Michael Simmonson (2000) discusses the definition of the Equivalency Theory as providing a variety of learning experiences that are tailored to the environment and situation in which students find themselves and the four steps to achieving equivalency as: assess available instructional technologies, determine the learning outcomes, identify learning experiences and match them to appropriate available technology, and prepare the learning experience for online delivery
Leslie Moller, Wellesley Foshay, Jason Huett ((2008) and Craig Coleman (2008) discussed the evolution and implications of distance education that involved training, higher education and K-12 education.
These authors all share a common consensus in the need and usefulness of distance education and technology. One driving force for the development and implementation of Instructional Design is the money factor. Distance education in education and business is used to cut the budgets by eliminating travel time, reducing training delivery costs and also is available to thousands of individuals immediately. There was also a consensus in the need for training, assessment and the use of technology as a quick fix.
Some feel that technology is the only mode of delivery and feel that the quickest development of training and availability is the main emphasis without all of the necessary prerequisites being developed, tested, and implemented. There is a need for Instructional Design in the online classrooms so that the most effective delivery is available to all students with the consideration of the student’s location, skills and situations. Moller, Foshay and Huett(2008) stressed that training should be the catalyst for the creation of cost-effective models and tools for distance education.
The crossover from the business community to the educational community has Return on Inventory (ROI). In business, we look at the bottom line and in education, we look at the results of various evaluation tools. Adequate emphasis must be utilized in determining the technological tools, teaching methods, learning styles, goals and objective, strategies and the structure of the online classrooms.
No matter how we develop, plan, assess and implement our plans for an online classroom, it is the involvement of the student and the buy-in of the faculty that is important.
References:
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications
for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 1: Training and Development).
TechTrends, 52(3), 70-75.
TechTrends, 52(3), 70-75.
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education: Implications
for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 2: Higher Education). TechTrends,
52(4), 66-70.
Huett, J., Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Coleman, C.(2008). The evolution of distance education:
Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3: K-3). TechTrends,
52(5), 63-67.
Simmonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New
Directions for Teaching and Learning, 8484, 29-34.
Implications for instructional design on the potential of the web (Part 3: K-3). TechTrends,
52(5), 63-67.
Simmonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New
Directions for Teaching and Learning, 8484, 29-34.
The authors, when the reference technology, are referring to the use of computers and the Internet. But in many countries they do not have effective or reliable Internet and in many educational institutions cannot afford comptuers for their learners. When we consider the use of Open and Distance Learning we must consider all methods of delivery, from paper based, to radio to video tape and other technologies that are available to the distance learners. Otherwise we are taking a very Westernized view of DE.
ReplyDeleteMarion's comment on Theresa's blog which was very interesting and displayed good information on distance education based on Simonson's (2000)"Equivalency Theory."
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think that using distance education in K-12 as discussed by Moller,Foshay,Huett ((2008) and Coleman(2008) would be kind of difficult to accept at the elementary level.
References
Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008). The evolution of distance education:Implications.
for instructional design on the potential of the web
(Part 1: Training and Development). (Part 2: Higher Education).
Simmonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online
classes. New
Directions for Teaching and Learning, 8484, 29-34.