Siemens (Laureate, 2008) states that distance education enables students to have conversations and participate in communication with diverse and global groups which in turn increases the acceptance of distance education. Online communication has created more effective learning experiences for those choosing to participate and ultimately has provided distance education with an identity of its own. Unlike the traditional face-to-face instructional practices, communication must take place in an efficient timely manner between all members/participants. There is no teacher or facilitator standing over one’s shoulder to remind him/her of impending deadlines and submission requirements.
Students participating in distance learning programs must take the initiative to create positive relationships with fellow students to ensure positive outcomes for courses, specifically through positive communication. Palloff and Pratt (2005) indicate that successful collaborative activity will be most beneficial when students have a place to meet and know the parameters of how connection should occur. The format of Walden’s EDUC7102 does a phenomenal job of outlining expectations for learning communities and communication between members of those assigned learning communities.
Online communication can take place in a variety of ways. Social networking sites which have traditionally been used by people for personal communication have begun to surface in classroom instruction and distance learning programs.
- Facebook: Students can use this networking website to communicate and discuss topics of interests.
- Twitter: Students can use this networking website to communicate and discuss topics in a condensed manner.
- Wikis: Wikis provide online collaboration that would traditionally occur in small group settings. Students are able to have round table discussions without being face-to-face as required in the conventional classroom setting.
- Blogging websites: Students can create their own blogs to discuss and post important assignments, discussions, and information. This allows for communication and collaboration as members of learning communities share their ideas through comments and responses to the original posts.
- Discussion boards: Distance Education programs like that provided by Walden University incorporate discussion boards into all classroom instruction. Students communicate on a weekly basis to ensure understanding on behalf of all participants.
- Skype: Online collaboration occurs through voice, video, and chat calls; instant messaging; file transfer; and video conferencing. This is a very resourceful tool for online programs when collaboration is required within the learning communities.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). The future of distance education. Baltimore: Author.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online learning together in community. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
I can't imagine a world without the ability for online communication now that its evolved to the degree it has. One of its indications includes virtual employment with companies and organizations that are not physically located in the same geographic area as their employees. I was recently hired by an educational institution that is located on the East coast while I live on the West coast. I used Skype with the HR manager to fulfill requirements of the I9 which verifies my authorization to work in the U.S. The continuing advancement of technology has strong implications for the educational community which is indicated in many situations, such as with using Skype to verify my citizenship. If technology had stopped with online learning platforms, that would not have been possible, but thankfully the evolution continues and it becomes easier and easier to communicate and collaborate on a global scale.
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