Elements of Distance Education
Siemens (Laureate, 2008)
stated that innovations and tools have actually enhanced online learning;
through their ability to enable collaboration and communication with diverse
individuals, in diverse location and diverse time zones. The number of tools and
technological innovations that have emerged over the years have increased the
number of tools that can actually enhance online learning.
If we take a minute and
look at how online learning has progressed, we will see a progression in
collaboration as well. Initially online learning was a lonely road with very
litte interaction between students and their instructors.
Today, students have the ability to
communicate, collaborate, and interact with each other and in a wide variety of
ways. Students can communicate with each other usig discussion boards, blogs,
wikis, or social networking. Now, their are many tools that facilitate
collaborative learing and interaction; these tools include skype, blogs, and
wikis. Collaborative interaction is a significant aspect of online learning.
Collaboration engages learners and helps
learners to develop necessary social skills (Palloff & Pratt, 2005).
Online learning must evolve if it is going to
be a viable quality educational alternative to traditional classroom learning.
Tools such as wikis and blogs are significant tools, tools that have the ability
to create a culture of collaboration and interaction.
Palloff, M., & Pratt, K. (2005).
Collaborating online: Learning together in community. San Francisco, CA:
Jossey-Bass.
Laureate Education, Inc (2008). Principles of
distance education: Distance education: The future of distance education.
Baltimore: Author.
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