Distance learning has been in existence since time immemorial. Reflecting on the history of distance learning, there is a growing pattern that I believe will persist. George Siemens (2010) asserted that the growing of distance learning was due to the fact that more and more people are having experiences communicating online. As many people are familiarizing themselves with web 2.0 tools, I believe in 5-10 years, their primary perception of learning will be the distance learning settings. In addition, there will be an increase student enrolment in online learning environments within this time frame. As a result, more and more Colleges and universities will be converting their face-to-face courses into the distance learning format. Further, in the next 10-20 years, I suppose the tradition of distance learning, which is evolving will continue to grow. There will be more sophisticated technology tools that will make online learning a lot easier than before. I believe there will be exciting innovations in technology tools that will promote faster and copious online experiences to the learners in the future. Students’ life will be invigorating and empowering as they are competent using these tools. Therefore, anyone in this time frame who do not have the basic knowledge of distance learning will be no where to be found, as job opportunities will open to people who are conversant and competent with distance learning experiences. Job markets will focus more on skilled technology savvy; hence instructional designers such as me will be ready to display their innovative ideas and creativity.
As an instructional designer, I can be a proponent for improving societal perceptions of distance learning through impacting the knowledge gained at Walden to the society. I will advocate distance learning to people I will come into contact with either synchronously or asynchronously. Additionally, I will reach out to my community for volunteering work, as well as organizing activities that will raise societal perception of distance learning and its effectiveness. Some of these community and church activities include women’s night, anniversaries, birthday parties, baby-showers etc. During these parties, I will demonstrate the use of a technology tool that is appropriate for the occasion to the people. Also, I will organize games and activities that encourage distance learning experiences. As an educator, I will introduce different learning and assessment technology tools to my colleagues as well as incorporate the appropriate ones into my lessons. Further, I plan to raise people’s perception of distance learning in Ghana by designing programs, movies, and activities promote distance learning experiences. Finally, I believe the above activities and programs will reinforce my proponent for improving societal perception of distance learning.
In order to be a positive force for continuous improvement in the field of distance education, I need to be abreast with time, constantly using professional literature and resources to affluent my skills. I will also become a member of instructional designers’ organizations where my skills and innovative ideas will come to life. This organization will be my community of practice as I will be well informed with news and development in this field. Additionally, I will collaborate with other instructional designers both synchronously and asynchronously to develop community of practice. I believe every moment count in this lifelong learning experiences therefore, I will not leave any stone unturned; I will seize every opportunity and use every scenario for improving distance learning. I will always strive to find a better and easy way to make distance learning passionate to the heart of the learners. I will continue using the ADDIE process, the foundation of designing distance learning to meet the learners’ needs. Instructional designers should consider the use of ADDIE or another instructional design process to understand the needs of the learners and to design a course that meets those needs (Piskurich & Chauser, 2010).
In conclusion, distance learning has evolved through the years and it is growing acceptance in society as a whole. According to Siements (2010), more and more people are communicating using social networking tools such as Facebook. There is also a rising trend in enrollment and in the percentage of people who believe online courses offer a superior learning experience (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009). However, there are others who are still skeptic of distance learning and need to be exposed to the experiences and effectiveness of distance learning. Hence, as instructional designer, there is the need to be advocate of distance learning to the immediate society and globally as well. Our world is diverse and technology is growing therefore, there is the need to make experiences and effectiveness of distance learning known to all.
References
Piskurich, G., & Chauser, J. (2010), Video Podcast: Planning and designing online courses. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn CourseID=4744647&Survey=1&47=6523831&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1
Siements, G. (2010), Video Podcast: The Future of Distance Education. Laureate Education, Inc. Retrieved fromhttp://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn CourseID=4744647&Survey=1&47=6674137&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1&BrswrOK=1&PrevRef=http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn%3FCourseID%3D4744647%26Survey%3D1%2647%3D6674137%26ClientNodeID%3D984650%26coursenav%3D1&submit1=Continue
