In one of the required readings for Module 1, Moore and Kearsley claim that we often conflate technology and media, where instead, they each serve a different purpose: “Technology is the physical vehicle that carries messages, and the messages are represented in a medium” (Basic concepts, 2005, p. 7). After making this distinction, they go on to propose that high-quality content is more important than the way it is delivered. Our fascination with new technology often leads us to jump in head first to try it out, without necessarily evaluating whether or not it is the best way to deliver the content.
Multimedia platforms can really help to personalize distance education. One of the faculty members I work with is a literature professor. He records himself reading some of the required poems so that his online students become familiar with his voice, and experience an oral interpretation – almost a performance—of the work.
At the same time, there are limitations that make use of both technology and media difficult. I work at a community college, and many of our students do not have computers at home. They use the computers in the library and the labs on campus, or they use their cell phones to access the internet. While I do not disagree with Moore and Kearsley about the importance of high-quality content, I do think that a digital divide still exists and must be considered when preparing materials for distance education. This was in the back of my mind during the Module 2a discussions about asynchronous and synchronous learning – without a computer and/or a private space to participate in an online webinar, synchronous learning may not be an option for some students.
In addition, students with special needs must be considered. When I have created online tutorials (podcasts or videos), I have provided transcripts as well. I have to admit, though, that I have not made accommodations when I have presented an online webinar, and am not entirely sure how that kind of presentation could be made fully accessible.
I have come to realize that it is important to make a deliberate choice about how to deliver content, and that this actually applies to both distance education and face-to-face teaching.
Moore, M. G., & Kearsley, G. (2005). Basic concepts. Distance education: A systems view (pp. 1-22). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
To a great extent, I do agree with Moore and Kearsley's assertion that high quality content is more important than the medium by which it is delivered. Technology can enhance a student’s acquisition of skills and content knowledge greatly when used to deliver well-designed and well-managed instruction. (Hasselbring & Glaser, 2000, p. 107) One of the greatest issues that we face, while recognizing the impact that technology has for instruction, is the dilemma of the digital divide which exists not just because of economics but also race, age and locality. In fact, there is actually what is known as a "global digital divide" which “describes the unequal distribution of information and communication technology across nations, commonly described as the "gap between the information
ReplyDeletehaves and have-nots." (Ali, 2011, p. 188). Unfortunately until there infrastructure is built that will make the internet more accessible and until the price of technology is such that it is more affordable, there will be a 'digital divide'.
I forgot to include these references in the previous comment:
ReplyDeleteAli, A. (2011). The Power of Social Media in Developing Nations: New Tools for Closing the Global Digital Divide and Beyond. Harvard Human Rights Journal, 24(1), 185-219.
Hasselbring, T.S. & Glaser, C. (2000). Use of computer technology to help students with
special needs. Children and computer technology (10)2, 102-122. Retrieved October 12, 2012
from http://www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren
Thanks for your comments, Valerie, and for the article references. The first one looks particularly interesting.
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteThat article talks about the role of social media during the unrest in Egypt. It is interesting because when the former President of Egypt shut off the internet, instead of curtailing communication, it actually increased communication because the Egyptians took to social media, particularly Facebook, to communicate to the outside world and keep them informed about what was happening there. I don't know if this is still true, but the article stated that this was one of time when the largest use of FB occurred.
That makes me think of the "green revolution" in Iran a few years ago, when Twitter was heavily used by activists to organize protests and communicate. Social media can certainly be a powerful tool.
ReplyDelete