Perceptions of Distance Education in the Future
Distance
education has been around since the mid 1800s. Distance education started with
the use of the newspaper to create an avenue for correspondence courses. Then
went on to use the post service, radio, television, telephone, Internet,
learning management systems (LMS), and now Web 2.0 technology tools to
implement distance education. The evolution of distance learning is remarkable
and I can’t visualize it discontinuing now. There is a tremendous need for
distance education and what it has to offer.
Distance Learning in 5-10 Years
Based on my own personal
experience, distance learning will continue to educate traditional and
non-traditional students to allow them to reach their academic achievements. In
this course I learned the three models of distance learning: online courses,
hybrid/blended courses, and web-facilitated courses. Each models offers a
different type of distance learning, which would accommodate the vast amount of
diverse learners and their learning style needs. Distance education is becoming
a good way to acquire knowledge separate from the traditional method of
attending the classroom (Schmidt & Gallegos, 2001). In 5-10 years I visualize distance learning
progressing to higher levels, utilizing more new invented technology tools, and
becoming even more popular to individuals who are seeking higher education.
Distance Learning in 10-20 Years
I can’t image the
perceptions of distance learning in 10-20 years from now. Since it’s
progressing so well from the mid 1800s, I can only visualize great improvements
and more learners utilizing this method of education. I will say that I don’t agree that distance
education will replace traditional on-campus programs, but I do feel that
distance education programs will be more accepted, respected, and have higher
enrollment. It is clear that distance education, especially online learning, is
here to stay and is likely to continue to expand in the foreseeable future
(Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012).
Improve Societal Perceptions
As an instructional
designer, you must be an advocate for distance education. An instructional
designer is a key player when it comes to designing and developing on-the-job
trainings, web-based instruction, or online courses. The ID may also have explain the importance reasons
for implementing distance learning modules to businesses, military forces, and
learning institutions. The ID can make sure that societal perceptions are
improved by creating quality work that benefits everyone.
Positive Force
Distance delivery is, and will continue to have an impact on education
in the years to come (Schmidt & Gallegos, 2001). I want to be a positive force in the field
of distance education. The keys to successful distance education are in the
design, development, and delivery of instruction, and are not related to the
geography or time (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek, 2012). I want to
create distance learning modules that are organized, meets the learner
objectives, evaluate learning, and most importantly engage the learner. I’ve
learned a great amount of knowledge from this course about the important
components that must go into distance learning. I will be that positive force
in distance education if I design and implement trainings and courses that meet
the needs of all learners from a distance.
References
Schmidt, E., & Gallegos, A. (2001). Distance learning:
Issues and concerns of
distance
learners. Journal of Industrial Technology, 17(3). Retrieved from
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S.
(2012). Teaching and
learning at a
distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA:
Pearson.
