DEFINING DISTANCE LEARNING

 DEFINING DISTANCE LEARNING

A Personal Journey

Distance learning has been an enduring form of education for me, but what does it really mean? Reflecting on my experiences, I've realized that my initial understanding of distance learning was quite narrow. Years ago, I took a certification course from a foreign university. The classes were conducted face-to-face in my country, led by local instructors. I considered this distance learning because the certifying institution was abroad. However, my perspective has significantly evolved.

A New Understanding

Through the insights gained this week, I've redefined my concept of distance learning. According to Simonson et al. (2019), true distance education encompasses four essential features:

1. Formal education

2. Facilitated by an institution

3. Geographic separation of instructors, students, and resources

4. Instructional media and communication technologies connecting all parties involved

My revised definition of distance learning is “A structured, institutionally supported educational modality in which teachers, students, and resources are dispersed either physically or geographically, and where teaching and learning are facilitated through instructional multimedia and communications technologies.” 

With this refined definition, I can now accurately classify my learning experiences. MOOCs I've taken fit perfectly into this framework, as they were formal courses provided by the Commonwealth of Learning, with instructors from different countries. We used video lectures, digital resources, and email for communication. Similarly, the online courses from my undergraduate degree and my current master’s program all qualify as distance learning. 

Concept Map of my definition of Distance Learning

The Evolution of Distance Education

Distance education has come a long way, transitioning from correspondence courses to digital platforms and MOOCs. It's now a widely respected and accepted form of education. The benefits are substantial: reduced travel costs, lower overhead for classrooms, and minimal disruption to the learner’s productivity. Additionally, e-learning is scalable, offering immediate access to thousands of learners once the content is created (Moller et al., 2008).

Distance education provides flexibility, allowing learners to study at their own pace and schedule. It enables individuals to pursue further education while managing a full-time job and bridges the gap for those who otherwise might not have access to educational opportunities.

The Future of Distance Education

Looking ahead, the future of distance education seems promising. Dr. Simonson (Walden n.d.) predicts an evolutionary rather than revolutionary change. Traditional schools will persist, but distance education will become more prevalent in K-12, higher education, and professional training environments. My vision for the future of distance learning is that new innovations in technology will continue to break down barriers in teaching and learning and provide open access to educational opportunities for all.

Conclusion

The way we view distance learning has fundamentally changed. Research has shown that distance learning offers significant advantages such as flexibility, choice, cost savings, and equitable educational opportunities. The future of distance learning will likely involve ongoing development and improvement driven by advances in technology used for teaching, learning, and communication. 

References

Friedman, J. & Clayburn, C. (2022, August 11). 10 things employers think about your online degree. U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved  https://www.usnews.com/higher-education/online-education/slideshows/10-things-employers-think-about-your-online-degree.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70-75.

Simonson, M., Zvacek, S., & Smaldino, S. (2019). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (7th ed.) Information Age Publishing. pp. 31-42.

Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (n.d.).  Distance education: The next generation [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu.