Before taking this class my “definition” for distance learning was a person taking a class via a computer and web cam.  Now that I have taken a few classes for this degree program and the readings for this class in particular, my definition for distance learning needs to be altered a bit.  Distance learning does happen via a computer and many times a web cam but there are other considerations as well.  I never considered the synchronous and asynchronous variations of study and although I had heard of correspondence courses I never considered this as a form of distance learning.  In hindsight it makes sense and only now after reading about this form of distance education do I realize that this is a form of distance learning.  One of the definitions referred to in the text is the term open learning and focuses on individual requirements and the learning outside of traditional classes in a brick and mortar building.  (Simonson et. al., 2012)  I prefer the term open learning to distance learning because it lends itself to many variations of learning.

Distance learning is always changing because human beings are always changing.  Humans have active brains that are constantly inventing new things whether developing new physical objects or new theories.  It is because of this creativity that the definition and direction of distance learning will be continually changing.  Humans continually evolve and as they evolve so does the world around them evolve.  Same can be said for every living thing on the planet.

Change cannot be pinpointed to a specific thing like a person’s profession or the technical knowledge the person has acquired.  Many would like to think that these are the factors for change in a person but it really has to do with the total environment of the person.  Anyone can change in any direction if they so choose and if they have a desire that drives them enough to carry through with the change. 

Take for example the story of Michael Oher.  Michael was a child from the projects who ended up becoming an All American football player.  This change for Michael happened not only because of a lucky encounter with a well-to-do family but also because he worked hard to pull his grades up in school so he could participate in football. (Hancock, 2006)

Another example would be me; I went to a traditional school and attended all the classes set for a young woman in the 70’s.  I attended university initially for a degree in computer science and realized that was not for me so I changed to a degree in communications.  After graduation instead of acquiring a position in the communications field I found myself in a position as a computer programmer.  Did this type of work for a long period of time but then realized that I have many more talents and would like to explore other avenues.  I quit my position as a programmer/systems analyst and took a position as a Client Service Associate with an investment banking firm.  This position was totally different than any position I have ever had in the past – something to which I would need to adjust. This change happened because of an internal need of my own and had nothing to do with my profession or technical knowledge.  I had a desire and chose to follow that desire instead of letting it die inside of me.

As for the future of distance learning – I honestly do not know.  The world and technology is changing so fast that it is hard to put a finger on the direction for the future.  It makes me think of the days of the Beta/VHS tape machines for recording.  The Beta tape machines were far superior to the VHS machines however since the marketing for the VHS machines were superior these machines were the ones to win out over the Beta machines.  Then there were the mini-disks; they were created and marketed for a brief period but the mini-disks never really lasted.  Who is to say what the next big break in technology will be and will stay around long enough to make a difference.  The best we can do as Instructional Designers is to stay flexible with the technologies and keep focused on what matters.  What matters is the education of the masses and the delivery of that educational material.

Reference

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