Distance Learning Definition and Vision

Education today is changing based on the technological advances. I have been involved in the public educational profession as either an instructor or administrator for 14 years. In that time there have been changes in the way educators teach and how that material is given to students. Educators that have been around a long time sometimes don't always jump on the new fad in the belief that this will too change. However, technology is here to stay and if the public educational system does not embrace it, it too will be left behind. Which brings me to the need for distance learning in public education today, public schools need to take the steps required to bring distance education to their schools and available to their students.

I took my masters five years ago through Duquesne University in a blended format. I took classes online and collaborated with my classmates and spent several weeks on campus in the summer completing coursework face-to-face with my colleagues and instructors. I enjoyed working with students from various areas to collaborate and share ideas. In my job as a teacher I knew we had students taking language courses by “beaming” in the teacher to our high schools across the county at a specific time. So distance education has meant what it still currently means to me today. It is providing education through the means of technology. On the other hand, I now have a better respect for what it can do.

Today I have a new respect and acceptance for distance learning. This year I have taken a new position as the Principal in charge of all online education for our school district. This encompasses all of our cyber students. I know see the true importance of the quality of an online education. It can provide remediation for all of our credit recovery students and yet provide enrichment for our gifted. I have worked hard with students who are not motivated to be independent online learners, eventually requiring that they return to the regular classroom so as not to get further behind in their credits and studies. The online learner has to consistently be monitored and evaluated on their progress and attendance since the public school system still abides by state truancy laws. It is hard to find the perfect balance because each student is different and has different needs and circumstances around why they have chosen a virtual environment for learning. But distance learning provides the benefits of being available at anytime and anywhere. I have worked with teachers to show them the value of some resources online and the ability to access courses for their students to enhance their classroom experience. There is a great value in distance education but there needs to be acceptance of this value for public teachers of today to embrace it and not be threatened by it.

The future of distance learning weighs heavily on my mind since I have been trying to find a better way for our district to run it. In the past, we outsourced all of our distance learning for our cyber students. Also, we have lost many students to outside cyber charter schools. It is hard to compete with the marketing budget these entities have. The way to compete for us is to provide a better, quality education to all students. So next year our district will be looking to use our own teachers to back courses that have been aligned to our district and state standards. I believe this will allow us to keep a better connection with students and keep them involved in all elements of the school environment including field trips, sports, and daily interaction with a teacher. Also, as stated in The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web Part 3 K-12, “Teachers benefit by having potentially greater contact with students who are not normally communicative in a face-to-face classroom.” (Huett, Moller, Foshay, & Coleman, 2008). There are many benefits in distance education and this is just the first step to reach our students who are not in the brick and mortar school environment.

Distance learning provides opportunities for educational growth in many formats. I have explored the ideas within K-12 education already as well of the university setting within my own personal experience. Distance learning is also a benefit to many work environments. It can provide job and skill training to make sure employees have the knowledge required to remain safe and productive in their jobs. Also, distance learning provides the ability for conferences and for people to collaborate and network. Another benefit is that it is cost effective, since the other type of training is more expensive and involved to get to employees (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008). Regardless distance learning will continue to evolve for the world and those in it, either be part of it or be left behind.

References:
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. R., & Coleman, C. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Part 3: K-12. Techtrends: Linking Research And Practice To Improve Learning, 52(5), 63-67.
Huett, J., Moller, L., & Foshay, W. R. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Part 1: Training and Development. Techtrends: Linking Research And Practice To Improve Learning, 52(5), 71.