Dr. Siemens states that there are three possible elements of distance education: global diversity, communication, and collaborative interaction. I totally agree with his view and I have chosen the element of global diversity to reflect upon.
The world has become a growing global community, and diversity is often at the forefront of many academic discussions that take place in traditional and virtual classrooms. Now more than ever before, students are able to join each other in virtual classrooms from all over the world and celebrate their differences. This new and expanding language of the on-line community serves as an effective tool to create an environment of familiarity among diverse users. For on-line universities this dynamic is especially important. The on-line learning format allows all students to learn diversity from each other. Online learners are able to learn from each of their colleagues about their goals, hopes, dreams, what their lives and education are in their native countries, and what kinds of changes they will experience during their lifetime after graduation. It is about students connecting with the world and creating active learning.
Steve Foerster posted on his e-learner blog an article titled, “Through eLearning, You Can Predict The Future.” Steve acknowledges the rapid global growing of online learning programs within the field of business analysis. He also states, “There's one particular myth about eLearning that has largely gone by the wayside but is still worth countering at every opportunity, and that's that it's only offered by lower tier schools. On the contrary, however, many prestigious schools now offer some programs as on-line education” (Fooerster, 2012). Foerster’s article highlights how prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT is starting to offer free courses on-line based. That is just the beginning. It is the launching platform. Universities are embracing and inviting diverse populations into their virtual classrooms. Students from other continents are completing college programs without ever setting foot in the city where the university is physically located.
In another on-line education blog, I found an article written by Lambeth Hochwald; a freelance journalist, where the author posts a question to young entrepreneurs, “Is online education for young entrepreneurs worth their time?” “Instead of a localized set of students to bond with and bounce ideas off of, online students suggest their networks aren’t limited to any one geographic region. Indeed, some argue they receive a more comprehensive networking experience, as they can connect with students and professors overseas and down the street” (Hochwald, 2012).
Online learning finally brings democracy to education. It gives the student in East L.A., Miami, Martha's Vineyard, Argentina, or Pakistan an equal opportunity to content curriculum and to people with many perspectives.
References:
Foerster, S; (2012). Through eLearning, You Can
Predict The Future. The eLearners News Blog.
Hochwald, L; (2012).
Online Education for Young Entrepreneurs: Worth Your Time? Young Entrepreneurs Blog. Retrieved
from : http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/online-education-for-young-entrepreneurs-worth-your-time/
on June 29th, 2012.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). (n.d.). The future of distance education. [Video Production]. Available from
https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/
