Distance learning is something I never imagined myself participating in, yet here I am learning and even creating distance learning courses. I remember the excitement when my parents purchased our first television set back in the late sixties and we spent hours gazing at the black and white images on the screen. Today my eleven year old plays virtual games, chats with friends on Facebook and enjoys ‘visiting’ family overseas via Skype.
Like technology, distance learning is not only increasing in popularity, but is becoming more common place as the choice of training for many organizations around the world.
Siemens (n.d.) noted there is a growing shift towards online learning within the business world, government and universities. Why send employees off site to attend face to face training sessions when time and money could easily be saved by training online. Distance education allows remote offices within the same organization to attend simultaneous training without ever jumping on a plane.
Over the last few years, there has been a growing acceptance of distance education (Siemens, n.d.). This has been fuelled by more practical experience with new tools, an increase in online communication and the ability to communicate with diverse and global groups (Siemens, n.d.). Just as technology is ‘shrinking’ the world into the palm of our hand, distance learning may even replace all traditional learning by the time my daughter’s children are ready to learn.
As an instructional designer my focus is to ensure the learner is comfortable with learning, whatever the platform (Siemens, n.d.). I have a responsibility to design and create a “classroom culture that promotes shared learning experiences and teamwork” (Simonson et al, 2009, p.165). As an ambassador for distance education I believe anyone can learn online. Independent learners may thrive but so will others given I can incorporate activities that allow for collaborative learning. It is critical to remember that perception and attitude are critical to motivation and learning (Smart & Cappel, 2006).
My focus is to improve distance learning so participants will change their ‘perception and attitude’ from negative into positive and embrace online learning regardless of their age.
I work as a Paramedic Educator where negativity and ignorance towards distance learning thrives in the minds of many paramedics. My expanding experience as an instructional designer will allow me to work with them to create online programs that capture what they perceive as difficult and flip it into achievable. I can lead by example given I was once a ‘negative and ignorant’ street paramedic when it came to distance learning.
References
Siemens, G. (n.d.) Video Program: "The Future of Distance Education" Lecture presented for Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved August 20, 2011, from: http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5364557&Survey=1&47=7867857&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston , MA
Smart, K.L. & Cappel, J., J. (2006). Student’s Perception of Online Learning: A Comparative Study. Retrieved August 20, 2011 from:
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