E-learning: Past and Future
Jesus Ledezma
The history of online education can be traced to the 19th century when European and American universities started correspondence courses. As the population in urban areas grew, so did the demand for education. Universities then created educational programs in radio and television, technologies that had the potential to reach more people with a lower cost. According to Chung (2005), during the 1980’s university courses were offered via real-time satellite communication. Classrooms were equipped with broadcasting systems that could be found in any television studio. Although this mode of instruction is not so common today, it is still used for teleconferences.
With the development of the computer, companies started to train their workers through computer instruction. They used PowerPoint presentations and similar programs to make the material easier to learn. Soon, educational institutes realized the latent instrument they had in computers to promote education and make it more accessible for everyone. When the World Wide Web became available, companies created e-training for their employees, and a few months later universities came up with e-learning, which basically had the same basis as e-training but with different content, academically oriented.
Today, with tools such as videos, blogs and chat rooms, online education has become popular not just among the youngsters, but among returning students who have to work and/or take care of other responsibilities like family. E-learning gives time flexibility to students, it is accessible from any place in the world that has internet access, it is affordable and opens the door of knowledge without having to go to a college campus.
Online education is one of those things that will stay for a very long time. It is impossible to imagine the technology we will have in two hundred years from now, but in our lifetime e-learning will keep being and growing as an important factor in education. Edelson (2004), states that affordable computers, the development of multimedia and improved software programs will increase student participation in online education. Nothing is perfect and online education is not the exception to the rule. There are still certain concerns about the way e-learning works. Over time, those concerns will be resolved or we will just simply adapt to live with them. A good example would be flying on airplanes: they are safe, fast and efficient, but there is always the risk of an accident, and that is something we cannot control entirely.
Reference List
Chung, Q.B. (2005). Sage on the stage in the digital age: The role of online lecture in distance learning. Electronic journal of e-learning, volume 3, 1-14. Retrieved on November 22, 2008 from, http://www.ejel.org/volume-3/v3-i1/v3-i1-art1-chung.pdf
Edelson, J. (2004). The future of online education in the USA. Retrieved on November 22, 2008 from, http://www.sunysb.edu/spd/dean_papers/finland.pdf
United States Distance Learning Association. (n.d.) United States Distance Learning Association. Retrieved on November 22, 2008 from, http://www.usdla.org/timeline/start.html
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2 comments:
Along with being such a great way to allow more people the time and ability to learn on their time, has eLearning caused a new form of 'laziness'? I think the less people have to travel or be involved, the less likely they will commit to the higher purpose of this learning experience. Im not trying to single out anyone, but even for myself I feel that by not having to go to class I am more free to limit my involvement or devotion to the online classes I am in.
Tyler makes a great point, have online classes just started to become an alternative to regular classes. There are many schools that are becoming completely online. I did not really need to take this course online but it was easier for me to take more credits if one or more of the classes are online. I feel that people are becoming lazier in general, so if people don't have to leave the comfort of their own home to do school work it may tempt them to take courses.
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