Distance Learning

The first generation of distance education was print-based correspondence study, and print continued to be the predominant delivery medium for distance education until the beginning of the 1970s (Tracey & Richey). Distance education began over one hundred years ago with simple shorthand education coming through the mail. This practice has now evolved with the use of technology. Now, the same courses that were taught via commercial mail are now being taught via the internet without an instructor. Who would have thought that a simple shorthand course, which was taught via mail, could be taught using a computer and a typing keyboard! Even when I began the distance learning phase of my life, I never thought it would evolve to where it is today.

Prior to beginning this distance learning course, I had an opportunity participate in distance learning programs. The first distance education experience was during my undergraduate studies. The course that I took was college algebra and I thought it was the first time distance learning was being offer by the college. What I learned was it just happened to be the first time it was offered via internet through the college. The college had distance learning courses that students could via telephone with the courses being present via the television. When I first heard of this, I said to my advisor, “school via the television…not likely!”  This was the first and last time I heard of distance learning and its association with the television. As I began the college algebra course, which was an online course, I found it was an online course that requested students to attend the course online, but the participants had to go to the campus to complete quizzes and tests. This opportunity paved the way for me to complete two degree programs online.

Being new to the distance education realm, I knew that was going to be a great opportunity, however, I did not realize that the class would aid in my success for future courses. As, I reflect on my distance learning experiences, I have found that as an adult, with a busy life, distance learning courses provide the necessary attributes for studying while working. It is a great that distant learning courses have evolved from television to working via a virtual campus via the World Wide Web.

As a veteran of the distance learning courses, I see the overall future of this discipline moving toward more interactive courses, where the course will be completed by the computer. All grading will be completed by the computer. The only thing a person would have do is gather the assessment results complied by computer. These results will aid in the improvement of the program. The courses will be completely computer driven. The only thing a person would do is develop, design, and run the virtual classrooms. This is where I see the future of distance learning going.

References:

Tracey, M. W., & Richey, R. C. (n.d.). The evolution of distance education. Distance Learning, 17-21.

Here is my mindmap, which was created on Prezi.com. I am also attaching a link to view the entire presentation.

http://prezi.com/uaevde5l3ljs/present/?auth_key=rb50188&follow=yspd34rmifew