Module+1+Reflections

Module 1: History of DE
Module Reflection Topics
 * How has your definition/understanding of DE evolved since you first posted it to the class/wiki? What changes would you make to your original definition as a result of Module 1 readings and discussions?
 * What has contributed to the change in your understanding of DE (i.e., specific discussions/readings/interactions with Torstein, instructors, and/or other students)?
 * What was your most important “aha” experience in this module?
 * Go back and review the objectives for this module. Do you feel that module goals and objectives have been met? If not, which objectives have not been fully achieved?

6/4/2010 Beginning the Journey Tonight I created this new wiki site to act as my Personal Journal during my DE 601 course. Although we are only 1 week intothe course, I am amazed at what I have already learned. Reading about the history of Disance Education was very interesing since I remember the advent of computers. My first computer course was in 1974, FORTRAN. We had cards that we had to punch and then send them through a computer that was as large as a building. Now, I'm working on my own laptop. The Digital Age is amazing!

6/15/2010 Reading the texts, I have begun my journey into DE, a topic that intrigues me. In the Moore & Kearsley text I read about the history of distance ed which really started as a form of written correspondence through the mail system. Having taken a couple of distance ed courses that used the first the mail, then the telephone, and now the computer, I realized that I have been a participant in the history and never knew it! The discussions with our guest lecturers and classmates have given a wider view of distance education across the globe. I look forward to the topics that will arise throughout the remainder of this course.

6/25/2010 Comunication is a key element in distance education, whether it is in written, auditory, and visul style. These concepts were explored in Essay 1 that I just submtted. It was challenging for me to summarize everything I've read in our texts and in articles into just 600 words. I have realized that written text through discussion forumsBat, written esays, etc. are the primary communication form used in online learning, and it is critical that they be well constructed and thought provoking. Analyzing how this course is constructed in WebTycho has also been an education for me, since I've only used BlackBoard before. I really have a new appreciation for early online teachers who worked with more primitive learning management systems. They truly were pioeers!

Bates and Poole (2003) stress the importance of the relationship between instructor and learners in online learning. This connection is much more difficult to create via the internet than in face to face classrooms. Just as I set the tone for learning in each of my professional development sessions by setting norms, clearly explaining the course expectations, and creating an relationship with each of my sudents, it is critical to do the same things in online learning. Peters (2001) explained this in terms of "friendly, almost colloquial" language. I've thought about this comment and wondered whether I am projecting this type of aura to my students. Now that I am aware of this, I will consider this at the beginning of every course I teach and never forget it because I want to be an "empathetic" teacher.

**Beginning definition of DE**
Distance Education is an alternative to the face to face instruction presented in "Bricks and Mortar" schools. The content of the course is similar, but the method of instruction is clearly different. With historical and philosophical differences such as "empowering the learner" to build learner independence and commitment, self-pacing, and mastery learning, distance education presents the learner with the opportunity to learn wherever they might be. This concept connects to the current social and societal needs of today's learners who might work various shifts, have family responsibilities, or other difficulties that prevent them from attending courses on campus. Personally, I love being able to learn at home on my own time. After working a full day, I often have difficulties staying fully mentally engaged when sitting in graduate courses at night. I view Distance Learning as a God-send.

Module 1 of OMDE 601 was designed to present an understanding of the history of distance education. Being a novice in this area, it was very informative to explore the early beginnings of distance education from the middle 1800's. Correspondence courses by mail were the first generation of this new way of learning followed by early television, radio, and audio taped being shared with students. We have really progressed since those days and online instruction is better because of the experimentation and research that has gone into this field. Reading about the Open University and its worldwide success has caused me to wonder why we keep the same educational structure in most schools and colleges established by Dewey at the turn of the 20th century. When I observe classrooms, I see schedules allowing 1 hour per subject and I often wonder what would happen if the "teachable moment" lasted longer than the time allowed. It seems rather archaic to assume that learning for individual students will occur within time frames. Identifying with the constructivists, it seems that learning is more fluid and contagious! Online learning is an opportunity to allow learners to make choices, connect learning to their real lives and problems, and establish meaningful relationships with instructors who function as "learning guides". Learning about the history of distance education will help me to be a better online instructor-- realizing that each student is also responsible for their learning!

In reflecting on the module goals and objectives, I can see that the goals have been met through the variety of experiences provided in this module. Discussions with exxperts and peers have helped me to see that distance education is quite different from my original definition. Having initially thought that distance education was just a modified version of the face to face instruction was faulty. Distance education is so much more because it entails careful thought into how best to delivery the content information in ways that promote interaction, thought provoking questions, and quality readings by the experts in the field.