What do you think the perceptions of distance learning
will be in the future (in 5–10 years; 10–20 years)?
Over time technology has
become innovative opening the doors for distance learning far more from the
1950’s. In the next 5-10 years the advances that have been made this far will
be obsolete and we will see technology advances beyond our comprehension,
offering many avenues for distance learning. We will watch distance learning
grow; instructors will become tech-savvy and held to a very high standard. Traditional education will continue to be
offered but the majority of people to opt for the distance education or a
blended course because people have to balance so many things in their lives.
Geographical distance will
not separate the learning; everything will be connected and based on the
learner’s needs or wants. As distance learning continues to grow acceptance it
could become the norm for adults seeking higher education, but this also will
grow as an option for elementary and high school students. Virtual classrooms will be available
utilizing various Course Management Systems with both synchronous and
asynchronous materials. The Distance Learning will have various tools for
learning through mobile devices, not just personal computers or laptops and the
technology probably will be limitless.
Distance Education in ten
to twenty years will be the norm for many institutions and be readily accepted
by employers for workforce training. I cannot even begin to envision what the
technology will have to offer for distance education, but it will be taken to a
whole new level to meet the needs of society. For instance, everything will be
connected and to assure validity in course work they might have digital
fingerprint scans or voice recognition for tests. The next ten to twenty years
for distance learning will bring advances never thought of in this day and age.
How can you as an instructional designer be a proponent
for improving societal perceptions of distance learning?
As an instructional designer striving to be a proponent
for improving societal perceptions of distance learning, I will continually be well
informed of the technological advances in both software and products. I will
continually learn relating these applications to teaching distance learning
along with the working knowledge of the various applications for education and
businesses because students come from different environments with prior
knowledge. Students that come to distance education also come with “an array of
experiences to the classroom, even those at distance”(Simonson, Smaldino,
Albright, & Zvacek). Finally I will
need to continue to focus on current advancements in technology along with
business opportunities so distance education can continue to grow with the
placement of qualified distance learning students into the businesses.
How will you be a positive force for continuous
improvement in the field of distance education?
I will be a positive for continuous improved in the
field of distance education by continuing to grow and learn my improving my
skills through distance education. I will need to learn the tools of technology
as the tool advance in order to offer distance learners’ current teaching of
technology. These learners need to see a positive instructor who is willing to
continue to grow and improve utilizing distance education myself. It will be important to remember that the
learners are separated by distance although the instructor must learn about
his/her learners, the learners must take ownership about their learning, “The
type of distance instructional setting will dictate the kinds of student
responsibilities”(Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek)
References:
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
