Social Media Huge and Here to Stay

Just wanted to add this article to my blog because I just find it fascinating.  Social media is impacting our lives at an alarming rate and we are just playing catch up at this point.  If you follow the link, make sure to watch the video.

http://www.technewsdaily.com/social-media-huge-and-here-to-stay-0927/

The Growth of Distance Learning

After looking at several blogs on the web for educational technology, I came to realize that one of the most important elements distance learning is communication.  Without the technology to communicate, there would be no distance education, even in the old days of correspondance classes.

Many educators use the Internet today to communicate and share information.  I had the opportunity to go to a presentation by Richard Bryne who hosts this blog:  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/.  He uses this blog to communicate all the new tools and technology educators and the public can use for free.  His presentation was amazing and he is using communication through the Internet to keep educators up to date on free technology that changes so rapidly.  Teachers Teaching Teachers http://teachersteachingteachers.org/ is another example of collaboration through communication on the Internet. 

Siemens discusses bringing together contributions from experts around the world.  Blogging does bring together educators from all over the world communicating and sharing ideas.  Sharing ideas in an online environment is that comfort level for educators. 

The world is suddenly getting smaller with technology and education is just taking advantage of this global opportunity.

References

Siemens, George.  The future of distance education.  Video. Walden University.

The Next Generate of Distance Education

After taking two theory classes last semester, it was so refreshing to read material that is related to a subject matter I am very interested in!  The three articles by Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman stood out the most for me.  First the analogy of the workplace and educating with distance education was so interesting to me because I worked for a company that used a lot of online learning to update their current work force.  It was done all at your own pace and only when it was needed.  Sometimes it would be on product, sometimes on new information from human resources.  I enjoyed looking at the education from a business stand point.  The second and third articles focused on education of students in an educational setting, which is where I work now.   All of the research focuses on the evolution of technology and how it is effecting education, in all forms for the next generation.  Because the Internet is allowing us to communicate in such a way, I think we are only just beginning to see the evolution process and there is so much more to come!!  The reflection of distance education by Simpson was interesting to remind us how far we have come is such a short amount of time. 

Simonson's 4 step process for equalizing education from the traditional classroom to an online course develops the structure needed to support the validity of this new educational medium.  By developing a plan in which there is an assessment of available technology, we are better prepared to develop online classrooms with more positive outcomes.  These learning outcomes allow us to measure success of students in the class bringing authenticity to the learning.  Matching up the learning experiences and technology make for an easy transition when incorporating material in this enviornment.  All this structure leads to a more successful online class.  This makes for a much easier transition for the students and the faculty.

Education is evolving and we are preparing the next generation. 


References


Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, May/June). 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.

Moller, L., Foshay, W., & Huett, J. (2008, July/August). 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, September/October). The evolution of distance education: Implications for instructional design on the potential of the Web (Part 3: K12). TechTrends, 52(5), 63–67.

Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34.

Welcome to my blog!

Welcome to my blog!  This will be a developmental blog for educational technology.