Distance Education Karen McNallen EDIT 5370 Module 2

Distance education or sometimes it is referred to as distance learning is an educational delivery system in which learners and the teacher can interact synchronous or asynchronous. They can be at different locations and at different times with several of ways of interacting through the use of the most advance forms of communication, such as the internet. Distance education allows for customizing the educational learning environment that fits the needs of the learner. Distance education brings the classroom to the learner which may help in the reduction of cost for both the learner and the institution. It makes education accessible to any learner that may have limitations due to physical needs. In chapters one and two of, Teaching and Learning at a Distance, it states that distance education is an institutional-based formal education where the learning group is separated and where interactive with telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources, and instructors (Michael Simonson, et al., 2012).

Spodick (1996) states that distance education which is sometimes called distance learning has been in existence for centuries. It involves obtaining knowledge outside of the traditional avenues of attendance at a learned institution. Some definitions state that it involves technology. Some have viewed it as an extension of the classroom environment. Mugridge (1991) states that distance education is a form of education in which there is normally a separation between teacher and learner and thus one in which other means , the printed and the written word, the telephone, computer conferencing or teleconferencing are used to bridge the physical gap. In

Distance Education Karen McNallen EDIT 5370 Module 2 this statement because of the how global communication has progressed since that writing of his statement, physical distance can involve significant time displacement (Spodick, 1996). Spodick also states that a better definition might be, distance education should provide whatever educational opportunities are needed by anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Another variation taken from e learners.com (2013), states that online courses offers learners the opportunity to take courses and learn from any location with the internet connection. It states that the majority of the course work is asynchronous and that teachers and learners do not meet at the same time. It provides you with the ability to increase your knowledge and expertise about a certain matter, it is typically taught like a traditional course at an institution.

Wikipedia states that Distance Education, or Distance learning is a mode of delivering instruction, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional setting such as a classroom. Distance learning provides "access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both (Wikipedia, 2013). Will the definition provided at the beginning of the paper withstand the test of time? Technology as we know it, is constantly changing. What was invented yesterday is obsolete today. Distance education has been in existence since the turn of the century. The first forms of distance education was a correspondence class back in 1840 (Historical Timeline, 2013). The devices used and the types of communications may change but distance learning will remain. I believe that distance learning as we know it, is growing in popularity in the public

Distance Education Karen McNallen EDIT 5370 Module 2 education systems and there will be new opportunities for learners to be educated in a different way.

Bibliography Edward F. Spodick, The Evolution of Distance Learning, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Library. Presented August, 1995 - links updated 31 January, 1996. Retrieved September 16, 2013 from: http://sqzm14.ust.hk/distance/evolution-distance-learning.htm Online College Courses, e Learners.com., Retrieved on September 16, 2013 from: http://www.elearners.com/courses/ Distance Education, Wikipedia. Retrieved September 16, 2013 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distance_education Historical Timeline, Retrieved September 16, 2013 from: http://mysite.du.edu/~kkeairns/doc/history.html Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2012). Teaching and Learning at a Distance (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.