners and the instructors with a more positive experience
and allow the learners to feel like they are in more control of their learning.
Conclusion
As technology improves over time, this should have a positive
impact on distance education and provide significant improvements on the
delivery of online courses for both the learners and instructors. It will be
interesting to see where distance education will be in the next 5-10 years and
how society perceives online education for providing the same quality and value
as a traditional learning format.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (n.d.). The
future of distance education. [Video webcast]. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6290464&Survey=1&47=5978510&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., &
Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of
distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.
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