Module 1: The Next Generation of Distance Education

In my Principles of Distance Education course we have the opportunity to blog and reflect on our experiences within the class and the topic of the current module every two weeks. This week’s topic is the Next Generation of Distance Learning. My objective for this week is to compare and contrast the reasons the authors believe there is a need to evolve distance education to the next generation.

I read a three-part article by Coleman, Foshay, Huett, and Moller entitled "The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web". I found these articles particularly interesting because I am an Instructional Designer and am always attempting to acquire as much knowledge as possible.

In part one of the article, the primary focus is Training and Development. The authors put a lot of emphasis on the importance of having a highly skilled instructional designer to design quality education in the e-learning environment. The authors state that “the challenge for ID professionals is not only to evolve the field, but also to assure that the products of sound professional design practice lead the e-learning enterprise". (Moller et al., 2008).

In part two of the article, higher education is the focal point. The authors discuss how education has evolved and the overall need for distance education has become greater by the year. The authors state "Distance learning is rapidly becoming a popular choice for continuing professional education, mid-career degree programs, and lifelong learning of all kinds". (Moller et al., 2008). This article further showcases the importance of the instructional designer but also discusses how often ID's tend to violate the basics principles that we have been taught.

Part three of the article focuses on the k-12 environment within distance education. The instructional designer’s role is highly discussed in this capacity as well.

As an instructional designer, I can relate to all of the statements within the article. I have been given the opportunity to design effective instruction in the past and have seen process first hand. It’s unfortunate to see a botched up level of design with poor quality. In the end the learner suffers because of it.  There is a high need to evolve distance education for the next generation and based on the authors review, the highly skilled instructional designer is the perfect person to do the job. I guess the question remains though....Will more qualified and educated designers continue to enter the field to meet the ever-growing demand ?

Resources:

Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W. R., & Coleman, C. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 52(5), 63-67. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0199-9

Moller, L., Foshay, W. R., & Huett, J. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 52(4), 66-70. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0179-0

Moller, L., Foshay, W. R., & Huett, J. (2008). The Evolution of Distance Education: Implications for Instructional Design on the Potential of the Web. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 52(3), 70-75. doi:10.1007/s11528-008-0158-5