Distance Learning

My personal definition of online learning is “ always growing.” What I mean by that is that from the time I graduated high school and college when I was a young person, I have been driven to continue to educate myself with what interests me. I have completed one Associates Degree and three Bachelor degrees as well as been certified in four areas of interest all in the traditional classroom. Since I have discovered online learning I have taken completed another Bachelors Degree and now my Masters Degree.
While online learning still carries a kind of negative conation to some in the business field I believe that this attitude is beginning to change for the better as more and more universities offer online education options.
I feel that online learning is the method whereby people who would not have attempted higher education due to the costs would be willing to pursue it. As time goes on and more and more online education becomes available the costs for it should become more reasonable.
Online learning is obviously not for the person who is not self motivated. In my experience comparing both traditional learning and online I found online learning far more challenging as the learning is placed more into the students hands with the professor playing the role of advisor and facilitator. Distance learning is not merely the transferring of the traditional classroom to the computer, it is, according to Gooden (2008) the flexibility where and when without the constraints of the traditional classroom.
In order for Distance learning to evolve we must be vigilant about how content is designed and delivered, as well as assessments, evaluations and performance expectations. Currently, distance learning is not an ideal medium for all learners. In order for it to become so we must considered these factors to make it more learner appropriate. I believe part of that would be to begin to train children early in learning on their own with a facilitator rather then relying on teachers telling them what to do. The traditional way children are taught must be evolved to more of a partnership methodology.
Resources
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher education). TechTrends, 52(4), 66–70.
Gooden, M. (2008) Distance Learning - What are the benefits of Distance Learning? Retrieved from: https://www.xing.com/net/fernstudium-infos/distance-learning-providers-and-services-305744/distance-learning-what-are-the-benefits-of-distance-learning-27366493/ on September 11, 2011.