I have always thought of distance learning as a means of a learner accessing content from outside of the traditional brick and mortar school buildings. Whether it was the earlier correspondence courses, or the newer virtual high schools or universities, distance learning meant the learning was done in isolation, using the materials provided by the school and being away from the instructor overseeing the lessons. As a young student, I recall seeing advertisements for art school or business schools. I understood this form of distance learning to require the student to be self driven and able to work on their own with little or no contact with the instructor.
Revised definition
Distance learning can take place from a remote location, or from a traditional classroom. In schools around the world, students are able to connect to online learning programs and work at an individual pace under the supervision of an instructor overseeing the learning lab. An expansion in my definition of distance learning includes students who are able to take virtual field trips using technology such as video conferencing, to enable them to carry on a live discussion with experts in the field being studied. Such access may have been previously unavailable to them due to cost and distance. Distance learning also includes the collaboration between two classrooms via a live video link. A single instructor can host a class with students joining in from a variety of locations, allowing collaboration between classrooms and improving the course offerings at many small schools. In summary, distance learning is any situation in which there is an exchange of knowledge with a separation between the learners, the instructor, or the materials.
The Future of Distance Learning
Our education system has evolved to include technology and improve access to remote learning. E-learning and the use of technology will continue to allow us to maximize productivity as workers are trained for new aspects of their careers using technology resources and distance learning. Younger students will perhaps be given the advantage to complete their secondary education requirement while working in a chosen field of interest. Distance learning has become a very popular method for providing synchronous and asynchronous training for employees when new job skills are needed or they elect to change careers. (Moller, et.al, 2008). Having worked with at-risk students and listened to their needs, I foresee a time when distance learning will routinely be used to allow a student to choose to go to work, and to complete their high school requirements under the supervision of an on the job training program. Based on my experience with these students I would agree with Moller that “Meaningful learning is more likely to occur when learners have access to a supportive community that encourages knowledge building and social reinforcement (Moller, 1998). This supportive community can be a network of learners in the same course of study, or a supportive group of fellow employees assisting the learner while they gain an education and experience in a selected career. Although e-learning is not a perfect solution for everyone, it does hold the promise of allowing a personalize approach to education that has previously been difficult to achieve. (Moller, Foshay, & Huett, 2008).
Moller, L. (1998). Designing communities of learners for asynchronous distance education. Educational Technology and Research Development Journal, 46(4), 115-122.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and development). TechTrends, 52(3), 70–75.
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