Evolution of Distance Learning

What is distance learning? According to our text, “Distance education is a method in education in which the learner is physically separate from the teacher.” (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 35) . My definition fits closely with this definition. I came into the class thinking that distance learning involved students and instructors being in different locations but learning the same content. I immediately think of online classes when I think of distance learning. Online learning provides an opportunity for students who can not regularly attend a brick and mortar classrooms because of time, distance or other constraints.

I then thought of the type of distance classes I have taken in my education career. When I look back at my educational experience I have had distance learning experiences that were not online classes. I thought of the correspondence course that I took in the late 1980’s. Then I took a telecourse in the 1990’s where I watched lessons on public television and went to the school to take tests. I have taken online courses where I had to go to the college testing center to take midterm and finals and then I have taken courses that are completely online with no interaction at a school site. It made me think of how distance learning has change in the last few decades. Most of these changes seem to be related to the changes in available technology.

After this weeks learning I find that my definition of distance learning is to narrow. As a teacher, I focused my attention on the formal educational setting. Distance learning is not confined to high school and college educational classes. Corporations are using distance learning as a model for training employees on new technologies and for new jobs. Moller, Forshay, & Huett (2008) explain a number of advantages for companies using distance learning as a training tool.  These advantages include reductions in training costs, on-demand learning, and training that is available to a large number of employees at various locations world wide.

Distance learning is also making advancements in the K12 eduational arena. “Distance education in the K-12 arenais often referred to as “virtual schooling”and learning through virtual schooling is one of the fastest growing areas for K-12 school” (Moller, L., Forshay, W. R., & Huett, J. (2008).  This is a new an uncharted area of distance learning. In the US Journal of Academics they have found that the most significant factor helping students to succeed -or not -in Web-based classes has been their ability to manage time. (2012). The concern that younger students do no have the ability to manage time effectively and work independently. My school district is increasing the number of virtual classes to help students with credit recovery and for students who are no longer able to attend a regular classroom. These are students who by definition are least likely to be successful in the online classroom environment. There has to be support systems in place for these populations of students in order for them to be successful.

Another concern for the K12 distance learning is the actual instructional design component. Younger learners have different learning needs and requirements than older learners. We can’t just us the same instructional design delivery system that is successful at the high school and college level. There needs to be a delivery system that accommodates the varying student population that is enrolling in K12 virtual education. There is very little research on effective K-5 online learning since it is just now becoming more accessible and popular.  Ideally, ID professionals would play a key role in researching and designing K-12 distance education environments to carefully accommodate diverse learners with varying degrees of maturity (Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. 2008). It is important that schools take the time to collaborate and develop effective programs and not rush to put something together to be see as a cure all for the problems that are plaguing the schools in the current economic setting.

Distance learning needs to continue to evolve with research on the effectiveness of different content delivery methods. K12 education needs to use Instruction Design personnel to work with content experts to design programs that will be effective for not just different ages of learner but for different types of learners. I think that distance learning will continue to evolve in response to the continuing growth of new technologies and computer advancements. What we know as distance learning will probably be much different than the distance learning models in 5 years. As technology changes so will distance learning.
           

References:
Columbaro, N. L., & Monaghan, C. H. (2009). Employer Perceptions of Online Degrees: A Literature Review. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, XII, (1).

Moller, L., Forshay, W. R., & Huett, J. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 52(3), 70-75.

Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008) The evolutions of distance education:Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3: k12). TechTrends p63-67.

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: foundations of distance education fifth edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

The advantages of distance learning (2012). US journal of academics. Retrieved September 8, 2012 from http://www.usjournal.com/en/students/help/distancelearning.html.