Reflection on the current and future perceptions of distance learning in our society

I think that distance learners will increase over time as it has been doing over the years.  Dr. Siemens (2010) states that distance learning will continue to increase and be accepted in society.  He gave a great example.  In the video he stated to think back five years ago and compare it to distance learning today.  Five years ago when individuals were contemplating distance learning and the technology that should be used, it was not a realistic thought that technology could be as magnificent as it is today.  As years pass technology grows and its uses expand.  Five years from today we should have additional technology for distance learning classes that are not thought of today. 

As a current trainer I am currently aware of the importance of learning regardless of the environment.  As a trainer I have trained in traditional classroom settings, distance learning settings, and assisted with material creation as well.  This makes me aware of what is needed in the classroom for many different students.  As an instructional designer I will strive to develop effective methods to create distance learning courses that will assist in not allowing distance learning courses to stand out in a negative manner only because the majority or accustomed to a traditional classroom. 

As I learn and technology improves I will be able to create distance learning courses that will work for all learners, even the current learners that may not have the learning style that is perceived to be needed for the current online courses today.  In fact, one article referenced the use of a “craft approach” wherein instructors simply convert their face-to-face traditional instruction into an online format, without changing anything except location (Moller et al., 2008).  Another aspect is that when converted to online the designer will pay more attention to adding exceptional technology throughout the course and put less focus on the material and format.  I will make sure to focus on exceptional quality, analyze effectively, design to fit the learners, and improve the current designs.

I will continue to be a positive force at my organization in my field as I have been.  I always find ways to improve my online courses by getting to know my students and receiving feedback from my students.  This feedback allows me to see what is stated continuously and it allows me to make the needed improvements for my learners in the course.  I will also continue to increase my knowledge in the field and also use that knowledge to create effective material and successful learners.  Although there are usually strict timeframes I will make sure I enforce the needs assessment phase because that will make a great difference in my material.  The needs assessment phase is particularly important to ensuring that the instructional program will be designed to actually meet the needs of the institution and/or learners. Glossing over this part of the process often results in superficial evaluations and negative results (Moller et al., 2008).

 

 

 

 

References

 

Moller, L., Foshay, W. R., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). The evolution of distance

education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70. Retrieved from http://lynnmunoz.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/the-impact-of-distance/.

 

Siemens, G.  (2010).  The future of distance education.  Laureate Education, Inc.

(Producer).  Video

 

Converting to a Distance Learning Format

                      Converting to a Distance Learning Format

      Take a look at the video listed below. The video below shows us a school that transitioned to a

blended learning environment. The blended learning environment also was not held in two different

location. Please view the video below.

 
          In the video they show a classroom setting of students sitting in a classroom setting

learning the daily material. The school transitioned to a blended learning environment, but with

the transition the students sis not transfer the online environment to a different area. The students

that were learning in the traditional class remained in the same class as the students that were

completing online lessons. The teachers would have the students rotate from listening to the

teacher to completing online assignment. Do you think the student's working online can focus on

the material if they are in the same room as the students learning from a live teacher? There are

many ways to set up a blended learning environment and this gives you something to think about

because the students must always come first.

       Pre-planning strategies the trainer needs to consider before converting the blended

learning program is critical. An important aspect of distant learning is to provide a valuable

learning experience to students who might not otherwise have access to learning (Simonson,

2012). The trainer must first review the course to examine the needs of the course and the

needs of the students. During the review the trainer should review both aspects to see what has

been working over time and what may not have been working for the class and the students.

During the review phase the trainer or designer should collaborate with a subject matter expert

to make sure they are aware of all aspects and to received information and advise that would

assist with class improvement.

            A blended learning approach combines face to face classroom methods with computer-
mediated activities to form an integrated instructional approach.

Therefore if the trainer will be moving from a traditional course there will need to be many aspects to

consider because the class will now be working partially online and some students may not have an

online class experience. The blended learning course has to present the best of both worlds related to

the live classroom and online environment. The trainer would review to verify what information

would be better presented online and also what appropriate CMS system should be used for

the course to make it effective. Videos, and material can be enhanced in the online environment

to show pictures, video, and audio that would make the course more exciting. As an online

trainer, the trainer must try to find a good way to communicate and interact with the students

consistently. Never allow the learners to remain passive (Simonson, 2012).







Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a

     distance: Foundations of distance education : Pearson.
   

Distance Learning - The Impact of Open Source

The Impact of Open Source

The distance learning course I chose is titled, “Conversations you can’t have on a campus: Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Identity.  The course is organized well and the requirements and material are very clear to students and readers.  The course follows the recommendations for online instruction as listed in the text book.  It lines up with Andragogy-Malcolm Knowles theory.  Knowles theory is relevant to adult learners.  Andragogy deals with frameworks for programs designed for the adult learner. “The attainment of adulthood is concomitant on adults coming to perceive themselves as self-directing individuals” (Brookfield, 1986).  On an adult learner could work with the format of this online course because all basis of the material is self -directed and it is placed in a format so that the learner can explore, read, and review the information while learning the set-up of the site and how to access certain information and material. 

The course designer implemented the course activities to maximize active learning for the students.  There are six sections formatted in the course.  The course home, the syllabus, calendar, readings, assignments, and download course materials.  The home page provides the title and gives a brief description of the course.  There is also a syllabus that gives a more detailed description and also provides the requirements for the course.  I really enjoyed the calendar, readings, and assignments sections because everything is formatted in a basic way and it is very easy to view and understand.  The students will not have to view many different sections or find many different sections to get the information that they need. The view of the assignments section is listed below.  The topics are listed and there are the pdf document links listed to take you right to the information you need.  This format will allow students the opportunity to spend most of their time on their work and assignments and less time trying to learn the sight and finding information.

 

TOPICS	REFLECTION PAPERS
Affirmative action at MIT	(PDF) (PDF) (PDF) (PDF) (PDF) (PDF)
Religion and sexuality	(PDF) (PDF)
Relationship between MIT and Wellesley students	(PDF) (PDF)
Evolution and creationism	(PDF) (PDF) (PDF)

Course: http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/political-science/17-s914-conversations-you-cant-have-on-campus-race-ethnicity-gender-and-identity-spring-2012/index.htm

 

References

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2006). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.).