This post is directed to distance learning and how it is happening every day all around us but perhaps it is going unnoticed.  In this post we will discuss how to incorporate techniques for distance learning into the training being devised for a new automated staff information system being implemented by an organization.  The staff is located in different offices throughout the country and they cannot meet at the same time or location. 

My first inclination was to offer what is referred to as a live meeting.  There are several different live meeting software packages available however I like Microsoft’s Live Meeting.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oSbxAURjWs&feature=player_embedded) The live meeting could be recorded and made available to all staff personnel to replay when they are free.  After the meeting is held the recording would be placed in another application where files may be shared between groups of people.  Another option is to utilize an application called Brainshark to create a recorded training session. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainshark )  The difference between the Brainshark and the Live Meeting is there are no people interacting in the meeting so you do not have the advantage to see facial expressions or hear questions posed by the listeners.  The recorded training would be placed in a location so everyone could access it when they had time.

There are two options for the shared area – Microsoft’s OneNote application (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f85IyulX0TI&noredirect=1) and/or on the contact management system (CMS) being utilized by the organization at the time.  Utilizing one of these applications will not only allow the live meeting recording to be shared but the staff members could utilize the space to share information, screen captures and documents as requested.  My preference would be to the CMS area only because there are many options within this package to be utilized by the organization.  Why not use a package with more abilities, unless there is a budgetary issue and the CMS software is just too expensive. 

To create those screen shots there are a couple of options as well.  Microsoft has this new tool in their Windows 7 operating system called Snipping Tool. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR_cq21c0T4) This tool is used to capture whatever part of the screen the user wants and then place that picture into whatever location needed to share.  The other option has several steps that are manual and you may not ever retrieve all the information you need but you also may have no choice if using something other than Windows 7 operating system.  To do a screen shot the steps are:

1.       Depressing the CTRL and the PRTSCR button

2.       Open Word, PowerPoint, or an e-mail

3.       Use the Edit menu and paste the information into the document or use CTRL-V

4.       Save to document

5.       Attach the document to an e-mail

6.       Send it to the recipient and how they are not on vacation

The obvious answer is to use the snipping tool so everyone upgrade to Windows 7!

An example of CMS software is a package I have recently found called CourseSites. (https://www.coursesites.com/webapps/Bb-sites-course-creation-BBLEARN/pages/index.html)  This site is used for classes primarily; however it is a great location in which to share information with others in a particular group.  The site is free as well so it is something that can be reviewed for some time instead of making a hasty decision on software that the organization has not had time to thoroughly review.

It is important that the staff in the organization can keep constantly informed and the use of a CMS system helps by having a venue by which all the staff can place and retrieve information promptly. (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012)  If the proper CMS software was chosen for the organization it can also be of great service to help keep the requirements for the training (as well as future trainings) organization and easily accessed from any location. (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012)

My last comment is to make note of a site which supplies all kinds of information with regards to distance learning.  It is not the prettiest site but the content is quite extensive. (http://performancepyramid.muohio.edu/Distance-Learning/Examples.html)  Take some time to review this information – it deals mostly with school situations, however if you select the link toward the lower left side labeled, “Technology-in-the-Classroom” you will be overwhelmed with the information supplied. (http://performancepyramid.muohio.edu/Technology-in-the-Classroom.html)

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

Back to the Blogs

Hello everyone,

Well it looks like it is time to get back to blogging.  I work so much with computers that in my free time I tend to not do anything with the computer.  This is why I do not update my blog too often.  Now it is time for blogging for my new class that just started - the class is Distance Learning - this should be interesting!!!!

Helene