The Distance Learning Phenomenon - Essay Example

Distant Learning School Distance Learning In this day and age, where computers and technology is rapidly taking over the world and changing our ways of living, the phenomenon of distance learning is also getting widely popular. This is thought of as not just a way of convenient learning-from-home, but also in helping the world become the truly “global” village, as it is extensively known. Use of Technology to Foster Student Learning A wide range of globally acclaimed objectives and advantages are encompassed in the distance learning phenomenon, and are seen to be able to foster student learning better than ever before. Not only convenience, but the use of technology is also considered to widen access, implementing new and advanced teaching techniques and also share a wider (than ever before) intellectual resources across the boundaries, all over the world (Berg, 2002). Considering the wide span and quick progress of technology over the last decade, it goes without saying that there are multiple forms where technology can be used to foster student learning, be it distant or in-campus education. This far-reaching potential of technology constitutes synchronous and asynchronous learning (Piskurich, 2003). The first term is similar to what’s conventionally the class-room learning, where the students or participants are present and real-time lecture delivery takes place. The use of technology here is in various forms, such as e-meeting, e-conference (video/tele-conference), virtual classrooms, radio technology and live streaming etc. Asynchronous is a kind of passive form of distant learning, which allows the student or participant to access lecture notes and study material at their own convenience. The schedule here is more flexible for the student, who may take notes whenever possible for them. The means used here are email, audio or video recordings, print materials, message board forums etc. (Bélanger & Jordan, 2000). Challenges and Obstacles The basic challenge in the use of technology to foster student learning is the adaptability factor. It is a major responsibility on the part of the organization or institution to extend access as well update and enrich the resources available to a medium online or at the form of technology being used. Although the phenomenon of distant learning might be a very attractive one for institutions, and may come with positive factors like an increased enrollment, greater creativity for the faculty in their teaching techniques, supporting “education for all” slogans, cost and time saving etc., yet it possesses a plethora of challenges and obstacles which have to be covered before the long-term benefits are realized. Before a thing such as distant learning is popularized, it has to be advertised enough to the people to understand the need of it. Lack of such an understanding might give a severe blow to the initiative taken and the institution could incur high losses. This involves a collective change in the perception of learning and teaching, as opposed to the traditional classroom practice. It calls for almost a revolution in this field and a major change in the administrative planning, organization and day-to-day management. More important is technology adaption, which not only involves agreeing to adapt the said phenomenon, but also calls for a huge investment and development of related infrastructure in the form of state-of-the-art technologies with consistent technological updates. Unless it is very worthwhile and/or its long term benefits are kept in view with knowledge of short term loss period, most institutions or organizations would not prefer to revert to distance learning phenomenon. This investment is not only on the part of the institution, but also the people to whom the services are intended to be delivered to. Not the same, but a fair amount of technological availability will be mandatory for the receptors of distant learning, which would come from their willingness to invest in it. Hence this way, it is not just an institutional concept or endeavour, but involves a two-way effort. Issue: Misuse of Technology and Lack of Personal Development Regarding distance learning phenomenon, a key issue is the misuse of technology and lack of personal development in the educational procedure. This is one issue, which gives way to several other problems coming in the various forms. These are discussed as under: Addiction Distance learning involves a massive mandatory use of technology, which makes a person addicted to the one using it for longer hours. While attending classes through the internet, a student may not just be studying but rather, be connected to so-called internet “friends” through social networking sites and other distractions. This, in some cases, translates to pronounced effects which lead to lesser study and more enjoyment, leading to a lack of concentration in their study. Lack of Personal Development Another factor in this phenomenon is the lack of personal development, which comes through campus learning and studying at a real-time institution in class room environment. This comprises of not just classroom study but also other recreational activities such as sports, recreational trips and a sense of being in a community, amongst friends and colleagues. On the contrary, distance learning is fairly personalized and independent, and deprives a person of the sense of developing one’s personality. Health Issues Allied problems of distance living arise in the form of health issues, resulting in a lack of activity in the life of those involved in learning and teaching during this phenomenon. Sitting in most of the hours of the day often result in health problems, including obesity, which has already been witnessed in great numbers in the youth owing to the advent of computer and related technology. Conclusion Like everything, there are multiple pros and cons to the phenomenon of direct learning. Despite the disadvantages, distance learning possesses the universal benefits of education-for-all and delivering quality education to people living in distant areas of the world. However to avoid the disadvantages, particular emphasis must be paid to the design of distant learning programs in such a way that the costs are minimum in the short term, the benefits maximum with a consistently high quality. Hence, it is imperative for the planners and implementers of this mode of education to consider all long-term aspects (both economic and social impacts) of the distant education program. Bibliography Bélanger, F., & Jordan, D. H. (2000). Evaluation and Implementation of Distance Learning: Technologies, Tools, and Techniques. Hershey, PA: Idea Group Inc. Berg, G. A. (2002). Why Distance Learning?: Higher Education Administrative Practices. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group. Piskurich, E. G. (2003). The AMA Handbook of e-Learning: Effective Design, Implementation, and Technology Solutions. New York: AMACOM Div American Management Association. Read More