ESSENTIAL QUESTION: WHAT THEORIES OR RESEARCH CAN INFORM YOUR CURRENT PRACTICE OF DISTANCE LEARNING?The term distance education is defined as "the universe of teaching learning relationships characterized by separation between learners and teachers" according to Moore (2011). In other words, this means that the teacher is separate from the learner. So how can this be a good thing to have the teacher separate from the learner? "Moore (2011) was attracted by this idea of learner independence and the possibility that distance could actually be a positive force, in helping adult learners, individually and in groups, to have greater control of their learning and more independence from the control of educational institutions." If the teacher is not there the learner learns to be independent and learn on their own. However this does lead to transactional distance. Transactional distance says that "physical separation leads to psychological and communication gaps, a space potential misunderstanding between the inputs of instructor and those of the learner" (Moore, n.d.). Even with a face-to-face class there can be transactional distance. There are 2 variables to consider when looking at transactional distance: dialogue and structure. "Dialogue describes the interaction between the teacher and learner when one gives instruction and the other responds", and "structure expresses the rigidity or flexibility of the program's educational objectives, teaching strategies and evaluation methods" (Moore, n.d.). For me this was the biggest takeaway that could be applied to my classroom, even though "Hopper (2000) found that students who reported a perception of high transactional distance did not think it impeded their achievement or satisfaction with their learning experience" (Moore, 2011). I think because of the face-to-face aspect of my classes distance should be low. Students need to feel connected. In a distance class students know there will be distance but with face-to-face it is expected that distance is low. Distance education offers a lot of potential but so little research has been done and most research only focuses on distance education in relation to a face-to-face classroom. There has not been much that has been studied with distance education in relation to other distance classes. Right now it is "no more than a hodgepodge of ideas and practices taken from traditional classroom settings and imposed on learners who just happen to be separated physically from an instructor" ( Sources
13.3 Theory Of Distance Education. (2001, August 3). Retrieved September 09, 2016, from http://www.aect.org/edtech/ed1/13/13-03.html Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2011). Distance education: A systems view of online learning [Kindle Edition]. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Moore, M. G. (n.d.). Theory of Transactional Distance. Retrieved September 9, 2016, from http://faculty.jou.ufl.edu/mleslie/spring96/moore.html
4 Comments
Dan Marshall
9/10/2016 10:28:43 am
Sara, I think that you have zeroed in on the essence of all educational relationships. Students do need to feel connected, and instructors require that connection as well in order to function productively as part of that relationship. This interpersonal relationship can be developed in so many ways in a face to face, but distance education is limited, and the challenge is to do the best that you can with the format.
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Sara Lucas
9/11/2016 11:45:54 pm
I agree! I am happy that I have a face-to-face class that I can incorporate tech into. This way I get the interaction easier than I would in a distance class. I think so much is just trial and error and being as honest as you can with students. Telling students that you are learning with them can help students to feel more open to dialogue.
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Theresa Merculief
9/10/2016 03:16:15 pm
Sara- That is very interesting that if the teacher is not there the student learns to learn on his own. I know when I first starting taking online classes I was a little nervous. I was use to taking classes in person. With a very supported teacher and group of students I was able to get through my anxiety and now feel at ease. I am know comfortable with distance education. :)
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Sara Lucas
9/11/2016 11:47:30 pm
I have the same perspective. I am in total agreement that now it feels comfortable and I actually enjoy it. I feel like I am getting a lot more in return than I ever did with traditional classes. All of my time working on classwork feels productive because I take my own path to learning. It is very individual.
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