Defining Distance Learning

The Evolution of Distance Learning

My definition of distance learning before entering this course was similar to that of Dr. Michael Simonson’s. “Distance education can be defined as formal education in which the learning group (teacher, students, resources) are separated by geography and, sometimes by time” (Simonson, ND). This is my second Master’s program, but it is the first one that is exclusively online. My first program was through California State University and was only partially online. We were required to report to a classroom on campus every other week for 4 hours in order to have a live lecture/discussion with a professor. The coursework was similar to these courses where there was a threaded discussion and 1-2 posts per week. I never took into account any of the actual instructional design involved and only now can I alter my definition of distance learning. This was of course in contrast to my profession as a 6th grade teacher where there is a lack of distance between my students and myself.

This week, what I have learned about distance education is that there is a lot more involved than just creating a lesson and teaching it online. The most important thing I learned is that what works in the classroom does not always translate to an online situation. There has to be specific methodologies involved in designing something that works well when you don’t have a face-to-face situation. It seemed to me that online learning would be an ideal method for teaching programs such as independent study where students could learn at their own pace. What I didn’t realize though is that part of the success of these programs is the ability and opportunity to interact in a social learning situation. “Meaningful learning is more likely to occur when learners have access to a supportive community that encourages knowledge building and social reinforcement” (Moller, 2008). This has changed my definition somewhat to reflect the social aspect. My new definition for distance learning is, “Distance learning is learning that takes place in an environment that separates students from instructors by time and distance. This learning is most effective in online learning communities where students are able to collaborate among themselves and with instructors.”

Distance learning has a great future that will continue to grow and evolve with time. This type of learning could revolutionize the future of education. I currently teach 6th grade English/History in a small town that has a large percentage of students living below the poverty line. 46% of our students speak English as a second language, and many of them have parents at home that don’t speak any English. As a result, the ability levels in my class range from kids who read at a 3rd grade level to kids who read at a 12th grade level. I try and teach somewhere in the middle hoping not to lose the low kids and bore the high ones. If I could incorporate distance learning in my own classroom, it might help to close that gap.

If in addition to teaching in the traditional classroom, I could set up an online learning situation I might be able to reach more of my students. I could group them and work with each group at the level they need. The remaining students would be able to access the online community and work in discussion groups while assisting and collaborating on an assignment. “Learners benefit by having access to all the tools for success available in one setting, being able to review and practice as needed, and going at their own pace” (Huett, 2008). This would also help them to have homework help at home. The complaint I get from a lot of my students’ parents is that they don’t understand the work and are unable to help their kids. If all the information, descriptions, and examples were published in an online community, then the parents and students both could access it and find success in completing the assignment. They could also communicate with other students through the blog and assist one another in that way.

Online learning will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. It will not replace the traditional classroom, as Dr. Simonson states, but will be incorporated into it instead. Colleges will continue to offer these courses, and more and more students will enroll in them. High schools will develop independent study courses and credit retrieval type courses online. Instructional designers will be in great demand (hopefully) as schools begin to acknowledge the benefits and necessity of well-designed and executed distance learning programs. The sky’s the limit, and we are at the forefront of what could be a revolution that will change the face of education forever.

Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part
3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.

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. (ND): Distance education: The next generation. Laureate Online
Education.