Test Post

The short story

Lindsay and I saved our money over several years and planned a year long adventure across the United States.  In March of 2012, we bought a Cougar 5th wheel camper and hit the road on June 14, 2012.  On May 25, 2013, we arrived back home with experiences that will last a lifetime.

I started this blog to share, reflect and have fun remembering it all again. My goal is to add at least a story a week along with pictures of our adventures. If you enjoy the stories or have questions please contact me or post a comment at the bottom of the story.

Our home on the road!

Mammoth and Wind Cave

Click here to view these pictures larger

Project Management and Job News

It is time for a new class.  Project Management started this week.  This is a good program but I am really ready to be done.  I have two more classes after this one so I am really getting excited about finishing my degree.

Along with my new class starting this week I also secured my first virtual teaching job.  I have been working on my qualifications for two or three years.  I have five different subject certifications and will have my graduate degree finished this year.  This virtual job is with my current school district but I am also in the hire pool for FL Virtual High School.  The hard work and is finally paying off.

This blog was started early in my program at Walden and for the next eight weeks I will be using it for my project management class.

The Future of Distance Learning

The Future

Distance learning has been around for a long time. As far back as 1833, there was an ad for a correspondence course for a composition class (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009). There have been trends along the way that seemed like the one trend that would expand distance learning. Eventually something new would take over as the next big thing. Technology is the driving force behind all of these trends. Technology has finally gotten to a point that it seems to be giving distance learning the ability to really make big jumps forward.

The momentum of distance learning seems unstoppable. Technology now gives us the ability to communicate instantly by typing, talking, or by video. Everything is so fast and only getting faster. Two of the biggest factors in the growth of distance learning are the familiarity that most have with online communication and the fact that universities, governments, and business have all realized the importance of distance education (Simonson et al., 2009). Money also plays a role in the future. Businesses and government entities can see the money saving aspects of using distance training. Distance learning keeps their workers from needing to travel for training. This saves the company money and time. I think the biggest factor along with technology will be money over the next decades. The technology is here and only getting better. Money saving and fast technology gives distance learning limitless possibilities.

Improving Perceptions

Society is becoming comfortable with online communication and businesses are saving money through distance training. It seems like nothing could hold distance learning back. Even though this is the case there are still many people that do not see distance learning as comparable to face-to-face learning. My recent interview of perceptions of distance learning helped me see this. There are some people who see that the technology is there but still think everyone needs to have face-to-face meetings to learn. I think this comes from people thinking distance learning is just turning in a few assignments. As an instructional designer it will be important to always create courses that promote as much interaction as possible. The other activities are important but the interaction in chat rooms and discussion boards with diverse groups will be what helps makes learning more meaningful. If learners have a good experience and see the importance of this interaction in distance learning, they are likely to take another class and spread the word about what they thought of the courses. These two things together can produce a big impact on future perceptions.

Continuous Improvement

Even though everything points to the growth of distance learning, we can not just sit back and hope to ride the wave. The key to continuously improving distance learning is research and using current technology. In my career I plan to stay up to date on research in the field of instructional design and also try to keep up with what future advancements in technology are heading our way. If designers fall down on either one of these things it could slow the growth. We as instructional designers have to try and see the future and be ready for it. If we can not keep up with trends and are always just reacting to what is happening growth may slow. For continuous improvement we have to ready in advance.

Conclusion

Siemens (2011) tells about society becoming more familiar with online communication and big institutions promoting distance learning. This is a very important aspect of the growth of distance learning. One factor that is even more important is instructional design and designing for the learner. If the courses are not created in a way that makes learners comfortable and successful, there is no future for distance learning. After all the cool technology is looked at and content found, the learner will always be the most important of all. Without the learner wanting to take the courses distance learning can not grow. To improve growth and perceptions of distance learning we have to design to the learner.

References:

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2009). Teaching and learning at a distance: foundations of distance education (4th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson.

Walden University. (Producer). (2011). The future of distance learning. [Online]. Retrieved from Walden University eCollege.

Converting to Distance Learning

Converting a traditional course to distance learning format is more than just uploading the course to the internet.

Key items to consider:

• Build a Team
• Assess the Learner
• Plan and Organize
• Choose a CMS
• Communicate Effectively

Click the file below for the entire document.

A7FoxR.pdf