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.