Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

I do agree with George Siemens as he discusses the reasons why there has been an increase in acceptance of distance education. I believe this is accurate because more and more of my colleagues, family, and friends are communicating through different modes of online communication.  This is true from seeing my niece for the first time on Facebook to becoming an active participate in a collaborative assignment using Wiki.

Collaborative interaction has evolved from groups sitting in a circle, prerecorded videos, and conference calls, to interactive videoconferencing, blogs, and Wikis used as tools in learning teams.  Webcams have been used in rural areas in reaching students through Skype and iChat. Using such technology allows struggling readers and teachers the opportunity to collaborate with the other schools or universities without any cost to the school district. I have also found myself searching for tools to enrich my classes without cost to our school district.  My students begin using blogs this week.  I believe they will enjoy this new exciting, opportunity to read and write.  I am new to the concept, but I am excited and anxious to learn.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rural_education/2010/08/program_uses_webcam_free_technology_to_reach_teachers_readers_inrural_schools.html?qs=using+blogs+to+teach

Unfortunately, the positive sentiments related to distance education are not shared by all.  As evolution of distance learning has evolved, so has the questions and concerns for quality. One Minister of Education has issued a directive to outlaw distance education because of quality concerns. Most of us can probably say this radical movement in distance education moves us backwards, but the concern of quality is a continued issue in every distance education program. This radical attempt to combat a serious issue is foolish in any part of the world.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alemayehu-g-mariam/ethiopia-indoctri-nation_b_706199.html

As distance learning evolves in a more productive, effective program, many issues concerning quality will take place, but the solution is not to eliminate the innovation.  If innovations around the world were eliminated because of barriers, we would still be in the dark ages.  How can we combat issues such as quality? Where can teachers find free tools to enhance their practice?

~Wanda Ardoin-Bailey

Mariam, A. (2010, September 5). Ethiopia: Indoctri-Nation. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alemayehu-g-mariam/ethiopia-indoctri-nation_b_706199.html

Schulken, M. (2010, August 2). Program Uses Webcam, Free Technology to Reach Rural Schools. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rural_education/2010/08/program_uses_webcam_free_technology_to_reach_teachers_readers_inrural_schools.html?qs=using+blogs+to+teach

Simonson, M. “Equivalency Theory”

The Next Generation of Distance Education

I agree with the position of the authors as it relates to the need to evolve distance education in the next generation; however, most of my experience with distance education in K-12 has been negative.


The third part of the article relates to my negative experience with distance education as it relates to a “dumping ground” for at- risk students and the lack of trained professionals. The instructor across from my classroom had a distance learning lab. She was told she would have this lab only a week prior to the first day of school. Fortunately she was motivated to seek training from other teachers experienced in the area, but the principal’s perception of the class was not one of great importance for the entire student body. The principal perceived this course as a way to decrease the drop out rate. She had little authority as it relates to the course, and did not buy into to its importance. Needless to say the course was dropped from the school curriculum, although the current instructor was never informed until rosters were distributed.

Distance learning does play a significant role in addressing at-risk students, and Distance learning can be beneficial to our secondary schools as it has shown to greatly enhance higher education in terms of instructional technologies and learning outcomes. Perceptions of authority and other psychological determinants must be addressed.