Topic 2: History and Context of Distributed and Open Learning

I learned a lot from the distributed learning and open learning history outlined in the two readings. I have found that each era has a different approach that teachers can choose as the basis for the model. In ā€œTeaching Online ā€“ A Guide to Theory, Research, and Practiceā€, the authors break down each individual course model into the following descriptors; Enrollment, Amount, Timing, Platform, and Pathway. Each step corresponds to a different learning method and what to do at this stage. The two that stand out and change dramatically are timing and platform. Time describes how students will navigate the course. In synchronous timed courses, students must follow a schedule specified by the teacher, which is very suitable for students who like fixed-structure education and students with poor self-control. Students can learn step by step according to the teacher’s steps without falling behind the course. Asynchronous time courses are preferred by more students. All course information is listed from the beginning, and students can choose the right time to learn the content according to their own time. This type of program is great for organized and self-driven students. Tutors also mostly have two choices for the platform; offering or student choice. Although students choose the platform themselves can be a good way to demonstrate the diversity of their understanding, I tend to provide a work platform for the tutor, which can be a good way to follow the teacher’s guidance to learn, and step by step to check the lack of self.

In ā€œOpenness and Education: A beginnersā€™ guideā€, the article that attracted me from the beginning was a timeline of the historical evolution of open education. The first phase of the movement began in England in the early 1970s. From “distance education and open learning” in the 1980s to “E-Learning and online online education” in the 1990s, and finally to the interpretation of open learning. Open learning in different eras adheres to the “learner-centred pedagogy”. The strengths and weaknesses of each era’s teaching model are referenced and refined in the new era development to best fit the current learning framework.

Whether it’s distributed learning or open learning, both approaches are playing a huge role now during the COVID-19 pandemic. The school has also launched an unprecedented all-online curriculum and makes good use of distributed learning and open learning models. In addition to that, these learning models can be leveraged well in future jobs, where I can break down each individual job requirement into amount, timing, platform, and pathway. Refer to the learning model can help me to finish my work faster and better,Ā  and also can clarifying the progress and completion of the work.

 

Reference

Major, C. H. (2015).Ā Teaching Online ā€“ A Guide to Theory, Research, and Practice. Retrieved fromĀ http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uvic/detail.action?docID=3318874Ā (pp. 76-108)

Jordan, K. & Weller, M. (2017).Ā Openness and Education: A beginnersā€™ guide.Ā Global OER Graduate Network.

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