Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

Elements of Distance Education Diffusion

 Communication Powerpoint

Next Generation of Distance Learners

Module 1:  After reading the three articles by Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman, and listening to the Simonson video programs, compare and contrast the reasons these authors believe there is a need to evolve distance education to the next generation. Do you agree with their positions? Why or why not? Simonson's Belief of Distance Education •Will increase dramatically •Is approaching critical mass in society •Will not replace traditional schools •Incorporated into most learning environments         • Looking at past patterns        • Having access        • Economics

  •

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.