Defining Distance Education

Distance learning is an ever changing entity and with the advancement of new technology and forms of communication, it will continue to change.  Every year, I am amazed at the new ways we are able to learn and gather information from around the world at an instant.  I can remember communicating in AOL instant messenger in the late nineties and now communicating live through Skype on my mobile phone.  Learning communities will always seek resources and technology that allow for effective communication, accessing resources, and meeting objectives. 

I feel the force that drives distance education today is the progression of the internet and all its capabilities.  As Dr. Simonson (2012) discusses in the video, “Distance Education: The Next Generation”, distance learners are separated by time and geography.  However, the internet allows the learners to communicate asynchronously and synchronously, and the learners have access to the same required resources.   

The learner also plays a major role in the evolution of distance education.  Distance education requires a great deal of self-study and motivation from the learner because the traditional forms of teaching are not included, yet the outcome is expected to be the same (Simonson et al., 2012).  Learners also have the opportunity to interact with those in the learning community through email, forums, and live chat.  Moller et al. (2008) state “meaningful learning is more likely to occur when learners have access to a supportive community that encourages knowledge building and social reinforcement” (pg. 74: Part 1).   The student also chooses which school they will attend and which course they will take.  With the increase of learners deciding to go to school online, competition for those learners increases and leads to better quality programs (Moller et al., 2008: Part 2).  

Distance education will continue to grow with the introduction of new technology that is supported by the internet.  As the standard for quality education for those who seek to meet goals through distance education rises, schools will be faced with the challenge of meeting those needs for learners. 

My definition of distance education has changed because I believed distance education was a relatively new form of study.  Now I am aware that distance education has been around for decades in various forms (Laureate Eduation, 2011).  I am familiar with the public education “virtual school”, but I had not considered it a form of distance education, as well as the need for distance education for job training. 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (2012). [Podcast]. “Distance Education: The Next Generation”.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). 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). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66-70.