Reflections on Week 2 Readings

Week 2 readings posed a bit of a problem for me.  Technology, its various terms and connotations were difficult to grasp.  This weeks readings introduced me more in depth to the terms “synchronous” and “asynchronous”.  I am learning how technologies are creating efficacy in DE programmes. 

I have seen that asynchronous learning tends to be the most popular in adult education and asynchronous technologies support learning and allow more time for student reflection, collaboration, and student-to-student interactions. However, due to the very nature of distance education it requires the learner to be a solo learner and can lead to a lonely learning experience.  Web 2.0 technologies can bridge this gap successfully.  Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networks, and virtual worlds have become popular and are gradually making their way into the classroom. Instructors need to continually find innovative ways to use these technologies in education.

In synchronous communication I’ve been reading that DE students and instructors are separated through geography, but are learning together at the same time and it occurs in real time.   Successful distance education systems involve interactivity between teacher and students, between students and the learning environment, and among students themselves, as well as active learning in the classroom

Importantly, I can see that the pedagogies of today must reflect the changing technologies of its time and adapt accordingly to be effective in DE.  This can be done through incorporating the use of Web 2.0 tools in the learning process as it affords both the instructor and learners many advantages which includes increased learner participation and collaboration.

My problem is that I can see a major disadvantage in using technologies for example, in developing countries like Africa and Asia, firstly, these countries do not have the capacity for DE as developed countries including but not limited to broadband capacity, access to the internet itself and there is still a lot of knowledge gap in the use of technology to support the learning process and this must be addressed.

A major advantage in my mind is that with this new technologically advanced learning environment learners now have powerful tools for creating their own learning materials or for demonstrating their knowledge and skills.

This OMDE course in general tells me that the learning experience for a learner is both a personal and a social activity.  Not sure I’m loving the social aspect, but definitely loving the learning aspect to be social!