Distance Education Module 2

250 million years ago the earth existed as a supercontinent which would fragment to become what we recognize as the present day continents of the world. Exploration then led to the discovery of the New World. No longer were misconceptions allowed to stand, we could discover new truths. We were once joined in a way that would have made communication facile if we had the technology to support it.

As the world expanded new opportunities arose for communication between worlds. Information was limitless yet difficult to harness. There was a need to connect the dots between the bits of information. George Siemens proposed that a theory called Connectivism could result in greater knowledge building, especially in this new era of technology. Tools such as those used in distance education had latent strengths to facilitate these connections.

Siemens’ ideas on distance education placed an importance on elements that distinguish distance learning and give it the potential to make learning increasingly valuable. Siemens (2006) discusses the idea of global collaboration in his e-book, Knowing Knowledge. He states “as everything becomes connected, everything becomes transparent” (p. 73). The lack of geographic limitations means that global conversations are no longer restricted by physical space. We can connect with tools like Skype, instant messaging, wikis, blogs, and online publishing. As soon as new information becomes available it can be communicated. “Knowledge flows in real time” (Siemens, 2006, p. 74).

We now have the technology to support communication between vast places. The former pangaea of joined bodies of information has separated to become individual entities building personalized specialties nodes. Knowledge rests on these forces coming together in collaboration and distance learning may become the bridge that supports building those connections.

References:

Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge website. Knowing knowledge book. Retrieved September 6, 2008 from, http://www.knowingknowledge.com/book.php

Siemens, G. (Speaker). (2008). The future of distance education. Video. December 19, 2008, posted to Walden University Web site: http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3206859&Survey=1&47=4198219&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Blogs and Wikis

Picture this: Gales winds of up to 80 mph hit the city knocking out power lines and leaving hundreds of thousands of dwellers without power some for more than a week. It is hard to image needing to be so connected that within a week you feel like the world has experienced major new developments and you have missed out on the discussions that have ensued.

The power of blogs has been what has kept many Cincinnatians feeling connected and in the know. After Hurricane Ike’s remnants hit the city finding a power source to plug in your computer to get the latest news was probably similar to the way miners felt when they struck gold. Being able to hear first hand what was going on around the city from those who were experiencing it was more valuable than hearing from the energy company on when power was going to be restored, “It won’t be looong!”

In education and training the use of blogs adds a new dimension to the discussions going on. We are hearing from different sources piquing the interest of new listeners. Blogs and wikis have added a unique dimension to the discussions that are occurring in fields and the contributions individuals are making are being valued and heard. Using these dynamic tools makes the discussion of whether a tree falls in the forest worthy of having.