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LouAnn Morris Distance Education 7102-12/29/2010

Erica's Blog 12/29/2010

Distance education is opening the doors to communication around the globe. The “ability to communicate with diverse global groups” (Laureate Education. 2008.) brings a viable and bankable experience to online learning. The corporate model continues to expand work and communication in global capacities (Laureate Education. 2008). If an education can provide experience that mirrors the same experience many students will need for success in the work force, it emphasizes the value and pertinence of the education they are receiving.

The element of diverse global communication in distance education has evolved through the years. A key characteristic of this growth is the emergence of the “Net generation” (Hutchinson, Tin, & Cao. 2010). This generation of students has extensive experience with online communication, new technological tools, and is comfortable with online communication (Laureate Education. 2008). As distance education incorporates the tools and technologies that many potential students are already comfortable with, the accessibility of distance education becomes more appealing. A large percentage of people are connected (Hutchinson, Tin, & Cao. 2010) thus integrating familiar technology into education provides engaging and relevant learning to the potential student. Acceptance of new technologies by the people targeted for online education helps propel the advancement of these technologies in distance education.

References

Hutchinson, M., Tin, T., & Cao, Y. from Anderson, T. (Ed.). (2008). The theory and practice of online learning. (2nd ed.). Edmonton, AB: Athabasca University Press.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Author.