Reflection of Distance Learning

This week’s course assignment is to reflect on my learning in this course and the presentation by Dr. Siemens.  I am going to reflect on the current and future perceptions of distance learning in our society.

If I think back 5 or 10 years, the notion of distance learning was not a popular choice.  I remember that there were a few courses offered, but most of my friends and colleagues did not elect to take them.  Distance education has grown in popularity in the last few years and people’s perceptions of a distance learning degree have also improved.

I think that in the future, distance learning will be more widely recognized and that more learning will be taken through a distance education courses. Due to the advances in technology, distance learning will be a popular way to complete education and training.  George Siemens stated that he believes there will be growing acceptance of distance education due to the increase in online communication, practical experience with new tools and growing comfort with online discourse. (Laureate Education, nd)

As an instructional designer, I will be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning by creating engaging courses that provide tools for the learner to increase his or her knowledge.  Some people have had negative views of distance learning due to the course being designed poorly.  I can help students have a good view of distance learning by ensuring the success of the course and the students involved in it.

To be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education, I will make sure to keep up to date on emerging technologies that can be used for students.  I will also ensure that the courses I design as an instructional designer use the emerging technologies and are up to date.  George Siemens states that distance education will be impacted by new communication technologies, contributions by experts around the world, and increased use of multimedia, games and simulations. (Laureate Education, nd)

Converting To A Blended Learning Course

Consider the following scenario: A training manager has been frustrated with the quality of communication among trainees in his face-to-face training sessions and wants to try something new. With his supervisor’s permission, the trainer plans to convert all current training modules to a blended learning format, which would provide trainees and trainers the opportunity to interact with each other and learn the material in both a face-to-face and online environment. In addition, he is considering putting all of his training materials on a server so that the trainees have access to resources and assignments at all times.

With this scenario in mind, and taking into consideration your Learning Resources, reflect on the following:

What are some of the pre-planning strategies the trainer needs to consider before converting his program?

The first thing that the training manager should do is use a instructional design model such as the ADDIE model.  Here is a link to a website that explains the ADDIE process. http://www.instructionaldesign.org/models/addie.html

The process of moving a face to face course to a distance learning course should first be looked at in terms of whether this environment will be best for a distance learning environment.  Simonson states that if the objectives of the course are able to be met by a distance learning course, then distance learning is an effective means of education. (2012)

The next step is organizing the structure of the course.  The training manager in this situation wants to convert all of the current training modules into the blended learning format.  This is a good start, but he should also be aware that he must plan to spend time organizing the course.  Simonson suggests that it is the responsibility of the instructor, [in a distance learning environment] when designing the course, to be certain that there are hints and suggestions, clearly articulated expectations, and information presented in multiple locations for easy access.  (2012)

What aspects of his original training program could be enhanced in the distance learning format?

Interactive Media is one part of his original training program that could be enhanced in the distance learning format.  By using video, audio, wikis, and apps such as google docs the students will be able to interact with the material and collaborate with other students.  Simonson et al state that distance students derive value from collaborative learning environments.

How will his role, as trainer, change in a distance learning environment?

An instructor of a distance learning course will be more of a facilitator of learning.  He will need to make sure to set specific expectations of the students.  He will need to communicate and encourage students to participate and communicate.  He will be responsible for providing timely feedback and ensuring success of the students.

What steps should the trainer take to encourage the trainees to communicate online?

Some steps that the trainer should take to encourage communication is to set up the expectations.  He will need to state in the syllabus that students are expected to participate in communicating respectfully.  He will also have to provide a framework for how students can contact the instructor.  Simonson also states that he should provide information on the syllabus on what to do if the students are having technical difficulties. (2012)

References

ADDIE model, (nd) retrieved on August 19^th 2014 from http://www.instructionaldesign.org/models/addie.html

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

Open Culture Initial Review

This week my course assignment asked me to choose a free open course site and review and reflect on what I have learned from designing instruction.  I have chosen to review Open Culture.  www.openculture.com

Does the course appear to be carefully pre-planned and designed for a distance learning environment? How so?

At first glance, the website seems to be very organized.  You can choose from several categories including audiobooks, ebooks, online courses and more.  You can also search their resources.  After your initial selection you can choose a category and subcategory to help find relative information.  I viewed a few psychology courses to give me an idea of what was in their courses.  Open Culture took me to a free itunesU lecture.  It was just the audio of the lecture.  I felt that it was very easy to navigate and find what I was looking for.  Simonson et al state that the componenets of a successful learning system are the learners, the content, the method and materials, and the environment. (Simonson et al, 152)

Does the course follow the recommendations for online instruction as listed in your course textbook?

Although the material seemed to be organized well, I felt that it did not meet recommendations for online instruction as listed in my course textbook.  For example, the psychology course was an audio of a traditional lecture from a class.  Simonson et al state that the focus of instruction shifts to engaged learners, alternate ways to illustrate key concepts and activities that encourage interactivity.  (Simonson et al, 152)  The course was more of a podcast.  That is not to say that you would not learn anything from it, but it did not include some of the activities that are important in distance learning.

Did the course designer implement course activities that maximize active learning for the students?

In the courses that I viewed, there were no course activities in any of them.  Most of the content was a video or audio of a traditional course lecture.    “It is important to remember that no matter which technological formats are used in distance education, the trend is to reduce the ‘amount’ of information delivered and to increase the ‘interactive value’ of the learning experience.”  (Simonson et al, 157)

References

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

Open Culture, retrieved on August 2^nd, 2014 from www.openculture.com