Distance education has quickly became the future of education. It does not matter whether you are in kindergarten or you are going back to school to further your degree, you are now able to do it all online. However, Huett, Moller, Foshay, and Coleman (2008) believe that distance education needs to develop further to reach its full potetial and to become the way of education in the future. There are many careers that are now beginning to look down on degrees that one has obtained through an online university. These degrees may have the same accredidation as a state university but they are not being viewed the same in a career aspect. These authors all agree that distance learning has some evolving and developing to do in order to have the equivalency to state university programs. The main concern is that it is not providing the proper training individuals need in order to perform their job up to expectations.
While Simonson(2000), feels that distance education is a great addition to the education field and in some way it has been around for decades. Although he does not think that it will ever replace the traditional school environment, it will continue to grow and develop becoming more and more common.
Distance education has given many adults the opportunity to continue their education when they may have not been able to previously due to life's commitments. It has been a great new method of education and I hope it continues to evolve and become even more effective. However, I do not want it replace traditional schools. I love teaching in the classroom and it provides so many other life skills to children.
References
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W.R., & Coleman, C. (2008). Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (part 3). Tech Trends, 52(5), 63-67.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008a). Distance education: The next generation [Video program]. Available from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5260640&Survey=1&47=7338982&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008b). Equivalency Theory [Video program]. Available from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5260640&Survey=1&47=7338982&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI find the debate over state university vs. distance learning interesting. When I first started teaching (10 yrs ago) I often heard coworkers make snide statements about online degree programs. Since that time, many of my colleagues have enrolled in distance learning programs. I have heard comments from those who have taken online courses about the work load of an online course being heavier than a face to face course. I feel that distance learning programs have taken great strides to match the quaility of education that state univerisities provide. Hopefully, society will begin to recognize this! ~Jennifer
I totally agree that distance learning is growing rapidly. Distance learning allows you the opportunity to collaborate with students across the country. Distance learning is just as serious as university attendance and in many ways employers look at distance learners more favorably simply because they know how much effort and discipline is needed to juggle education and work. I have experience being in a traditional classroom and online. My online experience has been great. Many of traditional universities are offering distance learning courses. Regardless of distance education or traditional universities, if the school is not accredited then that particular will not be a great choice.
ReplyDeleteKeith