While reading the resources this week I understand how Distance Education is continuing to evolve and becoming more of an accepted method for teaching and learning. Dr. Siemens mentioned the combining of Universities, governments and corporations fostering the use of Distance Education. Distance Education facilitates collaboration and learning without the obstacles of geographic barriers and encourages the dialogue of a diverse group of individuals. The use of various multimedia tools enable the instructional designers to incorporate researched based methodology used in face to face classrooms into an online format.
Some tools used for collaboration interaction are e-mail, computer conferences and shared document capabilities (Clark 2008). As electronic technology evolve, the many tools utilized to assist collaboration in an online format will increase. The many modes of communication will continue the evolution of Distance Educaton. Web-based media used to deliver course content can effect whether the students actually learn the content (Thurmond & Wambach 2004). The instructor will determine what tools will be used to deliver the content.
References
Clark, J. (2008). Collaboration Tools in Online Learning Environments; Sloan-C retrieved from; http://www.aln.org/publications/magazine/v4n1/clark.asp
Siemens G. (2008) Laureate Education video presentation
Thurmond, V., Wambach, K (2004). Understanding Interaction in Distance Education; International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning; retrieved from; http://itdl.org/journal/jan_04/article02.htm
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Great Post Henry,
ReplyDeleteHere is a video that hints at collaboration you might like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o
Collaboration has come a long way. Take a look at how these student use google docs as a collaborative tool.
George
Henry:
ReplyDeleteI found another informative article on collaboration in education as it relates to research. It shows how Web 2.0 is transforming the way research is conducted.
https://www.myciscocommunity.com/community/industry/education/blog/2009/04/13/collaboration-and-the-implications-for-the-future-of-research
Arlene
Henry:
ReplyDeleteOnline collaboration definitely breaks the geographical barriers that could be in place for a traditional setting. People are less judged because you can't see them so you see their work ethic instead.