Reflection – The Future Perceptions of Distance Education

According to George Siemens,

“Students entering higher education today, researchers note, possess a different view of technology due to lifelong immersion in a digital, media‐rich, and networked world. These learners are often described as millennials. Millennial learners, due to their digital lifestyles have expectations of education as a participative, engaging, and active environment. In order to meet the needs and expectations of these learners, Oblinger and Oblinger and Dede suggest that educators adopt tools and approaches to teaching and learning that reflect the experiences and communication habits of millennials. These tools include blogs, wikis, social networking, podcasts, online videos, and virtual worlds” (p.6-7).

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

In the future, I believe that there will be more and more people enrolled in distance learning classes. It provides the flexibility that many students need to work and attend class.  As technology continues to grow, I believe that distance learning will do follow. Dr.Siemens (2010) states that distance learning is and will continue to increase in acceptance in society.   In 2010, the Sloan Consortium found that enrollment increased 21% from 2009 to 2010 in online education programs, while the overall enrollment in higher education only increased by 2% (Hessen, 2011, Online Education Continues to Grow section, para. 1).The quality of distance education will continue to increase, if professionals treat it the same as traditional education in a classroom setting.

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

As an instructional designer, I can be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning by developing methods to accurately evaluate distance education experiences.  To perform this development, I will consider quality, needs assessment, return on investment, training and performance support, improving instructional systems design, and revising learning models as necessary (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008a, 71).  I will also consider the factors of diversity such as the differences in age, learning styles, attitude, experience, general abilities, and personal responsibilities. All of these factors influence motivation to learn and improve societal perceptions of distance learning. More and more research is proving that distance education provides an equivalent or even superior education (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009, 8). 

How will you be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education?

I will be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education by constant training and improving my own professional learning. I believe that training is one of the essential tools for the success of distance education. I will also encourage student-teacher interactions and learn to provide independent learning activities. There will always be an open and clear line of communication between my students and myself. I will also keep in mind the necessary skills to be an effective instructional designer such as being proactive, understanding, and synergize. In order to be a positive force, I must never stop learning.  I need to become and stay active in distance learning education.

References

Hessen, P.  (2011, Jan. 7).  Distance education helps more students study science.  Retrieved from http://sloanconsortium.org/news_press/january2011_distance-education-helps-more-students-study-science.

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

Siemens, G.  (2010).  The future of distance education.  Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer).  Video.

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S.  (2009).  Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.