My Reflection

      As when I decided to become a distance learner, many learners have taken into consideration the time out of our lives for learning and studying, the drive time, the gas prices, work hours and family time.  These are things that as a distant learner can be worked around our education.  We can get an education and continue on with our lives without to many interruptions.

     I think people will be more thoughtful of distance learning once they realize how the technology can help them achieve their goals of getting an education even when they once thought it would be impossible since even a local college is more than 20 miles away.

     As technology grows so will the need to learn which in turn will attract more students.  Students are becoming more involved in distance learning while still being able to take care of their families and stay employed.

     Many universities are designing programs that will bring in more perspective distant learning students, who would never have given an online education another thought.   Yale University for instance has a program called Open Yale courses.  These courses are free, noncredit and are introductory courses that are taught by real instructors.  They are recorded in the classrooms and uploaded and available through YouTube or to mp3’s through ITunes. (Yale 2012)

     As instructional designers, we must understand what type students are becoming distant learners and what type of learners they are such as their motivation, goals, characteristics, needs, and expectations and level of understanding each perspective student has.  When designing a course in any learning environment these are all things to consider with the learner in mind.  Planning an online course for distance learners, there are a variety of things to consider including the differences in age, experience, attitude, abilities, knowledge, responsibilities, and learning styles.  This may include calling

the student to make sure they understand what is being taught and if they are not up to par afterwards we may need to make another call to reassure learning is taking place.  Referring to students Simonson, Smaldino, Albright and Zvacek said “They are less likely to be patient with instructional settings where they are not motivated or engaged” (Simonson p 221)

     Keeping in mind the type of abilities and knowledge that are required to be an effective instructional designer or trainer I must be able to extend the knowledge, skills, and experiences to the student.   By applying everything that I have learned in this program I will be able to encourage learner-instructor interactions and help the student develop independent learning activities.  As a distant learner myself I must stay informed on the latest technology and researches that will improve not only my learning but future learners as well.   By learning these new technologies I can continue to educate not only myself but I will be able to encourage and educate those around me whether at home or work on the positives of distance learning.

Open Yale Courses FOUNDATIONS OF MODERN SOCIAL THEORY Retrieved April 2012 http://cmi2.yale.edu/phpQ/fillsurvey.php?sid=73

 

Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education (5th ed.) Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.