Future of Distance Learning

As I began the distance learning class, I came into the class with little knowledge on the history of distance learning. I knew that distance learning grew from televise programs and some traditional classroom instruction to full online technology related capabilities. As I reflect on the past eight weeks, I have found that this course has not only enhance my outlook on distance learning education, it has also showed me the that as an instructional designer, it is necessary for me to be able to build courses based upon the needs of the instructional objectives. As an instructional designer, it is necessary to have all of these elements to develop and design the instructional materials for an organization or as a consultant. This course has shown me that distance education is here to stay and can only evolve from here.

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.

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.

What do you think the perceptions of distance learning will be in the future (in 5–10 years; 10–20 years)?

Distance learning has become popular because of the ease of learning due to priorities of the adult learners, flexibility needed to complete degrees or credentials, when time, location, and pace are issues (Tracey & Richey, 2006). As a distance learning student, who has been a part of the distance learning world for the past ten years and seen the evolution in these short years, I see the world of distance learning evolving into total computer generated learning. This is where the computer technology will be the only contact with institutions. The instructional designers will design the learning modules, based upon instructional objectives and the computer will do the rest. The technology will grade all work and record all grades. I also see the technology being able to generate logical answers for learner questions regarding the coursework.

How can you as an instructional designer be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning?

Because I have attended courses via distance learning, it would be pivotal for me to improve the perceptions of distance learning. When speaking to future students it will be imperative to focus heavily on the positives for distance learning. Allowing the learner to gain a clear perception of the benefits of distance learning will help them to understand the need to attend institutions via distance learning. Many students shy away from distance learning that it is only for adults, but the reality is that all students benefit from distance learning.  This is because online courses provide a student centered learning environment (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvack, 2012).

References

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education. Boston: Pearson.

Tracey, M.W. & Richey, R.C. (2006) History of Distance Education. In Michael Simonson’s (Ed.) Distance Learning Magazine 22(3)