The Evolution of Distance Learning

Distance learning. What do you think of when you hear those two words? I first learned of distance education through television commercials. They were soliciting participation for correspondence schools where one could attend various classes through the mail. These were mostly certificate programs including paralegal studies and instruction on how to become a gunsmith. I actually requested more information from one school in Pennsylvania. Upon receipt of the information, I quickly lost interest due to the high cost, the feeling of isolationism, and the suspicion that this method of study would not be widely accepted or recognized.

Beginning in the mid 1980’s, I worked for a commercial airline as a flight attendant and my job required constant travel. This environment was not conducive for attending a traditional learning institution, yet I knew that in order for me to advance my station in life, I would need a formal education. Upon entering the age of technology with my first computer, I realized that a vast wealth of information was to be had and that this information could be accessed from virtually anywhere access to a dial-up connection could be obtained. I was on the verge of my own personal globalization (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2012).

The advances in technology have been astounding and with new technologies come new opportunities. With high speed wireless Internet and a plethora of social media sites to help us keep connected, more and more people have become comfortable with technology. While only a handful of institutions once offered online degrees, the paradigm has shifted and online education has gained widespread acceptance with the number of online students increasing dramatically over the last several years. More and more corporations are turning to computer based training and distance learning as the cost savings in training becomes more apparent (Moller, Foshay, Huett, 2008).

Just today I watched Bill Gates being interviewed on television. The reporter asked him where he believed instruction would be ten years from now. His answer was not surprising. He stated his belief that instruction was moving away from the large lecture classes conducted in traditional campus settings and that institutions would retain experts in each field and have them prerecord their lectures and lessons so that more students could benefit from their knowledge base regardless of their physical locale.

While there may be some concern that online coursework is perpetuating isolationism, technology is addressing this issue through interactive television courses, online chatting, and video conferencing.  As technology continues to improve, the circumference of the earth has seemingly shrunk. Distance learning has evolved from mail in coursework to real time learning at accredited institutions worldwide. Regardless of where you reside, learning can now take place in real time across the nation or across the globe.
It is this move away from traditional education that has me excited about continuing my online education so one day I can instruct others and help them learn as I have learned.
 
References
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.