Thursday, December 17, 2009

Module 1-Reflection

As I was reading, and listening, to the resources for this week I couldn't help but to continually agree with the opinions and statements presented. In Simonsen's video he talks about the advancement of distance education and how it will increase in the future. He then elaborates that distance education will not take the place of the brick and mortar classrooms but really continue to enhance the learning process. I have been in many discussions where people have implied that teacher's are going to be obsolete like an 8-track player. While I have often wondered if that is true it is apparent that a real, talking person will be needed for many students. Distance education is not for every child and the traditional classroom will continue to be in need as we continue to evolve with technology in the classrooms. While Simonsen believes that distance education is ready to evolve to the next generation, Moller, Huett, Foshay, and Coleman (authors of Implications of Instructional Design on the Potential on the Web) are hesitant to agree.

The latter mentioned authors feel that even though distance learning is on the front of education there are still areas in need of development that inhibit its evolution to the nest generation of students. Many teachers are in need of training. Being able to reach the distance learner is very different than understanding your students you physically see each day. These teachers need to provide a learning experience that is equal to those in the traditional classroom and meet the requirements for education. In addition to teacher training there is funding and the need for classes that cover a wide spectrum of learner needs. These areas of concern are the barriers that may prohibit the diffusion of distance learning into the next generation.

While both sets of authors have their varying opinions it seems that they agree that distance education will move forward and continue to be the next step of education.


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. http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=34729472&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Distance Education: The Next Generation featuring Dr. Michael Simonson. Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Author. http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3821591&Survey=1&47=6223431&ClientNodelID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Moler, 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. http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=33281719&site=ehost-live&scope=site


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6 comments:

  1. Eric HarrisDecember 18, 2009 at 3:45 PM

    That was a very well put together summary. I know a little about how you feel about distance learning from your comment on my blog. I liked your thoughts about the teacher being obsolete like an 8 track. I think B.F Skinner would have had us out of the way a long time ago if this were the case.

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  2. TotsymaeDecember 18, 2009 at 9:51 PM

    I find it difficult to believe that teachers or even traditional classroom settings will be obsolete. Do you recall that being said for cashiers too? I would hope it wouldn't get to the level of where customer service is now. Press 1 for English, Press 2 for technical support, etc.

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  3. Kiana ThompsonDecember 19, 2009 at 1:27 PM

    You bring up some interesting points, however I do not believe face to face instruction will ever be obsolete. Distance learning will not work for everyone. It's good to have options so that eveyone can choose the best fit for themselves.

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  4. AnonymousDecember 25, 2009 at 6:11 AM

    I also do not think that face to face will become obsolete. I think that people require interaction - physical interaction - as to not become "unaffected" by the world. Imagine a person being raised in a box, with no human interaction... while food would be available no actual interaction with others would leave the person cold and insensitive...

    I know after being on the computer for a very long time I wish I could "delete" or /ignore others.. but life does not come with a backspace key and being around others, learning from others.. in face to face settings is essential for humanity.

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  5. AnonymousDecember 26, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    I agree with Tiffany in the fact that face to face learning will become obsolete- at least not in our lifetimes. There is a lot that goes into online learning and I feel that teacher training is at the top of importance. Just like teachers need to be trained for face to face teaching/learning, so do they need to be trained for online learning/teaching.

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  6. sgudjonisDecember 27, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    I couldn't agree more. FTF interaction is a vital apspect of education. I have many people ask about my feelings towards a "robot" teacher. I do not think this is the wave of the future but merely an extension of the classroom.

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