George Siemens and his Views of Distance Learning

George Siemens in the video speaks about the rapid and influential impact that distance learning has on education and the world of works. Though face to face is very unique in its own way due to individual needs of the learner, the personal affect of the teacher to students along with a professional level of intimacy with the students. however, Online learning also have its advantages. Though Online learning may not have the level of attention as face to face it is important to note that the instructional way of teaching face to face and distance learning is different.

I agree with George Siemens with his three views that distance learning provides. It is indeed globally diverse and it allows walls of the classroom to be non existence. The individual can have access to the information anytime as well as use techniques such as collaboration which can be shared anywhere around the world through social networking sites. Communication method are endless. Messages can be sent instantly, and participants have various needs in which to convey a message. Huett, Moller, Forshal and Coleman (2008) states that distance learning allows teachers to have better contact with their students which they normally would not have if they were communicating face to face. Parents can now have access to students assignments to assist their homework assignment.

One of the 3 elements I chose to analyze is communication. Communication has come along way. It has evolved around the years and have stood the test of time. Communication has gone from stone tablet, to slates, telegram, mail, radio, tv, telephone, pagers, cell phones, emails skype, video conferencing and my favorite texting. We can communication through verbal and non verbal channels (smiley or sad faces).

As a communication study lecturer, I teach that communication is vital. It conveys messages to the receiver using various channels. Today's students according to Prensky (2001) belong to an era that is known as the digital era. These thinkers are multitasked are are referred to as techno savvy or digital native. Communication for them needs to be instantaneously.

Communication today is instant! It is transactional and allows you speak and collaborate with people any where in the world. Tools that are used to assist in facilitating communication are
-emails
-videos
-wikis
-blogs
-You Tube
-Podcast

Reference

Prensky, M. (2001) Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. From On the Horison MC

University Press, Vol. 9 No. 5.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). 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. Use the Academic

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