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

Evolution of Distance Learning

Is there a need to evolve distance education to the next generation? That would be similar to asking if we should make ready our old television sets to go digital. While some may want to hang on to what is old and familiar, the outdated tools may no longer work efficiently in today’s environment. Distance education is not a new concept but one that has experienced much growth within it’s more than a hundred years of existence. Simonson (2000) describes its history as growing from correspondence study to open universities to the use of the Internet to deliver content. He distinguishes, using his equivalency theory, that distance education is not identical to face-to-face education but it is the equivalent in that the same learning outcomes should be achievable.

Moller, Foshay, Huett, and Coleman (2008) suggest that there are implications for the instructional design of distance learning programs. Although research is still necessary on the "factors that ensure successful teaching and learning", (p. 65) there are still benefits that supersede the stigma attached to e-learning that demonstrate interest and positivity from faculty regarding distance learning.

Carefully structured models of distance learning could include a combination of methodologies that address some of the shortcomings of distance education such as student isolation. Simonson (2008) and Moller et al. (2008) agree that the advancement of distance education should include a supportive and collaborative effort between designers and educators to plan and influence environments that promote engaged teaching and learning at a distance.

Distance learning can arguably be seen as a sweeping initiative or as a long-term goal in education. There are no clear statistics that indicate whether or not its success is imminent. What is agreed upon is that there is a need to foster education in nontraditional environments that meets the needs of various learners. Distance learning appears to provide education that is accessible and if carefully designed, can provide meaningful learning experiences that are free of static, has a variety of channels, and can be turned on at all hours of the day.

Resources

Anderson, T. (Ed.) (2008). The Theory And Practice Of Online Learning (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.

Moller, L Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). 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). 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). 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. (2000). Making Decisions: The Use Of Electronic Technology In Online Classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29-34.

Simonson, M. (2008). (Video podcast) Distance education: The next generation. Accessed December 4, 2008 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3206859&Survey=1&47=4683208&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Simonson, M. (2008). (Video podcast) Equivalency theory. Accessed December 4, 2008 from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3206859&Survey=1&47=4683208&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Emerging Tech Podcasts

Week 9 Learning Management Systems

“Edu2.0 offers a complete Web-based learning management system for public and private teaching, more than 10,000 shared online resources, and a range of networking and collaboration features--wikis, blogs, feeds, chat, etc. And it also includes assessments, attendance logs, grading, assignments, and many other features found in traditional learning management systems but without the cost of commercial systems and without the hassle of implementing an LMS from scratch. There is no cost for Edu2.0, and there is no advertising on the site. And, unlike many social sites out there, Edu2.0 is easy on the eyes and on the brain” (Nagel, 2008).

The use of Learning Management Systems has been growing by leaps and bounds. In a blog post by Kevin Jarrett, (he seems to be my go to guy, recently) he shares statistics on the recent growth of online learning communities. Distance learning, virtual charter schools, and online learning are becoming practical tools for use in education. Edu2.0 falls into this category as a free LMS that is chock-full-of functions and resources and allows for the delivery of online courses.

Check out Edu2.0 to see the list of features and possibilities in the virtual classroom.

Dave Nagel, D. (2008). Review of Edu2.0. The Journal. Retrieved October 31, 2008 from, http://grahamglass.blogs.com/main/2008/04/the-journal-rev.html

Week 8 Wireless Technology

The use of wireless technologies such as cell phones has become commonplace for adults and children of all ages. Most adults use cell phones as they were intended to be used, as a phone. Most students though, are cell phones power users and can text without looking at the keypad, take video and post to the web with a few clicks, and access calendars and web sites with ease. Keeping this in mind, a recent article written by Christopher Null, for PC World, highlights some of the newest technologies to be on the look out for. He mentions how developments in cell phone technology will make them even more commonplace than they already are.

“Applications to eliminate the need for a printout in nearly any situation are flooding the market. Cellfire offers mobile coupons you can pull up on your phone and show to a clerk; Tickets.com now makes digital concert passes available via cell phone through its Tickets@Phone service.”

With the arrival of wireless technologies that make our lives easier shouldn’t we consider taking advantage of a technology that is routine for students in an educational settings?

Null, C. (2008). 15 Hot New Technologies That Will Change Everything. PC World. Retrieved October 30, 2008 from, http://www.pcworld.com/printable/article/id,152683/printable.html

Week 7 Asynchronous Environments

Asynchronous learning environments place the instructor and learner in different places at different times while still providing the platform for them to learn. An opportunity for learning called the K12 Online Conference 2008 is an example of this asynchronous environment at work.

I responded to Kevin Jarrett's blog (a Walden instructor, computer teacher and technology facilitator in his school district) about this upcoming K-12 online conference that is available at no cost to participants.

Check out the K-12 conference schedule which boasts of innovators in the field sharing their knowledge and experiences in a multitude of disciplines. You can follow along using Twitter, video podcasts, audio podcasts or through a chat called Cup of Joe discussion groups. Each presenter has identified three essential questions relating to their session and these will be posted on a correlating presentation using VoiceThread. Participants are invited to asynchronously post their thoughts and responses to this discussion forum.

Being able to access information and process it on a level that is meaningful to you makes for a rich and relevant learning.

Week 6 Podcasts

Ewan McIntosh’s posts a blog on the usefulness of podcasts in the classroom and presents ideas on how to make the most of your podcasting experience. He suggests taking typical school announcements and kicking them up a notch by using tools like Garage Band and Audacity to add some pizazz to your work by including images and videos to podcasts.

He provides this link which gives instructions on how you and your students can jazz up your presentations. McIntosh states:

"Making a radio show, a regular podcast, that kids and parents can find on iTunes and listen to in their own time, has huge advantages of class presentations..."

The use of audio and video emerging technologies like podcasts and educational television creates a new level of interaction and experiences for our students. Traditional lessons have students listening to a teacher deliver instruction. With these new tools, students no longer need to be passive recipients of information they can become active contributors.