Distance education is a growing trend in education and training and is therefore, rapidly transforming the field of training that companies will offer their employees as well as, education for students birth to 100. The defined of distance education “as institution-based, formal education where the leaning group is separate, and here interactive telecommunications systems are used to connect learners, resources, and instructors (Simonson, Smaldiino, & Zvacek, 2015) provides a basis for what distance education. However, the definition should also include “separated by geography and sometimes time (Laureate Education, n.d.)”. As both a student and my career as an educator has been impacted by distance education.
The four components of distance education:
A. Instructionally based
B. Separation of Teacher and Student
C. Interactive telecommunications
D. Sharing of data, voice, and video experiences (Simonson, Smaldiino, & Zvacek, 2015)
Are part of my experience in education, first as a student I received my degree in special education by attending weekly classes at a local school, where the instructor was visible to us on a large screen. Not only did he instruct our group of students, but another group of student in another city. We all received the same lecture and as stated in the definition, we received the same resources. If a student wanted to speak during the discussion or ask a question, we had to push button that allowed both groups and the instructor to hear the comment or question. The class was conducted in real time. All of our assignments were sent via email and tests were in the classroom or via computer.
Next as a freelance educator, I conduct lessons with individual students or groups of students in real time, but they are in another part of the country and world. In addition, all other communication is completed via email or a special app. I develop curriculum and work as an adjunct professor for a institution in Florida. I developed the material for the class and recently did a Facebook live as an introduction to the class. Methods of delivery do not limit themselves to a large screen or a video camera, but also Google hangout, zoom, and Facebook just to name a few. In addition, I have conducted webinars (both synchronously and asynchronous ly) as part of professional development for other educators in the US.
Distance education provides a cost effective means for individuals to learn and study at their own pace, with the assistance of real time instructor who can answer questions, provide materials and help them to progress with their education or training. I think Dr. Simonson is correct in his view that distance education will become the “traditional method” of education and training for the next generation.
References:
Distance Learning Timeline Continuum. Laureate Education (Producer) n.d. Distance Education: The next
generation (Video file) https://class.waldenu.edu
Simonson, M., Smaldiino, S., & Zvacek, S. (2015) Teaching and Learning at a Distance: Foundations of Distance
Education (6th Ed) Information Age Publishing, Inc.
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Week in Review
💁Did you set your clock ahead ONE HOUR?
Daylight Savings Time Begins😏
Colossians 3:8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.
These things mentioned in Colossians are stuff that weighs a person down, hard. Unfortunately, these are the items that live in the emotions and stay there, they come out at the worst possible times. They also cause a situation to become worse if they are not dealt with or they just cause pain. So take some time this week and remove them from (or at least find the cause) your life.
Online Working Tips:
I teach online about 6-9 hours a day as an independent contractor. In addition, I write, write curriculum, design instruction and write non-fiction which means I spend a lot of time sitting and in front of a computer. One of the problems that developed right away was weight gain! It doesn’t help that I have a hypothyroid that I take medication to control, plus a few other side effects courtesy of cancer treatment. Prior to my career change, I was a brick and mortar teacher in a public school. At least there I was walking around and not sitting all day and the refrigerator was not a few steps away.
There are five things that you need to do if you spend a lot of time at home, working online:
- Get up and move
- Drink plenty of water
- Meet with people in a live environment
- Get plenty of sleep
- Move away from the Computer
March Events
(more events at The Teacher's Corner: https://www.theteacherscorner.net/calendars/march.php)
National Woman History Month
St. Patrick’s Day
World International Prayer
Good Friday
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Contract Online Teacher
I have officially started making my living online!!. I am very excited and nervous about the situation. In the next 60 days I need to renew my teaching certification and attain my TESOL certification so that I can continue with this job! For a very long time I have wanted to make my living online.
The whole purpose is to make a living, but as long as I have a stable Internet connection I can work out of our mountain cabin and our travel trailer.
There are so, so many people who do this . . work online, remote, virtual position where they make the same kind of money that they did when they got up, dressed etc. . and drive to work . I don't want to do that anymore. I do want to teach, design instruction, develop curriculum and write . . . all online. However, I have to make sure the internet connection is stable wherever I am. This weekend i will be checking out the internet connection at the cabin. The next step is to check out the connection on the RV. I will have to purchase a internet enhancer!
Technology is great! However, I am learning one thing about teaching online, the world becomes a WHOLE lot closer. I teach and work with people who are learning English who are 14 hours ahead of me. I have applied for jobs where the time is local or 1 hour behind me or two hours ahead of me.
I knew this to be true or rather had an idea when I studied online, my study partner (assigned by our teacher) what 7 hours ahead of me. That was interesting! Anyway, I will continue because I am getting up at 4:30 to teach online at 5:30.
In the meantime I will could really get used to this . . working at home. My schedule is set . . by me. The housekeeping is done, no one listens while I talk on the phone. No students interrupt, because my classes last 45 minutes.
The situation doesn't mean I am completely on my own, I still have to plan, teach, be evaluated, and will eventually get paid, for teaching online. Also, I do need to dress professionally and keep a clean background.
The whole purpose is to make a living, but as long as I have a stable Internet connection I can work out of our mountain cabin and our travel trailer.
There are so, so many people who do this . . work online, remote, virtual position where they make the same kind of money that they did when they got up, dressed etc. . and drive to work . I don't want to do that anymore. I do want to teach, design instruction, develop curriculum and write . . . all online. However, I have to make sure the internet connection is stable wherever I am. This weekend i will be checking out the internet connection at the cabin. The next step is to check out the connection on the RV. I will have to purchase a internet enhancer!
Technology is great! However, I am learning one thing about teaching online, the world becomes a WHOLE lot closer. I teach and work with people who are learning English who are 14 hours ahead of me. I have applied for jobs where the time is local or 1 hour behind me or two hours ahead of me.
I knew this to be true or rather had an idea when I studied online, my study partner (assigned by our teacher) what 7 hours ahead of me. That was interesting! Anyway, I will continue because I am getting up at 4:30 to teach online at 5:30.
In the meantime I will could really get used to this . . working at home. My schedule is set . . by me. The housekeeping is done, no one listens while I talk on the phone. No students interrupt, because my classes last 45 minutes.
The situation doesn't mean I am completely on my own, I still have to plan, teach, be evaluated, and will eventually get paid, for teaching online. Also, I do need to dress professionally and keep a clean background.
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