There is a strong need to evolve distance education to the next generation. Over the recent years, distance education has become a popular avenue of teaching and learning. Distance education is in most school systems around the world and has also entered the workforce at a rapid pace. Simonson explains that there has been an increase in distance education in the last decade which illustrates a stronger demand for the upcoming generation. Some reasons that Simonson give for this rapid evolution in distance education is that it offers self-study at a distance, it's useful in linking resources and it's basically incorporated into most learning environments. The benefits of distance education is almost incomparable to any other type of education. Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman (May, 2008) explains that distance learning is very beneficial because it is instantly available, providing timely and on-demand learning access which is impossible in a traditional learning center. They also explain that once distance learning is developed, it is accessible to tens of thousands of e-teachers and e-learners with immediate access. The expansion of distance learning has reached higher education at a profound rate. It's the main source of education as a post-secondary educator and/or learner. Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman (July 2008) explains that some colleges and universities see distance education as a way of sustaining growth. As distance education continues to grow in higher education settings, it also shows growth in the k-12 education arena. Studies (September, 2008) show that online learning in k-12 schools is addressing previously unmet needs. As I dissect the resources, I agree with the positions of the authors. Distance and online learning is moving at a rapid pace in the educational arena as well as in other sectors throughout the world. Since the demand is so great, the needs of the next generation must be met in order to go to the next level of e-teaching and e-learning.
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.
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.
Simonson, M. (2010). Distance Education: The Next Generation
I am surprised that there is even discussion about online learning in k-12. Not being in the k-12 arena, I don't see how it can be deployed with such an immature audience. Is a 1st grader or 3rd grader really computer literate enough for this learning format? And, is a 1st grader or 3rd grader really mature enough for this format?
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is a need to meet the need of our future generation and one way of doing so is via distance education! I think this can be accomplish throughout the all school level K- higher education. However, the expectations will be different. For example, K - 3rd graders may focus on a single discipline such as reading. I am confident that these children has the capability to manipulate and navigate themselves within these sites, however it will take some initial guidance. My grandson at the age of four, could navigate and use stardrop.com with no assistance after a few guided tours! Based on this, I think there should be no limit in embracing the evolving of distance education.
ReplyDeleteDistance Education is already gained huge popularity and Future generation will definitely take advantage of it. With distance education students will have enough time to experience the world practically.
ReplyDeleteDistance Education