Monday, September 28, 2009

Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

The advantages and benefits of online learning are gradually starting to be notice by more and more individuals. Online learning offers flexibility and easy access to course materials and readings. One reason I chose online learning is because of the flexibility it offers to my hectic schedule. More can be done to strengthen online forums such as adding satelite and video lectures as well as web chats where instructors and students can communicate back and forward with each other. Weaknesses may include instuctors lack of communication in timely manner. Students being unable to access the system due to glitches or system matenience up keep. Other than that, online education was the perfect choice for me. There exist a growing acceptance of online learning because of increase in online communication, practical experience with new tools, growing comfort with online discourse, and ability to communicate with diverse and global groups (Siemens, 2008). Opportunities for growth can be in the form of increase in student enrollment, more corporate sponsorships and partnerships to increase enrollment, and increase in workforce training. These opportunities can be maximized by the creation of virtual universities that cater to working and professional adults, providing education to individuals of diverse backgrounds, and collaborations with businesses to keep interest in online programs promoted. “Collaboration with other entities also can help educational institutions round out their distributed education programs (2001). Many online learning programs have webchat and skype in order to help students stay in contact with their instructors and classmates. Message boards in the classroom forum along with email also helps keep students in contact with instructors and classmates. Online learning has come a long way since the correspondence courses of the sixties and seventies but there is still more that needs to be done in order to make online learning more successful.



Sources

Siemens, G. (2008). The Future of Distance Education. Laureate Education Inc, Baltimore, Arthur.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Enjoying my new courses

Hello Bloggers,
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am two weeks into my third and fourth classes at Walden and everything is going okay now. I hope that things do not change, we are being asked to use video media and youtube to give a final presentation and I have to admit that I am nervous. I have a Youtube account and I know how to use a diigital camera and windows media to make videos but there is still much that I don't know. I have ten more weeks to go before its over. I am still excited and I am still enjoying Walden. Until my next post, catch you later.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Amendment of previous post.

I realized that the links of my previous post were of the same article. I have included a link that contains all three articles. Sorry for the error. Thanks!

Link : http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/results?vid=11&hid=6&sid=59279293-979d-4eb0-9cef-f37be9ffdc93%40sessionmgr11&bquery=(TX+(The+evolution+of+distance+education%3a+Implications+for+instructional+design+on+the+potential+of+the+web))&bdata=JmRiPWFwaCZ0eXBlPTEmc2l0ZT1laG9zdC1saXZlJnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#1.

The Next Generation of Distance Learning (Module 1 reflection)

Reflection on Module 1’s course readings.
During module one, my EDUC-7102 course have been discussing the topic of the next generation of distance learning. During the first week of module one, I read The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. The reading is a three part article dealing with the trends in e-learning and how they impact higher education and K-12 sectors. The article suggests that the following components impact the effects of e-learning in training and development: The Need for Better ISD Methodologies and the Revision of Learning Models. According to Moller et al (2008), Design-on instruction that prepares learners to solve ill structured
problems through transformative or generative processes. The article goes on to suggest that, Transformative or generative processes focus on thinking, creativity, collaboration, dialogue, and argumentation that are directed toward solving ill-structured problems (2008). The first article also exerts that the need for better ISD methodologies should be followed by better instruction and learning models. Moller et al suggest (2008) the focus must contain capabilities not possible or at least highly impractical
in a traditional classroom. The second portion of this three part article talks about the challenges educators face when teaching courses online or using an e-learning format. Distance learning has become so popular that it is considered to become a mainstream form of pursuing or furthering one’s education. According to the article (2008), “ Educators in the distance medium are faced with new pedagogical issues surrounding student interactions, course content design and delivery, multiple levels of communication, defining new types of assignments and performance expectations, and different assessment and evaluation techniques (to name a few).” In the third component of this article, the writers discuss the role that No Child Left Behind has played in e-learning. The third component discusses how NCLB made virtual schools possible and how some virtual schools offer courses for regular high school students while operating outside of school districts that the regular high school students live and attend school within. The article goes on to stress the need of trained professionals that are needed to teach online courses and how curriculum should be organized to address the needs of online students as well as traditional students. I agree that distance education needs to evolve pass the self-learner or self taught approach. There needs to exist a interaction between teacher and student other than static emails and postings on a online message board or forum. Online students should be able to communicate with their instructors in real time or at the moment just as traditional classroom students do.

Resources
Moller, 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. Retrieved on September 15, 2009 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=9&hid=2&sid=59279293-979d-4eb0-9cef-f37be9ffdc93%40sessionmgr11 .

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70. Retrieved on September 15, 2009 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=9&hid=2&sid=59279293-979d-4eb0-9cef-f37be9ffdc93%40sessionmgr11 .

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. Retrieved on September 15, 2009 from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdf?vid=9&hid=2&sid=59279293-979d-4eb0-9cef-f37be9ffdc93%40sessionmgr11.

The Next Generation of Distance Learning

Hello fellow bloggers!
As part of my requirement for my EdS program in Educational technology, I have to post a serious of reflections regarding my module readings over the duration of my course. Feel free to leave comments. I look forward to hearing from you.