Defining Distance Learning

Distance learning has evolved, changed, and adapted to the growing times. Learning outside the traditional classroom and advances in technology have driven an increased desire for learners to be able to further their education and training through 21st century means. Ask two people how they define distance learning and you will get two different answers. Distance learning comes in many shapes and sizes, and is subjective based on the profession, experience, and technological resources.

(Google images, 2013)

Always Changing:

Trends in distance learning are always changing just like the traditional classroom. These changes can stem from several different contributing factors. One is simple advancements in technology. New software or cloud environments can be adapted to an organization's processes in order to stay competitive with other organizations in their field. Change can also be based on learning theories. New studies are always coming out on the best way people gain new knowledge. These studies are many times linked to prior knowledge and experience (Foley, 2004). This would also cause those studies of what is best to vary based on profession and experience. Additionally, education evolves along with its environment and available resources. The resources that are affordable to the organization will have to be utilized before money is spent for new trends. Each organization's economic health will be different and therefore their resources to support learning, especially learning at a distance will be dependent on those resources they can afford.

Looking at the Google image above representing 21st century learning, you can see, many factors contribute to the learning environment. In my personal experience, distance learning has evolved in many ways. When I attended undergraduate school, the concept of learning outside of the traditional classroom was not even thought about. Just to take an assessment on a computer, a learner would have to go to a computer lab. Since the early 90's, the evolution of computers alone has impacted the educational environment. All students are expected to have a laptop of their own in college. In the district I work for, we have had a 1:1 initiative since 2000 for all secondary students. It is not an IF anymore but a Must for success.

Colleges, universities, and some high schools are requiring students to take at least one online course prior to graduation. This is to provide the learner with an opportunity to experience real world situations utilizing 21st century skills needed to make it in the workforce. The workplace has evolved. Distance learning has exploded in higher education, training and development and K12 education. We are in a day of webinars and self-paced training modules to train and develop employees in a timely and efficient manner. Motivated by economics and access to new knowledge, distance learning enables the working adult to transfer knowledge in a social learning environment and bring to the organization new and innovative ideas, to bring the organization to the next level (Foshay, 2008).

Future Vision:

Distance learning opportunities are going to continue to evolve and grow in the future. With many parents choosing homeschool and private online curriculum to meet their child's academic needs, it is only smart for local school districts to begin creating online courses to support this population in their towns. Additionally, those students in high school are going to need the experience of utilizing 21st century skills, self-motivation, and time management to complete distance courses to prepare for the future. In the workforce, advancement is no longer based on how long you have been in a position anymore, it is based on growth and learning by the individual and what that can provide to the organization. Life-long learning is front and center. Personal reflection opportunities that are incorporated in distance learning, bring learning to a level of application and action.

Resources:

Foley, G. (2004). Understanding Adult Learners. In Dimensions of adult learning: Adult education and training in a global era (pp. 55-73). McGraw-Hill Education.
Foshay, M. &. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and development). Tech Trends, 70-75.
Simonson, S. A. (2012). Teaching and Learning at a Distance. New York: Pearson.