I have gained an abundance of
insightful information about distance learning. Although, I have had many
challenges, it was a major learning experience. Each week I have learned or
clarified any of misconceptions I thought about distance learning. As Dr.
Siemens stated in this week video, many people believe the distance learning
was mainly due to the separation by geographical location, but through the use
of online communication tools and practical use of these tools we are closer
than we ever thought. Distance learning is a field that has many areas that
will always grow because technology is always being innovative. In this paper,
I am going to address the current and future understanding of distance learning
in our society by answering the three questions. First, what do I think the
perceptions of distance learning will be in the future (in 5–10 years; 10–20
years)? Secondly, how can I as an instructional designer be a proponent for
improving societal perceptions of distance learning? Lastly, how will I be a
positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education?
I perceive distance learning will be
steady growing and changing in the future. Distance learning is predicted to
increase by more than three hundred percent in the next five years which
universities and colleges are joining in by offering online degree programs
(Moller, L., Foshay, W. R, . & Huett, J. 2008). Technological fluency is
becoming a common expectation. The perception of distance learning will
continue to be more accepting as people continue to become comfortable using the
latest technologies such as new online communication tools to increase
interaction between student-student and student-instructors (Siemens, 2014).
Furthermore, I believe as people have more personal experience and practice
using new technologies such as wireless, mobile laptop computer, personal
digital assistance, video conferencing, video streaming, and gaming environment
enhance distributed learning, they will gravitate towards distance learning.
Learners will have a desire to learn through distance education. Also, in the
future, there will be a contribution by experts around the world and increase
of multimedia games and simulations. There will be more universities and
corporate organization working together as they communicate with people all
over the world. As technology advancing to be stronger as computers double in
speed while decreasing in cost, and high-speed network connections continue to
expand (Howell, S., Williams, P., & Lindsay, N., n.d.).
As a proponent for improving societal
perceptions of distance education, I will make every effort to improve distance
education by supporting faculty, designing effective courses and methods to
effectively evaluate distance learners experiences. Instructional designers
should increase all manner of interactions, to provide appropriate student
activities and, consequently, to eliminate some of the course development and
workload concerns of faculty (Moller, L., Foshay, W. R,. & Huett, J,.,
2008). The instructional approaches will be learner-centered which would
encourage learners to become self-directed and actively participated in the
learning process. This will allow the learner to be responsible for their own
learning. The course content will be dictated more by what learners need, want
and expect to learn.
I will strive to be a positive force
for continuous improvement by creating sound instructional design regardless of
the medium of delivery or the theoretical framework. As a lifelong learner, I
will continue to stay up to date with the latest technology advances and be
able to apply them in distance learning environment when it is appropriate.
Instructional designers must stay on top of the current research and be able to
defend decisions regarding who should and should not enroll in the available
distance education offerings and promote designs that have the capability to
serve the targeted student population (Huett. J., Moller, L,.Foshay, W.R.,
& Coleman, C., 2008). Instructional designers are protecting students by
promoting solid distance learning practices based on research and theory.
Overall, distance learning is
steadily growing at a fast rate. The keys to successful distance education are
in the design, development and delivery of instructions and are not related to
geography location (Simonson, M., Smaldino, S.,Albright, Micheal., &
Zvacek, S., 2012). As technology advance and students are expected to be
technology fluent, the more they will be comfortable using these same
technology tools to further their education.
References
Huett. J., Moller,L,.Foshay,
W.R., & Coleman,C. (2008). Implications for instructional design on the
potenial of the web(Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63-67.
Moller,L., Foshay,
W. R,. & Huett, J,. (2008). The Evolution of distance
education:Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web
(Part 2:Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70.
Siemens, G.
(2014). The Future of Distance Education. Laurete Education. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_4198205_1%26url%3D
Simonson,M.,
Smaldino, S.,Albright,Micheal., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and
Learning at a Distance: Foundation of Distance Education (5th ed.).
Boston: Pearson.
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