Distance education as we know it materialized in the 1960s, and although it predominantly consisted as a self-directed learning method (correspondence courses, with textbooks and previously prepared lessons), it presented opportunities for the working populace to receive an education; however, it was also the foundation of an emerging issue which accompanied distance education and continued to adversely develop as time progressed, yet modern online learning has been enhanced by the theories of illustrious scholars. Theories of Transactional distance and Andragogy have influenced the technological expansion of distance education into the 21st century's streamlined, learner-centered environment. Distance education (DE) has historically had a low success rate. "From past to present, dropout rate of students is [sic] one of the main problems regarding to [sic] distance education. Related research showed that approximately 30% and 50% of distance education students fail to complete distance education courses" (Horzum, 2012, p. 1). One institution, the University System of Georgia, is searching for new methods to improve the distance education model, for studies have revealed facts documenting that distance education graduation rates have declined and withdrawal numbers have increased despite the fact that traditional face-to-face instruction have remained unchanged; moreover, Coastline Community College interviewed several students regarding online education, and a substantial percentage of those students interviewed stated that they never intended to earn an online degree program (Nash, n.d.). Distance education courses were not taken seriously, nor where they viewed as a beneficial form of learning, for there are no p... ... middle of paper ... ... perspective. London & New York: RoutledgeFalmer. Reischmann, J. (2000). Andragogy.net. Retrieved from http://www.uni-bamberg.de/fileadmin/andragogik/08/andragogik/andragogy/index.htm Reyes, J. A. (2013). Transactional Distance Theory. Distance Learning, 10(3), 43-50. Robertson, E. (2012). The History of Distance Learning and Online Education. Edudemic. Retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/the-history-of-distance-learning-and-online-education/ Wengrowicz, N., & Offir, B. (2013). Teachers' Perceptions of Transactional Distance in Different Teaching Environments. American Journal Of Distance Education, 27(2), 111-121. doi:10.1080/08923647.2013.773701 Wheeler, S. (2007). The Influence of Communication Technologies and Approaches to Study on Transactional Distance in Blended Learning. ALT-J: Research In Learning Technology, 15(2), 103-117. http://tinyurl.com/num4pvl
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2003). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education
In his article, “Can You Be Education from a Distance?”, James Barszcz effectively weighs the pros and cons of online education compared to the traditional method, while effectively supporting his position with factual information and statistics. While distance education proves to be convenient for students, Barszcz asserts that it eliminates valuable experiences necessary in order to get the most out of the material being learned.
Weinstein writes that "…[Distance Education] gained momentum in the early 1980s using a combination of satellite delivered video and two-way audio. Many sites could watch the broadcasts, and phone or fax in questions and assignments. Now, spurred by the Internet and videoconferencing technology, distance learning is taking off…(Weinstein, 1997, p.1). He said that "initially, distance learning was envisioned as a way to serve students who lacked access to a complete education, whether due to insufficient resources, geographic isolation, or physical disabilities (Weinstein ,p.1). "Distance education is becoming a viable way to supplement programs and support innovation, rather than being merely a better-than-nothing alternative to doing without (Weinstein, p.1).
Simonson, M; Smaldino, S. E.; Albright, M.; Zvacek, S. (2001). Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall
Distance learning is taught in several ways. Originally, distance, or “Independent learning, a descendant of correspondence study, used printed materials and mail-in assignments to provide access to geographically isolated individuals” (Miller). This, however, has been replaced by on-line classes with the advent of the Internet. Mathew Mariani describes the most common approach in an article comparing an on-line course with a traditional in-classroom lecture. The material for the course is the same but it is presented via streaming video. For the on-line course, the lecture was recorded with a digital camera and downloaded by students from their personal computers. As Mariani states, “The video plays in a small window, and a slide show recreating classroom visual aids displays in a larger window. The slides advance in sync with the video lecture.” According to a study reported by Scott Dellana on performance factors, “. . .courses with the on-line option have been found to be as effective as the traditional course.”
A myriad of schools around the world have successfully utilized the advancement of technologies to create more appropriate learning conditions for learners. Beldarrin (2006) stated that the evolution of technology encouraged distance educators to use new tools to launch better learning environments where learners are prepared to be life-long learners. With distance education, schools have been able to take in more students, but they do not need to expand their physical space. Adult learners believe distance education is more accessible and self-regulated. Among the distance education models, hybrid learning has become more popular because of its combination of...
Howland, J.L. & Moorse, J.L. (2002) Student Perceptions As Distance Learners In Internet-Based Courses. Distance Education 23(2): 183-195.
In my research about distance learning in the educational setting comparable to my current employment, I have selected two articles that discuss pros and cons about distance learning. The firsts article is entitled, “Barriers to online teaching in Elementary, Secondary, and teacher education,” by Zane L. Berge, Ph.D. The second one is, “Virtual Schools and E-Learning in K-12 Environments, Emerging Policy and Practice,” by Robert Blomeyer, NCREL Program Associate.
Correspondence courses were the earliest form of distance education courses. "This was the accepted norm until the middle of the century, when instructional radio and television became popular" (Sherry 337). In the past, use of distance education was not widespread because the equipment was costly and difficult to use. Distance education was also a new and unknown field and our society tends to shy away from the new and unknown. The technologies currently being utilized in connection with distance education are now easier to use and are commonly available. The costs have also become more affordable, making distance education more available. The fast paced hectic life of the 20th century also makes distance learning more desirable.
There have been many critics that strongly advocate against the use of distance learning in elementary schools. With the increased availability and choice of new technology, comes many new concerns about the quality of instruction and the threat it may pose to the already established methods of teaching. Many believe that this new teaching method may replace the existing classroom all together, and won’t give students the adequate face-to-face contact they need. Most critics fear that “ineffective face-to-face teaching methods could be made even worse when they become technology based” (Truell, 2001, p46). The computer and internet have become dominant distance learning technologies, and hold the potential to take away from the human aspect of learning, so students do not learn the proper social skills they need to develop early on. Children need to learn to interact with one another, and function properly in a social setting, they learn this primarily within the classroom, and if these classroom settings are altered by distance learning, then they will no learn how to function in the normal social school setting. Many critics also say that all schools do not have the appropriate technological support and infrastructure to make distance learning programs effective for students. Since all schools do not have the tools and financial means needed to establish and support effective distance learning programs, they would not be able to keep up with the advancing technology in education, and therefore their students would not receive the same advantages as other students in the schools around them (Ravaglia & Sommer, 2000). Greenwood (1998) states that schools using distance learning are just contracting out their educational responsibilities and that such courses result in the elimination of teaching jobs. He feels that by using distance learning to teach students, they are minimizing the teacher’s job of actually teaching the students and designing lesson plans, and therefore slowly eliminating the need for teachers in the classroom at all. It is thought that there is more emphasis being placed on teaching than learning, and as a consequence schools are using distance education as merely a means to extend the classroom walls . While the critics of distance learning feel that this is just a way for schools to educate students, and relieve themselves of their responsibilities, there has been even more substantial evidence that these programs improve the elementary curriculum, rather than replace it altogether.
I explained the flexibility that distance education gives to us as students are important to meeting educational needs of non-traditional students. When comparing both distance learning and traditional learning they both can be beneficial it just depends on the student’s preference. Does the student prefer distance learning and have the convenience of studying from anywhere or go set in a classroom all day? Distance learning and traditional learning both have their benefits for the student it just depends on whatever the individual is looking for. I also pointed out those getting a degree online have the same level of fulfillments traditional students have when they graduate. Finally, distance learning classes are carefully planned with the college they represent and meet the same courses as traditional classes. This concludes my essay on comparison of distance learning and the traditional
This section of the paper will discuss the advantages of distance education. One of the biggest advantages to completing a distance education course is the flexibility that it offers. 71% of students believe that virtual learning provides increased flexibility to take classes (CDW-G, 2011). With distance education, students can complete their education anywhere that has a computer and internet connection. This is especially important for learners that live in rural areas that may not have a university close-by. Another advantage to distance education is the convenience that it offers. Distance education allows the learner to participate in learning activities when the learner chooses. This is especially vital for learners that work a full time job or have a family. In addition to the flexibility and convenience that distance education offers, it is can also be cost-effective, depending on the university and the course taken. For example, at Georgia Perimeter College distance learners pay about 70 percent of what traditional students pay in tuition and fees per credit hour if they qualify for in-state tuition (Thompson, 2014). Online courses that allow the individual to complete their coursework from home help also cut down on various costs, such as commuting or hiring a babysitter. Distance education can also help to decrease the costs
Many people think online education can be more expensive than a traditional school setting. Previous generations did not have the option for online learning experience, so why should we start now? An interesting point about online education is that LeBaron (2010) states, “The largest school in the U.S. is the University of Phoenix Online, with a whopping 380,232 students. That’s over 5x more than the largest public school, Arizona State University, which has 68,064 students” (para. 7). Despite the cost effectiveness, distance education is becoming the educational model of the future.
Distance learning, sometimes called e-learning, is a formalized teaching and learning system specifically designed to be carried out remotely by using electronic communication. People could find out distance learning on the internet or searching form the school, sometimes teachers would introduce the best or the most credibility distance learning web. Such as class.com and University of Phoenix, etc. Distance learning is less expensive and is not constrained by geographic considerations; it offers opportunities in situations where traditional education has difficulty operating. Students with scheduling or distance problems can benefit, as can employees, because distance education can be more flexible in terms of time and can be delivered virtually anywhere. Under the unified leadership of the distance learning education, the modern distance learning education work gradual increase the number of school has now reached a certain scale. However, not every school or any distance learning education has clear idea for the modern education. Many people have differences understandings and it formed a big deviation. It can be said, for the purpose of developing the distance learning education and the hopes has not formed a consensus, which leads to very often difficult to form in the actual work force.
Distance Learning is a system of pondering in which lessons are announced or classes are executed by correspondence or over the internet. Distance learning has become very popular for older adults who wish to go back to school and complete their education or increase their education, but it can be beneficial to many students. Online learning allows flexibility which gives you the opportunity to continue your daily routine or commitments. Many courses can be completed in a shorter amount of time, and you do not have to stay on campus or commute daily with online courses. It is a great way to obtain a higher education.