As I read and reflected on these articles I was reminded of an experience that I had when I first enrolled in my Master's program online, a colleague of mine causally remarked "Oh, so you are taking the easy route, I wish I had done that." That type of attitude towards distance education is pervasive. I think that it is vital that instructors work to provide meaningful and quality instruction and learning experiences in distance education courses in order to help change public perception of this type of educational experience. I agree with Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman (2008) and their theory that distance education must evolve through development and training. Instructors must be trained in sound instructional practices that incorporate collaborative learning, peer interaction, and dialogue between peers and instructor and student.
I agree with Simonson's (2008) Equivalency Theory, distance education will never be able to be the exact same as face to face instruction, but the instruction should be equivalent. I think back on my undergraduate experience and how I was able to sit in class and never participate in the lectures or discussions because I am a naturally shy person, but that sort of behavior would not be acceptable in a distance education course, one has to particpate in the discussions.
As distance education evolves, I foresee distance education becoming more prevelant in secondary education for various reasons.
Links to articles
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=8&sid=935f652d-cc0c-48ea-8178-219191432dc1%40sessionmgr13
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=8&sid=cfc6ef78-4407-452c-9bca-4809f8cffbce%40sessionmgr14
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=8&sid=49a6f541-b2d8-4a1f-8ec4-84d1570de4e9%40sessionmgr14
Reference:
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008a, 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.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008b, July/August). 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, 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.
I enjoyed your post! I too have had similar experiences with people and preconceived notions that online learning is easy. Having equally split my Masters’ program with online learning and classroom instruction, I can honestly say that the online piece was more challenging. I found that my online classes gave more assignments and understanding the material required me to do additional research. Whereas in the classroom there was constant dialogue between the teacher and students regarding the expectations of the course and workarounds to complete assignments with the least effort. Online learning requires strong discipline, advanced collaboration skills as well as a great deal of time management. Although the program is self paced within a fixed amount of time for assignments - I often find myself setting aside set periods to do studying and homework. This keeps me on track and allows me to better plan and balance my other responsibilities. What are some methods that you use to stay on track within your online learning program?
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ReplyDeleteJAMI,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how different people react when I tell them that I am taking classes on line. Sometimes, but rarely, I get the reaction you have described. Most of the time I am told how important the interaction is in a face to face classroom and how they need that interaction. What these people do not realize is how much more interaction is required in these classes. I am continually reading what all of you have to say and commenting, constructively I hope, about your posts. This is a much more interactive environment than the instructor, students, classroom style class.
http://aimee-educ7102.blogspot.com
The perception of Distance Education especially online learning to many in our society is that of your co-worker. Society has come a long way as it relates to the acceptance of online learning but unless experienced online learning is still perceived as a login and pass environment. This feeling is doubled when it comes to for profit universities because the perception then becomes pay and pass.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Jami that "Instructors must be trained in sound instructional practices" so that they can ensure a positive and success learning experience which incorporates collaborative learning, peer to peer and peer to student interaction, learning activities and measureable learning outcomes.
I believe that the understanding of Simonson’s (2008) Equivalency Theory by instructors and instructional designers is also important to the success of the online learning environment.
I believe that we are the trendsetters in this arena. As we obtain our degrees and get better jobs and make more money others will follow.
ReplyDeleteI agree that most people seem to believe that online education is easy and the work load is lighter than F2F classes. I've come to realize that the experience is much more challenging and that as a learner I am mastering more concepts than in a F2F class. I am begining to believe that students graduating from schools online are better prepared for the workforce than those in a F2F school. Time will point to the truth in this example!!
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