With technological advances made in communication and information processing, distance education is improving and directing more students to choose e-learning as an alternative to traditional schooling. Acording to Moller, Huett, Foshay and Coleman (2008), instructional design fails to yield effective learning in distance education. The authors suggested a move to the next generation in order to keep up with 21st Century innovations and technologies that would enhance learning and make it effective. I believe that there is a need to adapt instructional design with innovations and new technologies. I concede with the authors mentioned above, that distance education should evolve towards the next generation. Obsolete learning strategies would not be conducive to effifient learning.
Simonson (2000) asserts that distance education will not entirely replace traditional education. The evolution of distance education requires an improved instructional design that cater for designers needs for learning theory, process in order to produce the best learning environment.
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. Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article’s title.
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. Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article’s title.
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.Use the Academic Search Premier database, and search using the article’s title.
Simonson, M. (2000). Making decisions: The use of electronic technology in online classes. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 84, 29–34.
