My Reflection on Distance Learning

To talk about the future of distance learning, I would need to start with my dealings with distance learning. When I decided to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree several years ago, I was a single mom of a newborn, I wasn’t sure how I was ever going to achieve my degree as well as raise my child, then I found an online degree program. I found that I could obtain my bachelors in Graphic Design while staying home with my son, and I could still work. I first thought it was too good to be true, I researched as much as I could, I asked family and friends what they knew about obtaining an online degree, very few knew anything about it and most did not think it would be credible. I did my research, found an accredited online degree program and went for it, I received my Bachelors of Science in 2010, upon receipt of that I knew I wanted to go even further, I wanted to take some time off but knew that I would go for my Masters.  Five years later and now I am here at Walden University working on my Master’s Degree, now many of my family members and friends have now attended online programs and are more accepting of distance learning.

                I believe that over the next five to ten years distance learning will continue to become more accepted and more credible, I think as technology advances and people get even more comfortable using technology, advances will continue to make distance learning common place. In 10 to 20 years I believe that distance learning will be as common as classic brick and mortar schools, you will have your choice of which you want to attend, I could see more and more parents choosing distance learning for their own children, to home school or to further develop those children who have learning disabilities. I can see distance learning being used in elementary schools and companies to assist in ways we have yet to think of.

                As an Instructional Designer we can be proponents for improving societal perceptions of distance learning because some of us will have obtained our degrees and will be able to use our personal experiences when talking about distance learning. Many times the best ways to change a person’s attitude towards something is to provide them with information based on personal experiences, if you had a positive experience and share the experience with someone considering a distance learning program, it might help them to choose the program and guide them.  We can also improve perceptions in our designing, when we design courses and curriculums we can take all of what we have learned and what we will continue to learn and improve. Always keeping the learner in mind and their learning styles, the technologies that they may or may not have, their experiences and being mindful of making their learning experience the best possible. It is never easy to improve societal perceptions, but it can be achieved and it can be great when it is done.

                I plan to be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education by taking everything I have learned from this class, from this program and from life experiences when building courses, developing online learning experiences and creating the best distance learning experience possible for my learners, getting to know my learners, knowing as much as I can about the materials, keeping up to date on the latest technology advances, ensuring the learner’s engagement.

“Distance education will be impacted by: New communication technologies, contribution by experts around the world, and increase use of multimedia, games, and simulations.” (Laureate Education, n.d.) As an Instructional Designer it is up to us to keep with technologies and the advances, we need to test, implement, develop and play with these advances so that we can see how they work,  what might work best for each of our learners and programs.

References

Laureate Education (Producer), (No Date). The Future of Distance Education [Video file of Dr. George Siemens]. Retrieved from https://class.walden.edu

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Technologies, the Internet, and Distance Education, Teaching and Learning At a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education (6th Ed.), Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing

Converting to a Distance Learning Format

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Are you considering updating a face-to-face training session to something new, possibly converting it to a distance learning format? These Best Practices will help guide you with your transition. 

You have already taken the first step, by identifying the format. This is an important piece, choosing between asynchronous, synchronous and hybrid can make all the difference in what you do from here on out for this conversion.

Target Audience 

Choosing/Knowing a target audience  is a very important step, "the learners in the class must be considered in order to ensure success and doing so “…yields a more productive learning environment.” (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 154). Learn about your learners, what are they looking to get out of the class, what is their level of understanding, where are they technology wise. Answer questions about the learner to get a better understanding of where they are coming from and how they will access and use the information.

Instructional Design Models

Next, you should research your options for Instructional Design Models, there are several out there. While ADDIE is most commonly known and used it is not your only option, knowing more about models like Dick and Carey Model, which "addresses instruction as an entire system, focusing on the interrelationship between context, content, learning and instruction." (Instructional Design Central) You can also explore Kemp's Instructional Design Model "is particularly useful for developing instructional programs that blend technology, pedagogy and content to deliver effective, inclusive(reliable) and efficient learning. (Instructional Design Central) These are just a few options available to help you.

Technology

Technology, will you use a Learning Management System (LMS), how will you deliver the materials to the learner. Choosing a LMS is important if this is the route you choose you will want to research the options. Choosing your technology will help you choose your interactivity,which is the next step.

Interactivity

Interactivity, how will you interact with the learners, what are your options here, explore the concepts and options that are available. Will you use Discussions, will you use Wiki's, Blog or something new and innovative? The interaction needs to occur on many levels, Learner to Content , Learner to Instructor and Learner to Learner. (Pappas 2012)

Evaluation

Evaluation, how will you evaluate the learner, what they learned and how much they retained. “Evaluation of programs is used to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as the benefits and drawbacks of teaching and learning online”, (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012, p. 348). 
  

References

Design, I. (2012). Instructional Design Central | Instructional Designer Resources, Information, and Professional Networking Services. Retrieved December 11, 2015, from http://www.instructionaldesigncentral.com/

Pappas, C. (2012, August 28). ELearning Industry, TOP 5 tips to Convert your Traditional Course into an eLearning format. Retrieved December 11 2015, from http://elearningindustry.com/

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

Wordle image: www.wordle.net - created by Delena Holmes

Open Source's Impact on Distance Learning

In my current class Distance Learning we were asked to review an Open Source course, I chose to explore a course offered by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) the course name is "Slavery and Human Trafficking in the 21st Century"(http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/anthropology/21a-445j-slavery-and-human-trafficking-in-the-21st-century-spring-2015/) this course was offered during the Spring of this year. The course is well laid out, the materials were easy to locate and I was able to locate a syllabus, calendar and my assignments. From and Instructional Design standpoint, the course has been carefully planned with the learner in mind, you are provided with instant links to purchase course materials as needed, you have downloads available and easily located. Our text states “the components of a successful learning system are the learners, the content, the methods, the materials and the environment, including the technology” (Simonson, Smaldino, Zvacek, 2015). It is my belief that this course had all these components. I think it is great that during this course you not only have reading materials, you also get to watch films and videos.       

The subject is not an easy one to watch, but the ID for this course took a difficult subject and made a course that to me is engaging, insightful and keeps the learner in mind. There are weekly notes as part of your assignments, a small group presentation and a term paper is due at the end, and it’s a minimum of 17 to 20 pages. You are provided with more than enough resources, and information, samples and time. I felt the course was engaging, even without being in a live group environment.

        As I perused some of the other offerings I began to notice that MIT has a template for the layout of their courses. This in my opinion makes it easier for the learner feel comfortable navigating between the courses, having everything structured provides a comfort level once you have completed your first course you know that your future courses will have the same feel to them.

References

Mitali Thakor. 21A.445J Slavery and Human Trafficking in the 21st Century, Spring 2015. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare),http://ocw.mit.edu (Accessed 2 Dec, 2015). License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education

Collaborative Training Environment

Example- A new automated staff information system was recently purchased by a major corporation and needs to be implemented in six regional offices. Unfortunately, the staff is located throughout all the different offices and cannot meet at the same time or in the same location. As an instructional designer for the corporation, you have been charged with implementing a training workshop for these offices. As part of the training, you were advised how imperative it is that the staff members share information, in the form of screen captures and documents, and participate in ongoing collaboration.

There are many great options available, one just needs to do some research. One option that you could offer is a virtual session, utilizing a combination of video conferencing, such as Vidyo and web hosting program, such as On24, you would be able to host a training that can be live for multiple attendees, and recorded for future attendees, you have options like annotations, chats and Q&A sessions to interact the staff members they can share screen captures, documents and various other items during the session. Another great option is to utilize a CMS, like Moodle.com and create the course and allow discussions, 

During a recent roll out of a new software at the Firm we created a progressive roll out of the software training. We offered several Live in office and Virtual offerings, we also recorded a session and created a course in our LMS, our LMS is SumTotal, to offer to those unavailable for the live sessions. We then created Q&A sessions for after the roll out that could be attended and to allow for even more questions and collaboration. For these sessions we simply utilized a webinar hosting program, we use WebEx. 

As an Instructional Designer it is important to know your options, research your options and find the one that works best for that situation. Currently we are exploring options for how to offer more virtual training to our world wide offices, with budget and travel constraints it becomes important to look at options on how to continue to offer training sessions. This is where we get to really have some fun and explore options, try new things and see what works best for our clients. We have explored two options for some classes, we recently offered an entire 4 hour course virtually using video conferencing software. The class went well, our learners were engaged and the facilitator was able to get all the materials in. 

References:

www.webex.com
www.on24.com
www.vidyo.com
www.moodle.com
www.coursesites.com

Distance Learning

     In my lifetime I have not traveled to many places, but thanks to distance learning I have been able to receive my education without leaving my home. I have been able to raise my son on my own, without having to put him in daycare or having missed milestones in his life thus far. I now have a teenager, my Bachelors and am working on my Masters, 

       Distance Learning means different things to different people. For example, I don't think I would have thought of the distance learning like correspondence courses, I hadn't thought of those in years, not till I read about it in our readings. Now I can remember when correspondence courses were offered, I can remember many of the other types of distance learning I researched when I first graduated high school, and wasn't sure the traditional classroom was for me. It turns out I wasn't meant for the traditional classroom, online learning was what fit me, I could participate in discussions, be a part of a group, learn at my own pace and learn self discipline. 

          While Distance Learning might not be for everyone it has changed my life both personally and professionally. I believe Distance Learning is such a generic term, if you ask someone in the learning field what is Distance Learning, you are sure to get many different answers. I actually did this in my office, I asked some of our Trainers, Senior Trainers, Training Coordinators even Managers, how they would define Distance Learning, it was truly amazing at how many different answers I received. While it appears to me there is no one way to define Distance Learning, it is what you make of it. . 

Reference:

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015). Definitions, History, and Theories of Distance Education, Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education, pgs. 35 – 40.