Distance Learning Reflections

Distance Learning -- Reflection

Hermes Sanchez

Walden University

EDUC 6125: Foundation of Distance Learning

25 December 2011

Learners Motivation -- Reflection

Starting this course was exciting for me as I was looking forward to making my mark as its where I looking to start my next career as a teacher online.  Understanding the concepts of distance learning is vital for any teacher or instructor.  There are many factors to consider as I learned throughout this course.   Its has made me think about where the perception of distance will be in the future and how as an instructional designer I can be a proponent and positive force to this ever growing field of distance learning.

During my classes I have learned that learning is all about getting that change in behavior.   Distance learning seems to fall in the same category as for this field to excel in the future, people need to learn and understand this field.  There may be many kinds of actions that have shown that this field is heading this that directions as record number of students are joining the crowds to online classes.  It comes down to the person believing that doing this instruction and being able to change their behavior and at what level (Ormond, 2009). I never thought that this was such a complex process especially since everyone has some areas that differ from others.   In 10 – 30 years, most universities will have more students online that in class just due to the cost and availability to the students and the schools themselves (Simonson, 2009).   Soon companies will value degrees from distance learning as high as any traditional university and that will be the paradigm that will break and keep distance learning going strong. 

My experiences over the last 19 years in the military have given more experiences that most executives would never have in a lifetime. I do believe what works for you now might not work for you later in life. This is why it’s so important to get this information out how this invaluable resource is used all the time in online courses.   Instructor designers must know that these concepts or ideas need to be carried out to the schools and workplaces to show how great this type of instruction is.  Some instruction must be designed to effect a change in belief and value systems (Conlan, 2003).   This is why I am a big proponent for distance learning and its most vocal cheerleader.  I encourage folks to try this medium so they can get some type of connection to see its benefits.    This is how we get the connection with all the theories, styles, and motivation from distance learning.  Once we understand their distance learning process, the others will fall in place. 

I have met so many folks who are thankful to the lord for distance learning. Whichever online education options you choose, they all require focus, dedication, and motivation (Simonson, 2009). These are all traits you look for when you go too any traditional university or trade school.  With the ease of scheduling and empowerment of assignments deadlines, it seems that it gives everyone a change to get their knowledge and power in order to get that degree to get that promotion, pay raise, or new position.  These positive forces is a big wave to information that is slowly getting to the all of US as schools await for more homes to catch up to the technology to allow more folks to get online and get their degrees.  It’s a big force that will assist many people in a positive way.

With all my schooling and work experience; I was amazed on how things go on when it came to distance learning. The concepts and styles allow me as a instruction designer to be able to see and understand how to deal and assist any student.  I will be able to know which way I should take the course or class, what questions will get them to open up and what teaching media and instructions will work best for that student (Ormod, 2010).  Distance learning is a field that is getting stronger and will be a major positive force in the educational world.  This course has help me feel better prepared to run a course and be able to adapt.  This is a course that has given me the tools to succeed and I will be a positive influence that will guide to others on how to succeed and prosper.

References

Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York. pp53

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a
distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson

Ormrod, Jeanne , (Director). (2010) . Information Processing and the Brain. [Motion Picture].

Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003). Adult learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning

Converting to Distance Learning

Distance learning is becoming a bigger media when it comes to education.  Many educators will need to break from that paradigm in order to keep up with the technology and not be left behind.  I have created a document that will discuss the different avenues, methods, and ideas that would be helpful to any educator who wants to transfer over their courses to distance learning.  The biggest shame is that educator don't even realize how much help its make to so many people by teaching them a subject they would not otherwise have a chance to live day to day.

Hermes Sanchez

To be Open or Closed

To be Open or Closed

By Hermes Sanchez

         In our society, it seems that when items and programs are free, a certain value is placed.   Open Course is a free resource that has been most individuals are unaware of.   These courses are tool to improve learners’ knowledge. Many use these courses to coincide with their regular studies, to plug in holes or to get an awareness how other universities treat a matter (Simonson, 2009).  Any students would strongly benefit from some more coordination and from some access to teaching beyond the pure material.  One example of a good Open Course site is http://webcast.berkeley.edu.

 

         They handle a wide arrange of courses that would benefit any student looking for quick refresher or updated their knowledge.  They also have campus service for recording and publishing course and campus events for students and learners.

         One aspect that grabs your attention is the educators’ involved in these courses.  Its your list of the top scholars of each department.  Their focus is primarily on leveraging technology to bring down the overall cost of production and distribution (Simonson, 2009). They have developed system automatically invites eligible faculty to participate each semester, manages their responses, create and schedule course recordings, and process and publish media files to Webcast Berkeley. 

         This clearly shows that Berkeley has carefully pre-planned and designed their courses more for a distance-learning environment.  With majority of the courses in You-tube, most information is directly form the course itself with an institute course premise and outline that allows students to follow carefully and be able to build their knowledge base.    This is a basis that seems to be growing and a fast rate as its development is setting new standards for open course learning objects.

         The latest design that the schools are looking to enhance is the OpenCast Matterhorn Community. 

  

Opencast Community is looking to launch a development project which is a collaboration between 13 partner institutions to develop and deliver an open-source automated lecture audio and video capture, processing, and distribution system.  They will set a new precedence on the value of the open course that very well even go further than the original concept on the online community chat that can involve world wide talk which will open to everyone.  Course designers have look in a way to fully maximize the course activities with interaction with students aboard and possible networking and knowledge base that will only benefit any learner who goes into this open course.

     Open courses seems to be a big trend that many big universities are using to enhance their students, prepare them for their courses, and for what the future will be in distance learning.  Berkeley has a good open course program that is beneficial to any learner or student who is looking to build the information tank and be able to tackle any additional courses to get that degree.  Course developers have set good planned course material and gathered their top educators on video to give the student a complete interaction for the old school or classroom traditionalist but given a small sample how the distance learning will be a big force in the future.  I would be “Open” than be closed when it comes to these courses.

Hermes Sanchez

Reference

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pear