Reflection and Future of Distance Learning

When thinking of the future of distance learning, I can see it being more accepted and understood as a more reliable and accountable way of learning.  With more people enrolling and learning in a distance environment, more learners will understand.  With that said, many people believe it will take over and be the only way that education will be taught in the future.  I do not believe this will ever be the case.  I know that society relies on the importance of the social interaction.  In a distance-learning environment, there are social aspects, but not the same as having face-to-face interactions. Between the next 5-20 years, more and more distance learning will be incorporated in K-12 environments and even more in higher education. 

As an Instructional Designer we will have to stand up for our beliefs on how distance learning can be just as effective and equal as a traditional learning method.  

By incorporating aspects of distance learning into our designs, we can show students how distance learning can provide them with insight and opportunities to continue their education.  Distance learning can give those who do not have the time or means to travel or attend a school and opportunity to still reach their goals in life.  Kaufman and Watkins define the future of distance learning, as “The delivery of useful learning opportunities in that is responsive to the learners requirements at a time and place convenient for the learner.” (Kaufman, Watkins, 2000).  Then they go one to explain “Further it allows the learner to master the skills, knowledge, attitudes and abilities that will help them be successful not only on the job and in further training or continued educations, but in their life outside of work as well.” (Kaufman, Watkins, 2000).   As an instructional designer, we need to spread the word and prove to those who do not understand or agree, that it can work.

            The way in which I can contribute is by creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. As an Instructional Designer I can support faculty in their transition from traditional learning styles to distance learning styles.  I can also make sure I am utilizing the ADDIE Model to create effective courses.  By incorporating and utilizing new technologies into my designs, I can keep distance learning on the edge and an important force to be reckoned with.  

            As an Instructional Designer I can contribute to this profession by supporting and promoting this new field of work.  As this career develops and is needed in the future, I can assist others in their goal of becoming an Instructional Designer themselves.  By keeping a positive and supportive attitude about this profession, it will help other to see the importance that an Instructional Designer has. 

            Overall, I think we are going to see a continue growth and demand for distance learners.  Along with any change, at first Instructional designers are going to have to support and prove how effective this way of learning can be.  But with time,  distance learning will become more accepted and utilized in the years to come. 

References

Kaufman, R. Watkins, R. 2000.  Assuring the Future for Distance Learning. The Quarterly Review of Distance Education. Pp. 59-68. Information Age Publishing. Retrieved from: http://megaplanning.com/articles/DEfuture.pdf

Analysis of an Open Online Course

Open Yale Course MUSI112- Listening to Music

URL: http://oyc.yale.edu/music/musi-112

The open course that I choose to analyze is one from Yale University. The class is MUSI112 Listening to Music. This course is designed for people to take to learn the basics of what to listen for when listening to music. This online class checked off most of the recommendations for an online class from within the textbook Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Learning written by Simonson, Smaldino, Albright and Zvacek.

It looks as the course was very well thought out and presented in a prepared fashion. Mr. Wright had music samples to be played; he had some sort of document or presentation for his use. I guessing this acted as flashcards so that he hit and reached all of the learning outcomes for the class session. Mr. Wright also seemed very knowledgeable and familiar with music.

Many of the positives were that the goals and objectives were clearly stated and established at the beginning of the lecture. The main goal or objective of the course is “How to listen to music.” The Professor, Mr. Wright, mentioned have handed out a syllabus that went over all of the expectations for the course. He also explained the course as “The most basic course the music department offered.” (Wright, 2008). Also, the professor identified with the student audience by mentioning, that students did not need any prior music knowledge and that they would walk out of the course knowing all the basics.

When first visiting the site, you see a well-organized and clean learning environment. There are navigating tabs underneath the course name that lead you to the syllabus, sessions, surveying and a link to the campus store to buy any materials needed for the course. The syllabus lists all grading policies, learning objectives, course materials and requirements that students need to know. When watching the videos from classroom discussions, a time line is provided letting the learner know different concepts or important ideas that the learner can instantly navigate to in the video.

           

There were a few points from the checklist that are not addressed anywhere within the learning environment. A few were examples of acceptable and unacceptable topics, caveats and instructions for completing and submitting assignments. Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, Zvacek, 2012). It looks to me as though this or was not originally designed for an online environment. I believe it was created for a classroom environment and then made available online. The videos are recorded from lectured given in a classroom. You can see and hear the interaction between students and professor. There seem to be no areas where students, who just wanted to further their knowledge, could submit and turn in course work.

The course assignments are listed and seem to provide a resource for students to use. Many of the assignments look to be listening activities. After completing the assignment, materials assigned would be further discussed in the next class session video. Musical concepts and objectives are being reached and taught through the assignments. The assignments seem to be extensions of the classroom.

The idea of an open online course is a wonderful one. Those who cannot afford an education can still gain access to terrific learning environments. At the same time, the learner is completely responsible for his or her outcomes when completing the course. The learner cannot receive feedback from the professor or even receive a degree or certificate for completing. It is a wonderful way for a person to continue their knowledge or learn about a new subject.

References

Wright, C. 2008.  Session One: Introduction (Video File). 

Retrieved from: http://oyc.yale.edu/music/musi-112/lecture-1

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

Week 3 Assignment: Scenario

Scenario 1: Collaborative Training Environment:

A major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices recently purchased 

A new automated staff information system. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

When looking at this scenario I first broke it down in to important ideas and objectives that the corporation has.  The phrases “Six regional offices” and “Share information” really stick out as objectives that as an ID I need to meet.  I feel as though the use of Blogs, or Wiki would be great tools to incorporate and implement this during the training. 

A Blog has been defined as an “online journal site where individuals, called Bloggers, post their entries to express their views.” (Laureate Education, n.d.).  With the use of Blogs, the staff from all of the different offices could discuss and share their thoughts on the training and information they are being presented.  All staff can easily comment, and post questions on certain topics. When researching for an outside resource I came across a blog that gives a great overview of the benefits a blog can have for a business. 

On the site Better Business Blogging, found at http://www.betterbusinessblogging.com/what-is-a-blog/#6, introduces many ways that a Blog can be useful for a business.  They focused on internal communications and building relationships between co-workers.  The site stated:

                       

            “Internal Communications a blog is an excellent tool to help to share information easily within your company, manage projects, develop teams and hugely improve the internal communications.”

            “Don’t forget that a Business Blog also gives you, your company and those who work for it, a place to collect and share ideas and relevant information with your customers and prospects. This in turn generates mutual trust and builds to a relationship, which is more like a partnership than the typical supplier-customer sales relationship.”

The use of Wiki would allow the staff to share documents and collaborate together.  Each office can upload images, documents and have access to all other offices documents.  It would be a more contained environment than the blog, but still the staff would be able to bounce ideas off of each other. 

In a blog post by Mary O. Foley on Inc. Tech, she states “Fear is one of the obstacles keeping businesses from realizing productivity gains by using internal Wikis. But the business gains -- collaboration, informed employees, sense of community -- may outweigh any risks.”  (Foley, 2007).  Some of her other points that I found to be interesting are the fact that you can go paperless by using a Wiki.  I know that more and more companies want to cut costs.  With using a Wiki you are eliminating paper copies and printing materials.  All staff would have access and the ability to share paperwork and presentations with each other while completing their job.  

Both of these tool can and would be successful when put into the scenario. 

Resources

Laureate Education Inc. N.D.  Multimedia Program: The Technology of Distance Education.

http://www.betterbusinessblogging.com/what-is-a-blog/#6

Foley, Mary. 2007. Don’t Fear the Wiki! Business Can Benefit. http://technology.inc.com/2007/12/01/dont-fear-the-wiki-business-can-benefit/

Mind Map

My Definition

My original definition of Distance Learning was a "learning environment that provides flexibility while still presenting a wonderful education experience."  This definition was based off of my experiences and the experiences that I see DL offering.

This week through our resources the definition of DL that we were presented with was "formal education in which learning (teachers, students, resources) are separated by geography and sometimes by time." (Dr. Simonson, Laureate Education)

When comparing and combining the two, I see the common links being the emphasis on education and the importance of a good education.  There was a big difference about the distance involved.  I did not include anything about distance or separation in mine, where as the definition from Dr. Simonson emphasized the separation aspect.

Of course I thought about separation, but I suppose I did not mention it due to that fact that the distance factor is not as much of an issue these days.  With the technology and society we currently live in the distance seems to become smaller.  With the creation of Web 2.0 technology, blogs and learning environments I feel just as close to my classmates who around the world as I do with the ones in the next city.

In the future I see DL becoming more and more popular and accepted.  I can see the K-12 education world adapting and utilizing DL in their environments. I know that for global reasons, school are already taking a look at DL. At the same time though, schools today are really being hit hard in the budgets cuts.  Teachers are beginning to get frustrated with their work load and pay scale.  If DL becomes adopted then I can see teachers and students jumping on board.

Hello.

My name is Candace and I am currently a student at Walden University.  I have created this blog so that I may complete my course work, but at the same time, enjoy the reviews and opinions that you all may have.

The course that I am currently taking is all about distance learning.  We are going to be discussing everything from the challenges, benefits, how to create and build programs and lots more.  I hope that anyone who visits will enjoy what goes on here.

Please feel free to comment and post as you feel you need to.