Distance and Online Education... Not a Second Best Option

Before starting to look into this topic, my knowledge about the methods of learning and technologies used in distance education was very limited. I had no idea about how much of an interactive experience distance learning could be, and how technology was not only being used in many cases to make learning more effective and fun, but also to reduce feelings of isolation through the use of synchronous technology such as videoconferencing. Students enrolled in distance education schools around Australia (and other developed countries) use technologies including CDs, DVDs, videos, telephone, email, online lessons, podcasting, videoconferencing and student online forums as well as old fashioned written materials. Even in rural locations, students are able to take advantage of these technologies due to satellite technology. This page from Broken Hill's School of the Air describes how this technology is being used. Of course, some schools offer more technology based learning than others, but from the level of importance placed on technology and online learning that my research has revealed, I expect increasing emphasis will continue to be put on the use of technology at all levels of learning.

I would also not have guessed that the outcomes being achieved by distance education students would be so impressive. While the direct impact of increased use of technology on distance education students’ academic outcomes is hard to quantify, it seems clear that there is a correlation. In The Impact of Digital Technology, A Review of the Evidence of Digital Technologies on Formal Education, the author states that "though previous summaries from pre-internet studies of distance learning concluded that learning at a distance was at best as effective as classroom, when learning moved online there were positive gains" (Underwood, 2009, p.11).

The sheer number of schools in Australia offering distance education either as their primary focus or as an option was news to me as well. To see how many schools are involved in distance education visit the Australasian Association of Distance Education's website for links to schools in each Australian state.

I came into this assignment with a positive view on distance education despite my ignorance, and that view has been solidified. While the risk of technology being used for technology's sake is an issue in general these days with so many new and exciting technological options being created, from my reading it really seems that the technology used in distance education settings is actually relevant and appropriate, and that the schools not utilizing ICTs fully and well are possibly short-changing their students.

Underwood, J. (2009, November).The Impact of Digital Technology: A review of the evidence of the impact of digital technologies on formal education. Becta. Retrieved from University of Canberra E-Reserve.