|
•
Foshay,
Huett, and Moller's Belief of Distance Education
•Has
a point of leaverage
•Increase
in student population
•Better models for instruction
•Need
training and educational solutions
•Needs
to be exploited intelligently and systematically
• Looking at past patterns
• Having access
• Economics
I have found many contrasting ideas with the articles and the video but very few comparisons. Both the articles and the video, provides ensight into the fact that we must look at past patterns of the diffusion of educational technology in order to see how it can evolve to the next generation. The authors also bring up the point that economics play a role in the evolving process as well as the number of people who have access to the world wide web (Moller, Huett, Foshay, and Coleman, 2008, P. 66). I do agree with Moller, Huett, Foshay, and Coleman's article in reference to the need of evolving of distance education to the next generation. The specific details of things that need to happen in order for distance education to evolve to the next generation is portrayed in a clear picture. I agree that there is a "need for better models for instruction that is actually used by learners as a communication platform" (Moller, et. al, 2008, p.74). Simonson speaks about distance education and it evolving to the next generation, He discusses the fact that his belief is that it will not replace traditional schools (Laureatte, 2008a). I am kind of torn on this issue because of the funding being provided for distance learning and the funding being subtracted from traditional schools.
Overall the authors do believe that there is a need to evolve distance education to the next generation but it is going to take work as well as time.
References:
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. & Coleman, C. (2008, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008a). Equivalency Theory. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). 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.
Hi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Moller, Huett, Foshay, and Coleman (2008) that economics play a role in the evolving process of distance learning as well as the number of people who have access to the Internet. Also, true is the notion that there is a need for improvement of learner instructional communication models (Moller, et. al, 2008, p.74). Vested interests will always be an obstacle whenever we seek to move a program or innovation to a higher level. In addition to economic factors, people tend to grieve over abandoning old ways of doing things. Change agents should take into consideration that if change is made too quickly, people will not have time to learn and come to understand the new way nor time to grieve the loss of the old (Bolman & Deal, 2008, p. 8).
As one of my sisters used to say, “The first mouse that shows up gets caught in the trap, while the second mouse gets the cheese.” This kind of mentality is true when new ideas or innovations are introduced. As we aim towards evolving distance education to the next generation, we should consider that the best form of promotion for an innovation is through demonstration of how things work and to show their benefits. As seen with Gartner’s Hype Cycle theory, people will feel elated at the birth of a new technology, thinking it holds all the answers and later will feel disappointed when the limitations surface (Gartner, 2012). For example, I was overjoyed when the iPad came out, afterwards, like other users, I became disappointed when I realize that the device did not support flash! I still use my iPad and like the hype cycle theory states, at the final stage, the new technology will reach a level where its benefits will be widely demonstrated and accepted. Do you think we are at the final stage of the hype cycle regarding distance education?
Best Regards,
Ena.
Blog: http://ena-spoonfulofsugar.blogspot.com/
References
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E, (2008). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. (4th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Wiley.
Garner. (2012). Hype Cycles 2012. Retrieved on September 10, 2012. Retrieved from. http://www.gartner.com/technology/research/hype-cycles/
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.
Ena,
DeleteNo I do not believe we are at the final stage of the hype cycle regarding DE. I do believe that we have a long way to go and grow.
It was easy to contrast the articles, but like you I could only find a certain amount of comparisons. You mentioned that we must look at past patterns to see how distance education will evolve to the next generation. However, I think it is difficult to make a lot of predictions regarding distance education. Technology is something that is constantly changing, and when we blend it with distance education we have to keep in mind those who are “running” and “creating” it. People can make all these predictions about distance education in general, but each school and instructor has a lot of control with how THAT e-learning program will evolve. I can see how you are torn between the possibilities of DE replacing traditional schools. I do not think DE can afford to replace traditional schools because of the variety of learners in the world, and the need for a more hands-on approach at times. When you mention funding, are you implying that distance learning is more affordable than traditional schools, or that distance education can provide more opportunities to students versus traditional schools?
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteIn referenceto funding, I am implying that DE is much more costly than traditional public school. That is for the consumer, it would cost more. I do not believe that DE can provide more opportunities to students versus traditional schools due to the fact that it is in the cyber world. DE do not place an emohasis on gifted and talented. What happens with honor roll? Is there a ceremony for that?
You make a very good point! It also takes away from the elective courses, and the extra curricular opportunities that are available in traditional school. I never even thought about gifted and talented, honor roll, perfect attendance, valedictorian, and other awards and ceremonies.
DeleteI responded to the following blogs:
ReplyDeletehttps://jwagnerwalden.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/the-next-generation-of-distance-education/comment-page-1/#comment-2
http://marytolsoneds.blogspot.com/2013/06/after-reading-three-articles-by-moller.html?showComment=1371328311802#c8323450105481727975
Theresa
ReplyDeleteI most certainly agree with you with economic plays a role in the evolving process of distance education. It's a little frustrating to me that district wouldn't elect to invest in using more distance education. I guess it's true that education is the last profession to get on board with the evolving technologies. The authors were correct when they mention "the need of evolving technology to the next generation." We are working with students who are far more advance than before but we are limiting them because of the fear that we have. Do you feel that students would be more college and career ready if we implemented for distance education?
Mr. Bell
DeleteTo answer your question, yes. We are implementing common core, which I think will have students a bit more prepared for any college and career.