1) Distance learning traces back 100 years. I never thought that things like educational radio in the 1920s was considered distance learning because I only think of the internet when I think of distance learning. Reading through the article reminded me that before internet learning there was television and radio distance learning. I remember my mom sitting in front on the TV every Saturday morning to listen to her SDSU required health class. I just never thought of distance learning as having such a rich history. I always think of it as a recent phenomenon.
2) Many schools are limiting the idea of true e-learning because they try to operate on the same school schedule as they have always used. They do not realize that it should not be business as usual with the added expense of a computer, but rather they should open their thinking to truly embrace the capabilities of distance and e-learning.
3) A system model was developed over 30 years ago. This hierarchial model shows the interconnectivity for distance learning. That model includes: ahrdware, software, telcommunication, instruction, educational systems, social systems, global systems, and management systems.
Overall though when reading this, I was struck by what an impact distance learning has had for so long. It has been used for education and the military. I think of this as a new thing for education, but really education has just been slow at stepping up to the opportunities that distance learning provides.
- Login to post comments