Week 3: Distance Learning Technologies

If given the assignment of recommending a distance learning technology tool to assist teachers with conducting interactive tours for artwork and museum tours, I would  start with suggesting a tool like Tangler or Nabble.  These two, as suggested in this weeks resource allow for synchronous threaded conversations, essentially discussions in which the postings are related to a specific topic.  Students can also add media to their postings using these particular technologies.  Another method that would be a a viable solution as a discussion technology would be web conferencing software such as Elluminate and WebEx, which both provide an online learning environment with Voice over Internet Protocal (VoiP) over internet protocol, video and collaboration options that allows teachers and students to interact as if face-face.  Web conferencing refers to a service that allows conferencing events to be shared with remote locations. In general the service is made possible by Internet technologies, particularly on TCP/IP connections. The service allows real-time point-to-point communications as well as multicast communications from one sender to many receivers.

Web conferencing provides essential tools that would allow student to virtually tour and visit museums and to review artwork via distance learning program simultaneously with other students. Utilizing WebEx provides the following capabilities:

• Integrated voice, video and simple mobile access
• Meet online anytime, anywhere, even on the go
• Meet face-to-face with integrated video and audio
• Meet wherever you want—your office, iPhone, smartphone, even your iPad!
• Record and replay your meetings and share with colleagues.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_conferencing

http://www.elluminate.com/downloads/support/docs/Elluminate_Access_Guide.pdf

http://www.webex.com/lpintl/us/sem/sem-together.html?CPM=KNC-sem&TrackID=1021381&semid=sae62eKbl_5802215546

Week 1: Revised View of Distance Learning

Tracey's Mindmap

Week 1: The Impact of Distance Learning

According to Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, and Zvacek (2012), “the roots of distance education are at least 160 years old.” (pg. 37) Distance education has been compared to the microcomputer that was introduced in the 1980’s, in which there was quite a bit of skepticism and concerns around the utilization and capabilities of it. The concept of distance learning as another innovation that had it skeptics as well, but much like the microcomputer that is as common as televisions now, distance learning too has become a very familiar and common method for attending schools. Distance learning has grown exponentially since the onset of it, much like microcomputers, which most if not all students have access to these days, there is one difference. According to Dr. Michael Simonson (2012), although the expected growth of distance learning has been exponential and has been widely adopted and accepted as an innovation, along the same paradigm as the computer, growth will be significant, but not in a revolutionary way. Education in the traditional sense, the brick and mortar building like universities and college campuses will never be replaced by distance learning, therefore while growth will be significant, but not in a revolutionary way. One of the implications of distance learning programs is the lack of trained professionals. According to Huett, Moller, Foshay, Coleman, (2008) in terms of instructional design, teachers (if they are trained at all in ID theory and practice) are trained to design instruction for traditional classroom. There seems to be a need for ID’s to be trained in distance education technologies and design - functioning as content knowledge experts and teachers and simultaneously facilitating the delivery of specific instructional strategies and design for successful implementation (pg. 65). Distance learning has been the best solution for my lifestyle, although very demanding, there are a host of benefits that comes with being able to learn new skills from the comfort of my home. I personally was not interested in attending classes on-campus while getting a graduate degree, although there are some benefits of having peer-to-peer relationships with others, especially for group projects. In my opinion, there are advantages and disadvantages to distance learning, those being: Advantages/Benefits/Opportunities of Distance Learning -Convenient and flexible for almost anyone individual, professional and personally. -Accessible in the fact that you can live almost anywhere, absolutely anywhere and as the proper technology is in place, one can access a distance learning program -Requires a great deal of self-motivation and self-management, that in a traditional setting could be taken for granted. -Structured and scheduled, which can be quite helpful for those who have a hard time organizing themselves Disadvantages of Distance Learning -Difficult to connect with other students in the classroom, and perhaps even the instructor/teacher; Socially lacking -Distance learning happens at different times, different time zones, thus making it difficult for students and teachers alike to reach one another at the same time. -The tone and expression in written discussions and responses can be misinterpreted by the students or the instructor -Difficult to get one-on-one help for understanding and clarification of subject matter or details that are being taught. -A delay on the part of the instructor with addressing the needs of the student -Requires a great deal of self-motivation and self-management, which can be difficult for those who need the face-to-face relationship and guidance. References: Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67. Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson. Chapter 2, "Definitions, History, and Theories of Distance Education" (pp. 32–41 only) Laureate Education, Inc. (2012). "Distance Learning Timeline Continuum"
This multimedia, interactive timeline chronicles the evolution of distance learning from 1833–2009 [Video transcript]