Defining Distance Learning


 Defining Distance Learning

https://sketchboard.me/xCYcXN5sosNF#/

My personal definition of distance learning, prior to this course, would be the learner, instructor, and content are in different locations and brought together with technology. Although this definition is accurate, it is also narrow in scope.  My current experience with distance learning is teaching at an online high school where students attend live classes throughout the day and work in their curriculum either synchronously or asynchronously.

Through this course, I am learning distance learning is evolving with new technology and resources where learners can collaborate and acquire deeper levels of knowledge in a synchronous and asynchronous setting. Distance learning is becoming more popular within the education system, companies, and with individuals who want to learn a new skill or hobby (Laureate Education, nd). 

The current advancements in technology allow the learner, fellow learners, and instructor to connect and communicate in multiple ways. Learners are not only able to communicate but able to debate, discuss, and collaborate through video chat, instant messaging, and cloud-based forums. With the increase in interaction comes the ability for the instructor to give learners more personalized feedback through video so the learner can see the body language and hear the tone and voice of the instructor rather than just reading typed comments (Naidu, 2014).

Advancements in technology have opened the door for distance learning to evolve into e-Learning. E-learning is the blending together of humans, information, communication, technology, and media to provide optimal learning opportunities synchronously and asynchronously. With these developments, principles of the cognitive theory of multimedia learning must be used to present the content while adhering to adult learning principles (Mayer, 2014).

The future of distance learning must remain grounded in the andragogy theory of adult learning and multimedia design principles while implementing the latest technological advances. As Instructional Designers, we can be tempted to be distracted by the newest shiny object and lose sight of the purpose of distance learning. In my opinion, distance learning will continue to grow and evolve and become a staple in the world of learning. Distance learning allows individuals, companies, and educational systems to reach more learners in a cost-effective manner.




References

Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Distance education: The next generation [Video

file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Mayer, R. E. (2014). The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (Cambridge Handbooks in Psychology) 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139547369

Naidu, S. (2014, November). Looking back, looking forward: the invention and reinvention of distance education. Distance Education, 35(3), 263-270. doi:10.1080/01587919.2014.961671

Sangrà, A., Vlachopoulos, D., & Cabrera, N. (2012, February). Building an inclusive definition of e-learning: An approach to the conceptual framework. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, [S.l.], 13(2), 145-159. Retrieved from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/1161/2185

Sketchboard. (2021). Leanne Suttles Distance Learning Sketchboard. Retrieved from Sketchboard: https://sketchboard.me/xCYcXN5sosNF#/

 

 

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