Today, there are a plethora of tools available to facilitate
interaction amongst students.
Individuals equipped with these tools have the ability to communicate
with others globally for leisure and/or work.
Siemens stated that, “people who traditionally found face to face
communication was primary are starting to realize that they can have really
meaningful relationships through online media” (Laureate Education, 2008). The methods in which individuals utilize to
communicate have advanced from the archaic methods of the past such as the
telegraph and stage coach. Stevens (2009) reflected on how collaboration in
virtual classrooms makes geography a non factor. Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and Skype offer
different methods for learners to collaborate face to face in a virtual world
setting.
According to Siemens (2008), in order for distance education
to evolve, attention must be given to the importance of technology. Distance education will continue to thrive as
new ways of collaborating and communicating are developed. According to Morris (2010), global diversity
seemed virtually unheard of years ago.
Not many institutions offered these services due to the fact that
implementation expenses were pricey. In
traditional face-to-face teaching principles and pedagogy, communication is
limited to other participants who are present in the room with you. Distance education participants have the
ability to collaborate and communicate with others around the globe
synchronously (Laureate Education, 2008).
Furthermore, collaborating in distance education allows individuals to
communicate outside of their normal parameters and on an independent level.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Siemens, George: The Future
of Distance Education. Principles of distance education. Baltimore,
MD: Author.
Hello Ennis,
ReplyDeleteSiemens discussed the change agent adapting and meeting the professors of higher education where they are in an effort to influence them to embrace the Distance Education value. What would you recommend as a strategy for increasing their acceptance towards online learning?
April
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Siemens, George: The Future of Distance Education. Principles of distance education. Baltimore, MD: Author.
April,
DeleteOne thing educational leaders must remember is that distance education has become such a popular method to earning a degree in today’s society because it is more convenient for individuals to work at their own tempo from anywhere they feel at ease. For this same reason, educational leaders must develop and implement online programs which do not aim to replicate face-to-face education due to the fact that material and structure should be taught in another way. I agree that change agents will play a critical role in the acceptance of online learning by way of articulating to constituents the importance and value of distance education.
Ennis,
ReplyDeleteYou make some very valid points. The advances in technology increase each day. When we purchase a piece of technology (phone, computer, tablet, etc.) a newer version comes out in a few weeks or months. Do you foresee any slowing? Or do you believe it will grow even faster?
Ennis,
ReplyDeleteMy undergraduate and Master's degrees were in fine art, and I think it allows for a relevant comparison of what we are doing now in distance education. Artists should never work in a vacuum, nor should doctoral students. Our experiences and knowledge cannot grow in these environments. In order to expand my artistic horizons in college, I studied in Japan, France, England, Canada, and Savannah. Do you think we will see less students studying abroad with the advantages we have in distance education studying with students from all over the world?
Best,
Marc
Marc,
DeleteYou make a good point. Although I believe distance education will provide us with more opportunities to collaborate and learn with others from different geographical areas, I don’t think this will lead to a reduction in the number of student studying aboard. From my experience, students who desire to study aboard do so for the education as well as the chance to visit another country they consider interesting. Therefore, I cannot imagine study aboard programs disappearing but what is more likely to happen is an increase in collaboration with individuals met while aboard once students return home.