The Evolution of Distance Education in Higher Learning

Distance learning, often referred to as online education, has evolved tremendously from its humble beginnings wherein educational institutions completed all business through snail mail. With the power of the internet, there is an emerging trend called the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) -- classes that are offered by private vendors in consortium with established higher education institutions and are accessible to students worldwide. Mobile technologies continue to prosper, offering another online learning landscape called mobile learning (mLearning).  To further understand its concept, we’ll review the evolution of online learning and potential future of the trend below.

THE PAST

Mail Me Now, Study Later Through Postal Services (Snail Mail)

In an infograph presented by Rasmussen College, the first recorded case of distance education took place way back in 1728. Recovering an advertisement from the 1728 publication of the Boston Gazette, “it is stated that Caleb Phillips, a teacher of new methods of Short Handwriting, was seeking students for lessons to be sent weekly.” Delivering instructional materials in this endeavor was made possible via postal mail.

Education In A Box: Live Radio Shows

The invention of radio in 1884 has signaled the technology’s golden era. But it wasn’t until 1921 that colleges begin using radio shows as a medium in delivering distance education to its students. In this setup, the professors broadcast their lectures using radio frequencies while the students are simultaneously listening at home as audiences. This was made possible after the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted the first educational radio licenses to the state universities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Salt Lake City.

The University of Television: The Birth of Virtual Campuses

In 1963, FCC created the Instructional Television Fixed Service (ITFS), a low-cost, subscriber-based system utilize by academic institutions to make use of TV sets in broadcasting courses. The first one to apply this method was the California State University System. This was considered as a major leap in distance learning because as compared to the Radio, TV employs both visual and audio elements in delivering courses to their students. 

Articulated Instructional Media (AIM): Textbooks And Instructional Modules

Started by the University of Wisconsin in 1964, the AIM Project is the first attempt of revolutionizing distance learning by using textbooks and instructional modules. These textbooks are categorized through subjects and are systematized by dividing the lessons into volumes and/or chapters.

The Internet: The Shift To Online Education

According to evolution-of-distance-learning.com, the birth of the world wide web has catalyzed “online education over the information superhighway, which later is renamed the Internet.” This is the start of a more dynamic learning.

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE

Mobile Deployment

“Aside from the information available via Internet search engines; there are thousands of educational apps that turn tablets into specialized private tutors,” wrote Verizon’s public relations manager Chuck Hamby. In this article entitled “Top Tip for Finals: Education Apps Turn Tablets into Tutors,” Hamby said that students are able to make their college life easier, especially during examinations. Today, some educators are able to create their own applications for their class, highlighting the top lessons, which makes the learning more conducive for students.

MOOCs and Social Media

Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are web-based internet courses that offer similar services to a full-fledge college. It uses a multi-platform website that combines articles, online books, podcast, and video recordings of lectures in one place.

With the continuous patronage on social media sites, these are now leveraged in college classes. There are professors that are maximizing the collaborative features of these sites to facilitate lessons, examinations, and class interactions. Connecting with students is made easier also.

Cloud-based Learning Management System

As a way to replace printed literatures, modules and other learning resources, the cloud-based learning management system is being used for faster collaboration with students. Using cloud services like Google Drive and DropBox, professors can simply email a link to their students to access the required audio/video materials. Online examinations can also be sent through this platform.

As you've seen, technology has become a vital factor in revolutionizing distance education. As it develops, more and more methods are being discovered by online learning institutions to provide a flexible and more collaborative learning environment in higher education. How do you see the future?

(Image and article courtesy of Regearlearning.blogspot.com)