Where is Distance Learning Headed?

I am new to the distance learning “scene” and heard numerous possibilities for what is available now and in the future. In a multimedia presentation “Future of Distance Education,” George Siemens gives reasons that distance education will grow:

-Increase in online communication
-Practical experience with new tools
-Growing comfort with online discourse
-Ability to communicate with diverse and global groups.

With “social networking” on the rise and the U.S. Postal Service facing changes to practices, Postal Service’s Jordan Small has said “even if the economy recovers, the trend would not reverse as Americans increasingly turn to e-mail, online shopping and online bill payments”, online activity is accessible and strongly utilized (McConnell, 2009).

The problem arises than will education take on the concerns of the negative aspects of distance education or will it allow continual growth and wait to see what future technology will be? Schmidt & Gallegos covered in their article that one of the most important issues that was spoken of “interaction with instructor” and then it was “interaction with classmates” (Schmidt & Gallegos, 2001). Gambescia & Paolucci speak in their study that they “found a surprising lack of high visibility of online degree program offerings on university official websites, opting to use either a secondary link or have readers use a search feature” (Gambescia & Paolucci, 2009). These are just a few of the concerns that have been covered in articles of distance learning.

Although I cannot say with certainty what path will be chosen, I know that my plan is to always keep the problems of socialization, instructor interaction, and finding ways to help those who believe they are not motivated enough to participate in distance learning. To accomplish this, with any career that a person chooses, I would keep current with all aspects of the instructional design community and technological advances. Showing this commitment not only provides a more profitable learning experience for the learner, but a more profitable experience for me.

References

Gambescia, S., & Paolucci, R. (2009). Academic fidelity and integrity as attributes of university online degree program offerings. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 12(1). Retrieved from http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring121/gambescia121.html

McConnell, D. (July 31, 2009). U.S. Postal Service weighs service cuts. Archived at CNN’s articles at http://articles.cnn.com/2009-07-31/us/postal.cuts_1_postal-service-first-class-mail-post-offices?_s=PM:US

Schmidt, E., & Gallegos, A. (2001). Distance learning: Issues and concerns of distance learners. Journal of Industrial Technology, 17(3). Retrieved from http://atmae.org/jit/Articles/schmidt041801.pdf