Module 2

EDUC 8842 Module 2

The prompt:

Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

George Siemens discussed the growing acceptance of distance education in today’s corporate and educational spheres, including three possible elements of distance education that are creating more effective learning experiences and giving distance education an identity of its own distinct from F2F courses: (a) global diversity, (b) communication, and (c) collaborative interaction. Do you agree or disagree with his view?

Select one of these three elements for your reflection in this module and respond to the following in your blog:

·         How has this element evolved?

·         What online tools are available today to facilitate these interactions among learners?

Find at least two blog posts by other educators on this topic and reflect on their positions in your blog. Include links to these other blogs as you critique their ideas.

The response:

Developing the skills for online teaching is a daunting and manageable task for the next generation of learners.  This can be magnified for the last generation of learners turned teachers as well!  Communication is an essential aspect of the process in either synchronous or asynchronous environments (Siemens, n.d.; Smeiser, 2009).  New technology will present new options and communication may be somewhat more subtle by adapting the existing technology like Facebook to educational needs (Yirka, 2011). 

Communication is essential for education and online communication is a logical next step.  The only limits we may face now are how and what and how we use the options available.  Facebook may be a marketers dream but as most tools, can have other applications as well as a stand-in for the teacher’s assistant with or without the alter ego (Yirka, 2011).

Seimens (n.d.) makes the case, which I support, that the technology will allow greater opportunity for communication and diversity of communicators.  The potential for communication is exemplified by our recent history with the ‘Arab spring’ and how society was changed by simple access to communication.  If it can bring down a dictatorship, what lies ahead for education!

 References:

Siemens, G. (n.d.). The Future of Distance Education. Baltimore, MD.

Smeiser, L. (2009, September 10). Becoming a Successful Online Educator: Distance Learning Educators Need to Do Their Homework |. Teacher Tips/Training@suite101. Retrieved from http://lynne-smelser.suite101.com/becoming-a-successful-online-educator-a144154

Yirka, B. (2011, August 18). Professor Finds Way to Connect with Students Through Facebook | Suite101.com. Teacher Tips/Training@suite101. Retrieved from http://bob-yirka.suite101.com/professor-finds-way-to-connect-with-students-through-facebook-a385102