Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Ever Confusing World of Terminology
There are a great many terms in use to describe distance education and its components and the list appears to be growing. It is important, therefore to understand the user’s meaning when encountering distance education terms (Moore & Kearsley, 2005, p. 3). I actually do not have a preference concerning which term best describes distance education. Prior to researching the MDE program, when I heard the term “distance education” I thought about correspondence courses. When I heard the term “online education” or some variation of the term “online” as it pertains to learning, I thought of course offerings from an Academic institution. I realize now, that these thoughts were spur-of-the-moment interpretation with no deep evaluations involved. The solution I intend to practice for the terminology dilemma is to follow Moore & Kearsley’s recommendation.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Introduction
I now know that contrary to my initial beliefs and somewhat limited way of thinking, distance education has been around for a very long time. Holmberg (2005, p. 13) brought out a very interesting idea on how, during New Testament times, disciples used the form of letters to teach their followers about Jesus Christ’s teachings. I found this to be quite intriguing. What a novel perspective for the evolution of distance education.
Although it is still early in the course, I now have a different point of view for the concept of what distance education really entails. It is not simply teachers training students that are physically separated from one another. There is so much more involved with the characteristics of distance education. For example, according to Moore & Kearsley (2005, p. 2) in order for learning to be truly considered distance education, it must be planned. To me this means that there must be a goal, objective and some method for evaluating whether the goal has been met. Another aspect of distance education is that there must also be some manner in which information is relayed between instructor and students. This is the point at which the word media starts to confuse me. The word media as I had understood it seems to mean something slightly different when referring to distance education. Whenever I heard the word media in the past, I thought of news reporters, CD, and some variation of technology. Based on what I have read, I think that media in terms of distance education is more of a technique by which communication is accomplished. According to Moore & Kearsley (2005, p. 6) distance education’s media involves some form of technology. Technology in the context of distance education is a word that I struggled with since when I visualize technology I think of automation. After reading the material however, I realize that term technology could not be limited to just automation, since there was really very little automation involved in the written word as was used back during the early 1700s when the first form of distance education was recognized (Holmberg, 2005, p.13). When I now think of the term technology as it relates to distance education, I substitute it with the word method. Some method (or several methods) must be used as a means of facilitating communication between students and teachers. This is a great lead in to my next topic which will be continued on my next posting.
Holmberg, B. (2005). The evolution, principles and practices of distance education. Oldenburg: BIS-Verlag der.
Moore, M. & Kearsley, G. (2005). Distance education: A systems view. Belmont, CA : Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Although it is still early in the course, I now have a different point of view for the concept of what distance education really entails. It is not simply teachers training students that are physically separated from one another. There is so much more involved with the characteristics of distance education. For example, according to Moore & Kearsley (2005, p. 2) in order for learning to be truly considered distance education, it must be planned. To me this means that there must be a goal, objective and some method for evaluating whether the goal has been met. Another aspect of distance education is that there must also be some manner in which information is relayed between instructor and students. This is the point at which the word media starts to confuse me. The word media as I had understood it seems to mean something slightly different when referring to distance education. Whenever I heard the word media in the past, I thought of news reporters, CD, and some variation of technology. Based on what I have read, I think that media in terms of distance education is more of a technique by which communication is accomplished. According to Moore & Kearsley (2005, p. 6) distance education’s media involves some form of technology. Technology in the context of distance education is a word that I struggled with since when I visualize technology I think of automation. After reading the material however, I realize that term technology could not be limited to just automation, since there was really very little automation involved in the written word as was used back during the early 1700s when the first form of distance education was recognized (Holmberg, 2005, p.13). When I now think of the term technology as it relates to distance education, I substitute it with the word method. Some method (or several methods) must be used as a means of facilitating communication between students and teachers. This is a great lead in to my next topic which will be continued on my next posting.
Holmberg, B. (2005). The evolution, principles and practices of distance education. Oldenburg: BIS-Verlag der.
Moore, M. & Kearsley, G. (2005). Distance education: A systems view. Belmont, CA : Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Welcome to My Blog
The purpose of this blog is to document my thoughts on the material covered during the OMDE603 Technology in Distance Education course which is part of my UMUC’s Master of Distance Education (MDE). I truly enjoy technology from a development, application, learning, and teaching perspective. My feelings are somewhat more reserve about the social side of technology which is why the idea of blogging has me a little apprehensive. I am sure; however, with a great deal of effort, and continual practice as a result of this class and the MDE program, I will eventually evolve in this arena and hopefully find enjoyment in the world of blogging as so many others seem to have found. With that introduction, I will now enter the world of blogging.
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