Distance Learning-Application #1

Distance Learning

Distance Learning has evolved from letter form and telecommunications to the instant access that we enjoy today. In the multimedia program, “Distance Learning Timeline Continuum” distance learning over the years was examined. Distance learning in the 1800’s included people responding to newspapers and then having mail correspondance between two parties. Eventually, select colleges were given permission to offer degrees through courses that were taken through mail correspondance. Soon, distance learning was offered by radio broadcasts, with actual lectures being given over the radio and students participating by mailing work to their instructors.

Eventually, as technology advanced class work and resources were offered through both telephone communications and through television. In the early 1990’s the concept of on-line classes was developed. Students had the opportunity to access class information on-line, chat and discuss with people in their class online and submit assignments to the instructor online. Now, entire degree programs can be done online with the ease of being able to access information instantly whenever and wherever a student chooses to.

My personal vision of distance learning was not very in depth. I had not even thought about the correspondance courses being part of distance education, even though I completed several during my undergraduate degree. I was stunned to find out that distance learning has been going on since the 1800’s. I think that is a testament to the importance of education that people are constantly willing to try anything to better themselves through education! There is also substancial reading about the importance of distance education in both Europe and the United States (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek, 2009).

I have always believed that distance learning is a convenient and accssbile form of education that people can truly use for an authentic purpose. Now, there is so much choice available that a person can truly decide what degree or program is right for them, and choose what exact degree they wish to pursue. Of course there are still general education requirements, but I believe that through distance learning, education is so much more accessible for people. My revised vision of distance education is that this is a viable and important learning forum for many people and it can be accessed in a variety of forms. There is no one size fits all version of distance learning and there are many options available for getting the education that a person needs.

I believe that distance learning is going to be the future of education. As a high school teacher, I see the benefits for distance learning extending down to K-12 education. For students who are not thriving in the general education classroom, this is a wonderful alternative. I also see distance learning being able to group gifted students together for advanced classes and discussion. Sometimes, these students are not challenged to their fullest extent because they are already meeting the standards that are expected of them. Through distance education, these students can get the support and the challenge that they need.

Reference:
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.