Reflection

                                                                                   

If we think back 5 years or even 10 the explosion of technology has changed the way many people lived. Smartphones, Google, Facebook & Twitter, Cloud Computing, Kindle & Nook, Digital Photography, Ipods, Skype, Texting. “Generation Y has grown up, a world with diverse Internet resources, iPods, MySpace and intense multi-tasking — simultaneously chatting on AIM, finishing a problem set, watching television and listening to music. These kids are the kids of the Baby Boomers, heavily immersed in a digital world” (Yan, 2006, pg 1).  As I sit here typing this, the tv is on in the room, my iPod is on, two laptops are running and my phone is inches away, in one room of my house.

As more technology develops generations that follow will become even more comfortable with online communication and in effect be more comfortable with distance learning. Siemens referenced that students must be comfortable with the learning environment and in the future I predict students won’t even blink before enrolling in a distance learning course. If we look at the next technologically integrated generation, Generation Z, we see “from the very beginning, Generation Z-ers have grown up in a world that is all about connecting through technology” and this alone will make distance learning boom (Cross-Bystrom, 2010, pg 1). I’m also certain in 5-10 years distance learning will look nothing like it does today, just as distance learning today does not resemble distance learning from 10 years ago.

To be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning we can first be good examples of what distance learning creates, successful individuals. Also it is important that distance learning courses are of high visibility, Gambescia & Paolucci (2009) found that less and 1/3 of the schools they researched “had an online education offering reference on their homepage- a very easy and low-level marketing tactic” (2009, pg 15).

To be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education it is important to constantly look for new methods and technologies. As I mentioned before, I predict distance education will have major changes within 10 years, in order for this to happen making changes as the technology becomes available will be important for the improvement of the field. 

Cross-Bystrom, A. (2010, August 20). What you need to know about generation z . Retrieved from http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/27425.asp

Gambescia, S., & Paolucci, R. (2009). Academic fidelity and integrity as attributes of university online degree program offerings. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 12(1). Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring121/gambescia121.html

 Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2006). The future of distance education [Video]. Baltimore, MD.

Yan, S. (2006, December 8). Understanding generation y. Retrieved from http://www.oberlin.edu/stupub/ocreview/2006/12/08/features/Understanding_Generation_Y.html