Elements of Distance Education Diffusion
George Seimens speaks of "global diversity as a common trend within distance education" while discussing the evolution of online education, (Siemens, G. 2010). This is evident. The assignment is to respond to two elements:
· How has this element evolved"
· What online tools are available today to facilitate these interactions among learners?
Global diversity within distance education has had a parallel evolution to the internet itself. Indeed, the internet has evolved directly with the extension of the telephone system across the planet using communication satellites that provide a more efficient method to reach terminals abroad. These technological improvements, together with innovative electronic data manipulative systems have given rise to a highly effective global communication system. From text messaging within university systems here in the US, that serviced students at home responding to lesson assignments, to a fully global network of synchronous and non-synchronous programs, the scope, facility, and complexity that provides effective and well designed courses at a very high and unique level of convenience.
Today we have video tools (Siemens, G. 2010) as well as text and audio tools with which to reach diverse global populations. In addition, we have the non-synchronous aspect of message boards as well as the various other messaging options available to internet users. We also have developing theories like "Equivalency Theory" (Simonson, M., 2010) that assist toward formats that are uniquely designed for online distance education.
An important aspect of the facilitation of global diversity that should not be minimized is that there is no cost penalty for longer distance communications within today's internet structure. It would not be totally surprising, given the current ethics of online business practices, to see this change, but the driving force for global interaction will probably prove strong enough to continue to suppress any unethical motives, at least for the near future.
Siemens, G. (2010) ) Vodcast: Equivalency Theory. Retrieved from EDUC 7102, Walden University Webpage.
Simonson, M. (2010) Vodcast: Equivalency Theory. Retrieved from EDUC 7102, Walden University Webpage.
For Module 2, I responded to the following 2 blogs:
Christine Rand: http://walden-crand.blogspot.com/2010/06/module-2_29.html
Richard Wasserman: http://principlesofdistanceeducationwaldenu.blogspot.com/2010/06/module-2.html
About Me
- Bill Goldstein
- I'm a high school chemistry teacher from Philadelphia who's just relocated to Vermont. I'm working on a Ph. D. in Educational Technology which I hope to be able to apply in helping students learn science more effectively.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteWhat is Global Diversity and how has it evolved with the presence of online communication? I understand there are tools, and a communication network, but how has this aided Global Diversity. For example Walden has students all over the world who fly in for residencies, communicate asynchronously and synchronously through the communication network you speak of, access tools, etc. But the diversity is in the global portion, the fact people interact with information, cultural differences and thought processes and education are different globally. Online communication can help embrace diversity of the differences to produce better tools, economies of scale, products, sales, education, etc. So, ethics aside, to me this is global diversity, and the evolution at a glance.
Bradley
Bill,
ReplyDeleteDo you think that distance education as it is right now, fully takes advantage of “global diversity”? Is it enough to say “we have students from all over the world in our classes”? How is distance education enhanced by global diversity?
I guess what I am driving at is that in undergrad (I did that in the traditional brick and mortar setting) I actually lived in the International Dorm (just lucked out-was dating the Resident Director at the time) and the EXPERIENCES I got from living with and having in class, students from around the world was incredible. Everything from their personal view points and how they arrived at them (culture, tradition etc.) really opened my eyes to WHY someone’s opinion may be vastly different than mine. In an online learning environment, all I know is the opinion is different but how much of who they are, where they come from and what they believe in gets lost in translation. At the moment (and maybe my thoughts and opinions will change) I feel “less” global diversity in online learning. Online learning levels the playing field; equalizes everyone. This is good but it has a detrimental effect on the global diversity factor. Of course, this is MY opinion! :-)
-Christine
I feel that we can learn from other students all over the globe. I feel that with the global internet tools we should be able to communicate well even if they don't speak English. What is your thought.
ReplyDeleteDo you feel that communication with others across the world has changed for the better? Do you think that we are globally diverse in our distance education courses?
I can agree with you. Distance education gives access to students all across the world. It is a no cost penalty for these students to attend the school because the web is world wide with access points at any computer. However, since distance education is still fairly new, there is limited diversity until it is fully diffused among other countries. Another thing that shows true is that many of these younger diverse students would rather attend a school in another country especially the US just for the experience of it and many of the older people may not be in the position for going back to school and may not have the opportunity as we do in the US. Until online education becomes in higher demand, the diversity will be limited.
ReplyDelete