The Future of Distance Education

Perceptions of Distance Learning

Distance learning in some aspect has been around for many years. Prior to the recent explosion of the online college degrees, most distance learning was completed via snail mail. Learning in that capacity was limited at best. Education in the distance learning format has come a long way since then; it is now delivered online with many varied and different tools available.

The trouble is, many people have not changed their view of distance learning to line up with its current activities.  In today’s distance education classes are taught either synchronous or asynchronous using a wide variety of web 2.0 tools. These classes are also taught by degreed professional professors who are well versed in the subjects they teach. Online education is here to stay, and is well on its way to being acknowledged as the complete well-rounded education it is now.

Instructional Designer as a Proponent of Distance Education

In today’s society, it is my belief that an Instructional Designer must be a proponent of Distance Education. The days of all valid education being completed in a brick and mortar building are behind us. The future is definitely in online education. So, if an instructional designer wishes to stay current, and on top of things in their field, they must wholly support distance education.  One of the most valid ways to show the support of distance education is to walk it out and encourage it in the programs you design.

A Positive Force for Continuous Improvement

The manner in which distance education has changed just in recent years is amazing. Courses that just a few years ago were at that time, the top of the line, are now considered obsolete and in need of improvement.  A good visual for the ever changing field of distance education today is the cell phone. Think for a moment about your cell phone. What you have now, is so much more complex in ability and sleeker in design than what you had even just three years ago. And what you have today is already on the verge of being known as old. The world of cell phones is ever changing, morphing and improving. Such is the way of distance education now! As an instructional designer we must be aware of the way we can continuously improve on what we are doing and keep bringing the newest and latest technology into use with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Siemens, G. (2010). The future of distance education. Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). Video.

 

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