Distance Ed for the Next Generation

A new generation of learners is really nothing new. Throughout modern human history technological improvements have made significant changes in our classrooms. Just to get an idea of how transformative changes can be the concept of a 'public school' is relatively new. Education for the masses didn't exist before the 19th century, mainly because there was no institutional or social need for it. As economies became transformed by technological changes then the need to have an educated citizenry, or more importantly an educated workforce became a driving force behind developing places where everyone could gain access to the necessary skills that would make them successful in the new economies. Before this the only 'public' education responded mostly to religious purposes, offered by religious groups looking to disseminate their ideas.

While every generation experiences a 'new way of learning', the changes experienced during the last decades have been rapid and transformative. New tools that facilitate how we access, analyze, transform and share information represent new ways of learning. This has made distance education more accessible and respectable. Increased numbers in enrollment create in turn increased offering. As the market gets more demanding quality must increase as well to guarantee competitiveness for institutions. If, like proposed by the Equivalency Theory presented by Simonson (n.d.) Distance Learning experiences can be equal to traditional learning experiences then many more learners will benefit from the offerings. As an example, there is currently a program offered by NOVANET, a division of Pearson Education that some High Schools in New York City will be using to help students complete graduation requirements. The only way this will work is by showing evidence that the online experience that students will undergo is of similar rigor and quality than that of the classroom. Once piloted, if successful, this program could be a solution to some, not all, students who can not complete high school because of reasons that keep them from attending a building everyday. Emergency travel, sickness, surgery, even early pregnancies keep thousands of students from meeting the requirements in time every year, and if there is any way to help them keep their dreams of graduating with their class alive we must explore it and make it work.

For this new generation mobile is better. While previous generations would prefer to watch a movie in the biggest screen possible we see now how young learners are happy with the reduced screens of their hand held devices. They happily watch a movie or play a game for hours in a screen that is no bigger than a business card. Increased mobility is then a priority, why not use this to create learning experiences? Learning happens everywhere, sometimes being more effective when comfort levels are high. Increased options and flexibility empower learners to become owners and increase responsibility as it is upon the individual to prove they are ready.

Modern societies are interdependent and interconnected. Learning from each other, across cultures and across geographical barriers increases understanding and tolerance. The fact that distance education can put together people from different parts of the world creates a unique opportunity for global collaboration. Building networks is enhanced when discussions and collaborative work includes individuals that live thousands of miles apart. Meeting their needs is challenging, and meeting this challenge will bring upon increased quality in the offerings of future distance education experiences.