The element that I chose of distance education is global diversity. Distance education has created a new form of diversity.It is not only about race or socio-economic status anymore, its about what state or even country one lives in. George Siemens(2011) discusses what the growing acceptace of distance education is fueled by, and one of the things he discusses is the "ability to communicate with diverse and global groups" (Laureate Education Inc., 2011). It has evolved so quickly simply beacuse it gave education new opportunities and insight to communicating and collaborating in a diverse manner.
There are so many online tools that are available now to make this collaboration easier and more convenient. Some of these tools are skype, wikis, blogs, and chats. Technology is rapidly developing and there are new innovations developed all the time to continue to make global diversity more convenient particularly in distance education.
References
Siemens, G. (2008). Assessment of collaborative learning. Vodocast. Laureate Education, Inc.
I totally agree that distance learning have created a new form of how to collaborate globally. Distance can provide numerous ways to make earning your degree flexible for possible students across the globe. With all the new technologies that goes with distance learning provides an opportunity for students to communicate, collaborate and have an active role just as you were in a traditional classroom setting. One of the most important aspects of distance learning is being comfortable. I believe if potential students are comfortable their experience would be more rewarding.
ReplyDeleteKeith
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI feel that global diversity is a positive element of distance learning. I feel that in a face to face classroom, such as "X University", all of the teachers who attend classes are from the same area; therefore, many times their thinking is the same. However; with distance learning being so globally diverse, we are able to collaborate and get different outlooks on topics which widens our viewpoints.
Jennifer
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your post and like the fact that new technology makes it easier for students to collaborate globally. I teach in a highly hispanic population and over fifter percent of my class receives ESOL support. There has been a lot of discussion about elementary schools enrolling in distant education. Do you think ESOL students would be successful in that learning environment? Just a thought
Keith, Beth, and Tracy
ReplyDeleteI apologize that it has taken so long for me to respond but I have been having technical issues with commenting. I agree that one of the most beneficial parts about distance learning is that the students are comfortable. Students are in their own homes and do not have to worry about other students around them being disruptive or anything. I also agree that distance learning makes global diversity more existent because we are not all from the same area. We have different beliefs, work in different types of organizations, and have different backgrounds. This opens up so many outlets that never existed before!!
I think that ESOL students would have a more difficult time with distance education simply because it is not in their language at all and there is no modifications to help them succeed in this type of environment.
Rachel