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Learning at a distance or close up? I admit I'm a little biased – I believe in distance education. I think it has great potential, especially for adult education. What else offers us such scheduling flexibility, lets us learn from experts far away from our small towns, or connects us with students from such widely varied backgrounds? Having been given a chance to test it in my job, I'm learning to live the "virtual" life, too. I have several computers and am very much connected to the outside world – I have a fax and a phone (and a large phone bill!), and I have email up to my ears. Some weeks go by without my physically being in my office or meeting with anyone. I really want it to work! The truth is that it doesn't always. Until you're not there, you just don't notice how much happens on an impromptu basis in an office – or a classroom. Chance comments, looks, encounters are intangible occurrences that can make a huge difference in your mood, in how you're perceived by others, or even in the turn of events. I find that sometimes I just need to sit with people face-to-face – to brainstorm, to laugh, to understand. Sometimes I just need to remind people I exist. So I have to admit that there are benefits to both these physical and virtual lives. And I think the best solutions mix them in varying proportions. Even corporate e-learning advocates have discovered the benefits of the hybrid approach. Organizations such as the eLearning Forum get together each month to discuss e-learning issues, but they supplement and extend these meetings with video conferencing for those who can't attend, as well as with webcasts and an ongoing web forum. The technology exists to make it work. The best solutions find comfortable, effective ways to use the technology to facilitate learning while incorporating our social needs. The most effective use of distance education seems to be as a supplement (or a starting point), rather than a substitute, to the classroom experience. This is indicated by the increasing number of hybrid programs popping up in schools around the world. Such programs run the gamut from mostly distance learning with one or two class meetings, to mostly classroom learning extended by web exchanges. There are graduate international business programs that get students from all over the world together once each term in one of the participating institutions, somewhere in the world! There are undergraduate business programs that have students meet once a week, but continue the classroom dialogue online. There are archaeology and art history programs that let students study through the web, but get together for a field trip each year. True, this sometimes reduces the primary distance education benefit of eliminating space barriers. But with good planning, the face-to-face opportunities can be adventures in themselves. If you look carefully, you should find a program that works for your learning style and within your schedule and budget. 2/06/02 TOP |
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