After reading articles by Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman, and listening to the Simonson video programs, I feel there is a need for distance education to evolve. Moller et al. (2008) seem to think that it was due to a lack of experience in theoretical and design principle to why distance education has not taken off as it should in the fields of training, higher education, and K-12 edcaution. They felt as though all three of the fields need trained professionals that are knowledgeable about constructivist theory and principles of distance learning in order for the field to evolve. Simonson felt that in order for the field to evolve teachers of distance education need to get away from "identical" teaching and practice using the equivalency theory which states "different but equal" learning. I agree with everyone's position. Usually, a lack of knowledge is always a hindrance to the improvement of anything. Distance education is such a new concept that people are afraid to get on board and learn about it, but they should not.
I have experience dealing with this kind of a situation now. Our district is trying to get teachers trained in using more Web 2.0 tools, and they are being met with resistance. I have had fellow colleagues, that have been mostly veteran teachers, make comments as "I'm not used to teaching that way" or "This is too time consuming." But as on of the posts in George Siemen's blog points out, the change towards distance education is coming.
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 1: Training and Development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 2: Higher Education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70.
Simonson, M. (Presenter). (2008). Distance education: the next generation. [Vodcast]. Laureate Education, Inc.
What are some of your experiences that support what the authors are describing?
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is an evolution in DE that we have yet to see. Do you think that the epicenter of this evolution should be with new teachers or experienced teachers taking a leading role in DE development?
ReplyDeleteI believe DE has come a long way since I started online classes back in 2000. I still believe that it has a way to go. It has finally taken off, and I see many more high school students taking advantage of these online classes in the near future. Dana, why do you think it has taken DE so long to get this far? What has the hold up been?
ReplyDeleteTess, I think it should begin with the new teachers because I feel that a lot veteran teachers are resistant to DE.
ReplyDeleteLinda, DE has probably taken so long to get this far because of the resistance from veteran teachers who may not be a part of that Net Generation. It isn't all veteran teachers, though.