My Distance Learning Definition

The following blog post answers questions about the definition of distance learning, and why I feel that the definition will always be changing.  Defining distance learning reminds me a bit of a game I played as a child.  One child would have a message to read to the next one, and the message would be passed around the room verbally.  By the time the message was given to the group by the last child, it was changed from the original.  Each child would relay what they had heard, or their interpretation of what they thought they heard.  My personal definition of distance learning might have several of the same components of those visiting my site, but will most likely differ in some ways.

As I went through the primary grades and early years of college, distance learning was carrying stacks of books home nightly to work on homework, usually without any help since both parents worked.  They might proof read papers, or tell me to use the dictionary.  I was pretty much on my own as far as being self-taught at home, and would bring questions to the teacher the next day, hoping to have them answered.  Maybe this is stretching what distance learning is to you, but it is what distance learning is to me, or how it has evolved for me, and helped develop my skills as an independent learner.  Other ways I used independent learning was by purchasing books that further explained subjects, such as Calculus, or hobbies that I wanted to learn, such as drawing.  This contributed to my distance learning before the computer and internet changed almost everything for the way I learned.

This is my definition of distance learning prior to starting the course based on the above statements.

Distance learning may or may not be led by an instructor who can be contacted for assistance.  It is self motivated learning that requires the learner to take the initiative to do what is necessary to gain the knowledge that they seek.  Learning can be accomplished through a variety of methods including:  reading a book, attending webinars, purchasing a course online with no structure, enrolling in an online course that has structure, watching television, listening to pod casts, or viewing videos.

According to Terry Anderson’s introduction to his book, Theory and Practice of Online Learning, the practice of distance learning has been evolving for 150 years (p. 2).  Other sources have it going back to the 1800’s with early correspondence courses (Laureate, [Multimedia],  n.d.).  It seems that my original definition fits somewhere within the range of the last of the 20^th century and the beginning of  21^st  (Anderson, 2008).  

A question I have is if the terms Distance Learning and  Distance Education should be thought of as the same?  In forming my new definition this is an area of consideration.  The term, Distance Education, appears to be more formal and include directed learning from an institution that is led by an instructor.  My opinion is based on several criteria and definitions listed in the book Teaching and Learning at a Distance Foundations of Distance Education that mention that instruction is led by an instructor who is not face to face with the students.

Dr. Simonson states in the video that the last decade, since the internet use has grown that Distance Education has been increasing (Laureate, [Video], n.d.).  His definition of  Distance Education includes both distance teaching and distance learning and also includes that it is formal education where the teachers, students, and resources might be separated by location and time zones (Laureate, [Video], n.d.).  Distance Education also must include a criteria for evaluation of the learner (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008).  It can not solely be based on an instructor giving assignments, and the students completing them (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008).  Learning has to be evaluated to both prove the effectiveness of the course instruction, and  the students' mastery of the material (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008).  

My new definition of distance education follows.

Distance education includes both a teacher and learners in a structured course  that is part of an educational setting, such as a school, college, or university.  Students, instructors, and resources can be separated by distances and time zones, without the necessity of face-to-face interaction.  However, students and teachers must have access to viable means for communicating during the course term. Students should also be able to interact with other students taking the same course at simultaneously to learn from each other, as well as the experiences of the instructor. Course materials should include assessment criteria to evaluate the learners' progress.

Throughout this week, I have seen distance learning evolve from correspondence courses starting in the 1800’s, to the use of technology through telephones, radio, and television, up to present times with mobile technology using cellular phones, and portable tablets with internet access (Laureate, [Multimedia],  n.d.).  I foresee that distance education will continue to improve as it becomes more acceptable by educational institutions that are well recognized, and more and more students see the advantages of this style of learning.  With mobile devices, the content management systems are going to have to become more user friendly with a variety of operating systems for the expansion to continue smoothly.  This will open up the field for those offering programming and support for the systems, and institutions using them.  The future looks great.

References

Anderson, T. (2008).  The theory and practice of online learning.  Second edition.  Edmonton, AB T5J 3S8: AU Press, Athabasca University.  Retrieved from  http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/99Z_Anderson_2008-Theory_and_Practice_of_Online_Learning.pdf

Laureate Education, Inc. (n.d.).  Distance learning timeline continuum.  [Multimedia Program].  Retrieved from https://class.walden.edu

Laureate Education, Inc (Producer).  (n.d.). Distance education:  The next generation [Video file].  Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008).  The evolution of distance learning:  Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1:  Training and development).  Tech Trends, 52(3), 70-75.  Retrieved from http://content.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., &  Zvacek, S. (2012).  Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

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Mind Map For Distance Learning Definition

The following is the start of my mind map for my distance learning definition.
Distance Learning Definition on MindMup


If you would like to view this as an image here is the link.  The image should only be available until May 2, 2015 though.