Reflections

Distance education has slowly become popular at universities in the past couple of years. Many still think that traditional courses are the best way to learn and refuse to even try an online course. However, you see individuals who will take nothing else but an online class because it is much more convenient for their busy life. In the years to come technology will definitely change the minds of the skeptics. Many instructional designers will begin changing electronic tools that will make many of the tasks for online courses easier for those that prefer traditional courses. Finally, you will begin to see distance education promoted more by schools as an easier way to get a higher education.

In the future, distance education course will be the most popular way to obtain a degree in higher education. First of all, online courses will become more convenient for many users. Currently, only some degrees can be obtained online; mainly because the curriculum is hard to teach online. With the improvements in technology, in the coming years, this boundary is sure to be fixed. This is sure to decrease the number of traditional courses and those that once were fans of the traditional class will be forced to migrate to an online course. Once, they see differences they are sure to continue on to distance education. Finally, in the future, perceptions of distance education will start being the norm and a lot of the technology that is created will be used not just for online courses but for everyone. This software will start being used in the classroom and the professors will use them as teaching tools. This will make it easier for students to take these courses and spend less money. Overall, I feel in the future distance education will be the most popular choice.

Overall and instructional designer must be a supporter for improving societal perception of distance education learning by making sure that the electronic tools that are used for tasks are still up to date. Every year technology changes, if the technology that is used in the online courses do not stay current the students will not stay focused, just as in traditional courses. For example, try using social media tools that many students use daily to get them interested in the course. They must also make sure that their courses are outlined clearly so that students are not confused while taking their courses. This will help when you have those in your course that are not familiar with taking an online course. This is how an instructional designer can be supporter for improving the perception of online education.

George Siemens states that growing acceptance of distance education is fueled by the increase in online communication (ex. video tools), practical experience with new tools, growing comfort with online discourse, and ability to communicate with diverse and global groups (Siemens, 2012).

In order to be a positive force for the improvement in the field of distance education, you must continue to promote the benefits of online courses. It is extremely convenient, saves time and money, and strengthens technology. You must also continue to improve technology so that distance education continues to improve and becomes easier for the teachers and students. The easier it becomes for everyone, the more it will be the norm for all. Soon traditional courses will only be known in the history books.

            

References

Siemens, G. (2012). The Future of Distance Education. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_549515_1%26url%3D.