Defining Distance Learning

• 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 has influenced your personal definition.

Before starting this course I was unsure of what would be expected of me. I have had two experiences with distance learning in my educational endeavors. The first experience was a synchronous AutoCad class taken as an elective my junior year of high school. During this class we were essentially 3 geographically separate classrooms with 1 geographically separate instructor. We had two way television sets, we could see ourselves and our teacher, and occasionally one of the other groups. While working on our individual projects we were able to receive real time assistance and the instructor was able to see our computer screen via some “fancy” software. While this class was part of an interesting experience, there were many flubs along the way. Many times we would come in to class and the network would be down, or the other school would have a snow day, etc and this made some days rather difficult.

The other experience I have had with distance learning has been with Walden University. Even after the less than stellar performance of my first distance learning class, I felt that Walden would be the best fit for me. It’s asynchronous style allows me to work at my own pace during times of my choosing.

These distance learning coursework experiences allowed me to develop my own definition of what distance learning is. Before this week’s readings I would have defined distance learning as:

            Learning, geographically separate. Uses technology including: computers, television,    and internet. Must allow for some instructor/student interaction.

• Your revised definition, which combines your previous thoughts about distance learning with new information you learned this week.

With the new information that was presented in this week’s readings I would make a few changes to my prior definition. I’ve since learned that distance learning must include four distinct characteristics.  As stated by Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek (2012), these 4 characteristics are as follows:

“1.First, distance education was carried out through institutions; it was not self-study or a nonacademic learning.

2.Second, geographic separation was inherent in distance learning, and time might also separate students and teachers.

3.Third, interactive telecommunications connected the learning group with each other and with the teacher.

4. Finally, distance education established a learning group, sometimes called a learning community, which was composed of students,  a teacher, and instructional resources.”

(pg 33).

           

My new definition would be:

Institution based learning, that may be geographically separated or separated by time. Interactive technology would allow for the learning group to interact, either synchronously or asynchronously.

 

• A summary of your vision for the future of distance learning as it continues on a path of evolution and change.

I’ve seen major changes in distance learning in less than a decade. I see distance learning becoming a more popular choice for adult students or students with commitments that do not allow for the typical brick and mortar schools. Distance learning is still somewhat of a scary notion, many of my colleagues make reference to my experiences at Walden and say things like “I don’t know if I could do that”. It will be important for those of us with positive experiences to encourage people to challenge themselves and participate in distance learning, just to give it a try.

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

Fitting the Pieces Together

• Now that you have a deeper understanding of the different learning theories and learning styles, how has your view on how you learn changed?

My views about the learning styles have not changed. I still believe that I am a visual/tactile learner. The resources we have been using have bombarded me with a greater knowledge of different learning theories. I see where I fit into the adult learning theory, the way I process new information aligns with how learning occurs. I also see where I could fall into the constructivist theory as well. Online learning has made engagement and participation in discussion much more crucial to my own learning.

• What have you learned about the various learning theories and learning styles over the past weeks that can further explain your own personal learning preferences?

Most recently I’ve learned that there is a adult learning theory, it never occurred to me that adults learn differently, or that there would be a theory based on how they learn. The premise of this theory is clear, and provides many insightful ideas about factors affecting adult learning. I see many of the factors (work, family, social obligations) in my own learning and was able to choose online learning to provide a balance in my life.

Connectivism is also a new theory for me, which is funny because I chose this to describe my learning most recently in our discussion. I see now that not only do I learn visually and kinesthetically, but I too learn socially. It is through my time with Walden, that this has become most apparent.

• What role does technology play in your learning (i.e., as a way to search for information, to record information, to create, etc.)?

Technology, technology, technology. What would I do without it? I use technology daily for a variety of reasons, and when the internet is down at work or home I see how much I am affected by it. I use technology to search for new ideas, to find answers to questions, to discuss ideas with my co-workers and classmates and to learn about things going on in the world.

Connectivism Reflection

How has your network changed the way you learn?

My network has changed the way I learn because I am able to use it to assist me in solving problems or answering questions. Many times I can go to co-workers, graduate students/instructors, or family to help me with a problem I am having. These people in my network also help me answer questions I have or give me new ideas.  Using my network has allowed me to move away from always coming up with ideas on my own, to borrowing some ideas from others.

Which digital tools best facilitate learning for you?

The digital tools that I use most frequently to facilitate learning are blogs, web pages, RSS feeds, podcasts, and online discussions. While trying to propel learning for myself I might “google it” and use a web page to help. I could also discuss it with my graduate student peers on online discussion boards. Podcasts are also available to us through Walden, and these assist with learning course material, through a verbal learning method.  Finally the newest method of learning, for me, is blogs and RSS feeds. I use these digital tools to learn about real-life problems other teachers are having, and then also how to solve those problems.  When choosing blogs to add to my RSS feed, I tried to pick according to which blogs would provide me with the most useful ideas and discussions.

How do you gain new knowledge when you have questions?

When I have questions to gain new knowledge I use both the people in my network and the digital tools. If I am having trouble teaching first graders the difference between b and d, I might use a variety of methods

1.       Go to their homeroom teacher, ask how she does it, and if it seems to work for this child.

2.       Go to their previous teacher, ask how she does it.

3.       Ask other K and 1^st grade teachers for ideas.

4.       Post a blog about this issue and read through responses.

5.       “Google it”

In what ways does your personal learning network support or refute the central tenets of connectivism?

My personal learning network supports the central tenets of connectivism. I feel that this is true because “with connectivism there is that emphasis on the social dimensions” (Siemens, Connectivism). A majority of my network is socially dependent, from speaking with family, to reading blogs, I am learning socially.

Siemens, G. (n.d.). Connectivism. Los Angeles: Laureate Education, Inc. Podcast retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com