Jheroma Simon

OMDE 610-9040: eLearning Theory and DE today

Assignment 1

How do we provide effective and efficient teaching and learning for all [children]
(Harasim. 2010, pg. 13)? Distance Education (DE) is a new pedagogy that has transformed the
way teachers and learners work together whether for a class, training or other form of education.
DE is defined by Moore and Kearsley (2012) as teaching and planned learning in which
teaching normally occurs in a different place from learning, requiring communication through
technologies as well as special institutional organization. A theory is a way to review the past
(history) and make changes according to the time with ideas as to what the future will include.
The learning process is a creative process that upon further reflection has documented the
behavior and learning patterns of humans from B.C. to present day. Thanks to philosophers,
religious leaders and scientists, we are able to understand the development of these learning
theories specifically the eLearning theory. The eLearning theory is the exploration of technology
and learning as it pertains to the learning theory. The learning theory is the use of scientific
methods to better understand how people learn. Understanding how people learn has been a
pertinent aspect in DE practices today. The eLearning theory has created a historical link
between education and technology, opened new perspectives of education and has gotten
researchers closer to understanding the many aspects of education. Based on the combination of
the three main frameworks, behaviorist theory, cognitivist theory and constructivist theory are
used to explain eLearning theory. This paper will be used to explain how the eLearning theory
has impacted to DE today as a new pedagogy.
The behaviorist theory focuses on how people behave and the best ways to effectively
influence their behaviors (Harasim, 2010). Understanding the science behind how humans think,
how they learn and how to best create a model that can be followed and accepted widely by all.
This definition was limited in that it depended on an observable stimulus and response system
1

Jheroma Simon
OMDE 610-9040: eLearning Theory and DE today
Assignment 1

that has since changed with the times. In DE, the stimulus and response form of action has
developed into a more of a reward and punishment. This technique has been translated from the
traditional classroom to establish what is considered to be acceptable classroom decorum. In the
online environment, the instructors delegates tasks needed to be completed with deadlines an
clear rubrics, objectives are created to clearly define what the expectations of the learners are and
test are administered to show how much the learner has understood the content (Bates,
opentextbc.ca).
The cognitivist theory includes the study of social behaviors and how they pertain to
education (Harasim, 2010). Similar to the behaviorist theory with the understanding that the
mind is a computing entity that thinks and allows for personable experiences coupled with
stimulus to develop rational responses. In DE today, we see that the way our minds comprehend
the content given has to do with our morals, upbringing, ethnicity, etc. our social existence is a
major aspect of how er formulate opinions, ideas and how we understand the content given. It is
fair to say that the computer was developed to mimic the mind and the way we, humans, process
information. In the online classroom, the instructional designer encourages open discussions and
dialogues to encourage learners to use their personal views, personal understanding with
references to the given content to provide multiple aspects within a specified topic (Bates,
opentextbc.ca)
The constructivist theory is the belief that people connect the stimulus to their
experiences (Harasim, 2010). Not solely dependent on stimulus to gain a response or the way
information is processed, this theory focuses on the environment in which a learner surrounds
themselves and the connections that are made from their understanding of the content. DE,

Jheroma Simon
OMDE 610-9040: eLearning Theory and DE today
Assignment 1

allows for learners to use their experience to assist within the classroom. Making comparisons,
making connections, using a set of existing skills and being able to relate it to the specific topic
are considered when designing an online class. Using a variety of texts, visual aids, and audio,
offering multiple viewpoints, open discussions amongst other students helps with perception and
reasoning. Building on simple ideas to eventually get to more complex ones can also aid in the
constructivist theory in DE. commonly viewed as a form of independent studies, the online
environment often offers the necessary tools, support from the instructor and other learners and
guides to encourage the learner to build upon existing knowledge and achieve personal goals
along with the class objectives (Bates, opentextbc.ca).
The eLearning theory is continually evolving and changing to include new ideas to
explain the way humans think, act, gather, process, and respond to learning. Because of these
continual changes, humans have learned to develop and adjust as science continues to create new
theories to support the many aspects of human perception. As we usher in the newest pedagogy
of Distance Education, it is safe to say that the eLearning theory has played a major role in
ensuring that all aspects of the theory can be met through an online environment. The behaviorist
theory supports the needs for the instructional design team to include an aspect of learning that
encourages stimulus and response, ie. texts and tests. The cognitivist theory opens the way for
the mind and computers to process information in similar patterns. This theory allows the learner
to think outside the box, or intended stimulus, and create responses that are based more on their
background and understanding than what is written in the text. Finally, the cognitivist theory, is
the discussion of how a persons environment can affect their knowledge. How real-life
experience affect the thought process and understanding within the classroom. In conclusion, we

Jheroma Simon
OMDE 610-9040: eLearning Theory and DE today
Assignment 1

provide effective and efficient learning for all learners through the use and understanding of the
eLearning theory and how it relates to DE today.

References
Bates, A.W. Teaching in a digital age. Retrieved from:
http://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/
Harasim, L. (2012). Learning theories and online technologies. NY: Routledge.
Kearsley, G. & Moore, M. (2012). Distance education: as system view of online learning (third
edition). CA, USA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.