Your personal definition and observations of distance learning before starting this course. Consider what you learned about distance learning this week and how this learning influenced your personal definition.
Distance education are classes that are not completed at a traditional brick and mortar pace or establishment. Students communicate with their instructor but it does not have to be face to face. Typically more than half of the class is on a flexible schedule. Distance education is not new buy with technological advancements its allowed the concept to grow.
Before this week, I thought I was educated on what distance learning included. In high school a few of us took correspondence courses to lighten our load senior year or to graduate a year early. After research this week I found out that was considered as the first generation of distance learning.
Your revised definition, which combines your previous thoughts about distance learning with new information you learned this week.
After this week, I have learned that distance learning has transformed over the years "Eminent historian Frederick Jackson Turner ran correspondence program of the University of Wisconsin in the late 1800's"(Simonson). Distance education includes education, industry, and medicine. Without the use of the worldwide web its advancements to the current level of success would have stalled out. "In Florida there is a mandate that every public school district must establish a virtual K-8 and K-12 school"(Simonson). If this is implemented it may improve the educational ratings in those districts. The flipped classroom model forces the student to read the required literature and not depend on the instructors lecture to understand the material.
Mind Map
A summary of your vision for the future of distance learning as it continues on a path of evolution and change.
The future of distance education will continue to roll at a steady pace. "About 85% of public universities consider online education critical to their long-term academic strategies as compared within 50% of private institutions"(Simonson). The time of the traditional student has passed. In order for individuals to complete their education distance learning is the future. Industry also use it to keep employees current with new technological skills or to prove competency for known skills or literature. The age of sitting face to face with and instructor is phasing out but will always need to be an option for some learners.
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References:
Simsonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education (6th ed.) Charlotte, NC: IAP
