The terms “distance education” or “distance learning” have been applied interchangeably by many different researchers to a great variety of programs, providers, audiences, and media. Its hallmarks are the separation of teacher and learner in space and/or time, the volitional control of learning by the student rather than the distant instructor and noncontiguous communication between student and teacher, mediated by print or some form of technology (Keegan, 1986; Garrison and Shale, 1987).
A rich history of distance learning has accumulated as each form of instructional media has evolved, from print, to instructional television, to current interactive technologies. The earliest form of distance learning took place through correspondence courses in Europe. This was the accepted norm until the middle of this century, when instructional radio and television became popular.
It is important that research is done to determine if distance education is as effective as traditional education. The writer prefers the face-to-face course of study. Due to current responsibilities, and schedule will not allow the writer to obtain an Ed.D in the traditional setting. A person has to be very familiar with the new technology in order to be able to successfully complete a distance-learning program.
References
Garrison, D. R., Shale, D. (1987). Mapping the Boundaries of Distance Education: Problems in Defining Distance. The American Journal of Distance Education, 1(1), 7-13.
Keegan, D. (1986). The Foundations of Distance Education. London: Croom Helm.
3 comments:
Your posts made me think of something. What if all high schools were offered only through distance education? My job would be a lot easier perhaps, but would it be as much fun? Teaching teenagers is a lot of fun at times, but it takes a great deal of patience; and, classroom discipline skills are a must. Discipline is a problem for many teachers. The online environment pretty much kills the problem with classroom discipline. If teenagers had to stay at home to do their work in front of their computers, they wouldn't be able to harass any of their peers while their peers were attempting to learn. Teachers would not have to deal with students with ADHD who can't sit still or remain quiet. It would really be a different world. But, I don't think that parents would go for the idea. They want their children out of the house and out of their hair. Plus, students would lose out on the experience of high school. What would happen to school spirit? I guess that distance education isn't meant to replace traditional education at all. And, that's a good thing.
Distance Education works for those who cannot or do not want to make use of classroom teaching. Many of us have family responsibilities and commitments that will not allow us to do face to face classes.I think that you definitely have to be motivated to do it.Because you are unsupervised, you must be a good manager of your time.Distance learning also help to teach self discipline.There is no dialogue between teachers and learners often to help with class objectives.I really wish that the classes could have a few face to face as well as online. It was design to help those that could not actually be there and that is "me".
Hi Kristin,
I have truly enjoyed my experiences with distance education and would gladly endorse it to future learners. It has provided me with tremendous flexibility, and has made my life a whole lot easier. I'm not sure how it compares to traditional learning with other students, but I have learned a great deal of knowledge from my online experience. I would not say that distance learning is better than traditional learning, but it provides an alternative to different learning and teaching styles.
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