Module 2

Blog-Module 2
With change happening every day, the technological means, in all areas, for society had to jump on the band wagon and come up with intriguing innovative tools. With discrimination barriers no longer existing, technology components integrated in social areas of the workplace, school, and in everyday life (communication). Technologies provided accommodations and modifications to these three areas. Business offered training skills, educational institutions offered online classes to meet the demands of the working class, and social websites allowed people to connect to family and friends around the world. Technology has advanced at such a rapid rate that a person could be on a business trip in Italy and attend a board meeting back in Austin, Texas via satellite or phone without any hassles.

The internet offers all kinds of technology tools to help any individual in any area or aspect that they may need additional help or for leisure purposes. Today, an individual have the same opportunity as anyone else to surf the internet; whereas when the internet first came out, only the individuals that were able to afford the internet used its components. The internet benefits range from: communication techniques (social websites & instant messaging), educational links (edhelper.com, encyclopedia, & search engines), health information (any health topic or issues), and basically anything you can think of. Dr. Siemens states that individuals need to gain practical experience with new tools and society is taking him up on that challenge. Lastly, the internet has paved the way for education to be taught online and meet the needs for individuals who have barriers that might affect them in any particular way. Distance education serves the needs of not only the traditional-age college student, but also the most rapidly growing segment of the population, adult learners over the age of 35 years who have full-time jobs, families, and limited discretionary time (Johnson, 2006).

The blogs sites that include the diversity of distance education are the following:
On Open, distance, e-learning and other name confusion January 15, 2009 by Terry Anderson at
http://terrya.edublogs.org/2009/01/15/on-open-distance-e-learning-and-other-name-confusion/
and The Evolution of Distance Learning in Higher Education by: Judith L. Johnson at http://distance-edu.blogspot.com/.

Sources:

Anderson, T. (2009). On open, distance, e-learning and other name confusion. Retrieved on September
27, 2009 from http://terrya.edublogs.org/2009/01/15/on-open-distance-e-learning-and-other-
name-confusion/

Johnson, J. L. (2006). The evolution of distance learning in higher education. Retrieved on September
27, 2009 from http://distance-edu.blogspot.com/.

Siemens, G. (n.d). The future of distance education. Retrieved September 23, 2009 from
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3649021&Survey=1&47=5797856&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1 from the EDUC-7102-2 Principles of Distance Education Web site.

EDUC 7102-Module 1

Coleman, Foshay, Huett, Moller, and Simonson feel that distance education needs to evolve because it will better suit educators and students, by challenging the students academically at different aspects. All the authors see the pros and cons of distance education, but they place the burden on society to help sale this idea and nip any problems. It is incumbent upon all professionals with a commitment to the potential of technology and training, no matter what their theoretical or ideological bent, to think outside the box, to collaborate and to advance the common vision (Coleman, Foshay, Huett, & Moller, 2008).

I agree with the authors on the grounds of society is so uneasy when it comes to change. Distance education and its technology can present educational advantages of offering classes under difficult circumstances and can help the economic crisis in America (more students and not enough classrooms). My biggest concern is that this wonderful opportunity will get abused by becoming a dumping ground for special education students, overaged students, and behavior problems.

Sources:

Coleman, C., Forshay, W.R., Huett, J., Moller, L. (2008). The evolution of distance education:
implications for instructional design on the potential of the web. TechTrends, 52(5), 63-67.
Retrieved from Walden Library Search database of Academic Search Premier, (AN) 34729472.

Something New

This is something very new to me. I heard about blogging but was not interested in it. With the help of my new class, this is going to be very interesting to me. Please help me!!! LOL LOL hope you enjoy this process with me.


Nikisha