Comments on: Considering Distance http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/ Technology is neither the problem nor the solution. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 01:24:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Kim Clevinger http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-10794 Kim Clevinger Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:34:46 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-10794 (I didn't put my last name on the first one so I wanted to correct that).... Today, distance is so much different than what it probably meant before the age of the Internet. I think the biggest factor that contributes to distance is our personal views and what we are “used to”. I live in a rural area and it takes me about 35 minutes to get to work. When asked how long it takes me, many people say “I could never drive that far”. To me, it is not far. I have lived in this same area all of my life and I don’t consider it distant — it is just another drive to work. I know no different, so it doesn’t bother me. Therefore, I think what we have adapted to is what guides our decision on the thought of distance. As for the thoughts on distance learning. Take this class for example. I have had e-mail conversations with Mr. Lowell many times concerning the class. I already feel as if I know him. He has always been friendly and prompt with replies. This hasn’t always been the case with many traditional classes I have taken (where you can just walk into the professors office to ask questions). Communication definitely makes a difference in setting the class environment of distance education. Leave a Reply (I didn’t put my last name on the first one so I wanted to correct that)….
Today, distance is so much different than what it probably meant before the age of the Internet. I think the biggest factor that contributes to distance is our personal views and what we are “used to”. I live in a rural area and it takes me about 35 minutes to get to work. When asked how long it takes me, many people say “I could never drive that far”. To me, it is not far. I have lived in this same area all of my life and I don’t consider it distant — it is just another drive to work. I know no different, so it doesn’t bother me. Therefore, I think what we have adapted to is what guides our decision on the thought of distance. As for the thoughts on distance learning. Take this class for example. I have had e-mail conversations with Mr. Lowell many times concerning the class. I already feel as if I know him. He has always been friendly and prompt with replies. This hasn’t always been the case with many traditional classes I have taken (where you can just walk into the professors office to ask questions). Communication definitely makes a difference in setting the class environment of distance education.
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]]> By: Kim http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-10769 Kim Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:14:33 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-10769 Today, distance is so much different than what it probably meant before the age of the Internet. I think the biggest factor that contributes to distance is our personal views and what we are "used to". I live in a rural area and it takes me about 35 minutes to get to work. When asked how long it takes me, many people say "I could never drive that far". To me, it is not far. I have lived in this same area all of my life and I don't consider it distant -- it is just another drive to work. I know no different, so it doesn't bother me. Therefore, I think what we have adapted to is what guides our decision on the thought of distance. As for the thoughts on distance learning. Take this class for example. I have had e-mail conversations with Mr. Lowell many times concerning the class. I already feel as if I know him. He has always been friendly and prompt with replies. This hasn't always been the case with many traditional classes I have taken (where you can just walk into the professors office to ask questions). Communication definitely makes a difference in setting the class environment of distance education. Today, distance is so much different than what it probably meant before the age of the Internet. I think the biggest factor that contributes to distance is our personal views and what we are “used to”. I live in a rural area and it takes me about 35 minutes to get to work. When asked how long it takes me, many people say “I could never drive that far”. To me, it is not far. I have lived in this same area all of my life and I don’t consider it distant — it is just another drive to work. I know no different, so it doesn’t bother me. Therefore, I think what we have adapted to is what guides our decision on the thought of distance. As for the thoughts on distance learning. Take this class for example. I have had e-mail conversations with Mr. Lowell many times concerning the class. I already feel as if I know him. He has always been friendly and prompt with replies. This hasn’t always been the case with many traditional classes I have taken (where you can just walk into the professors office to ask questions). Communication definitely makes a difference in setting the class environment of distance education.

]]> By: Elizabeth Freeman http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-10747 Elizabeth Freeman Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:23:41 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-10747 I think that personal feelings make me feel closer to some areas/people than others. I live about two hours from my parents, yet the drive seems to take no time, but if I tell someone I am making a day trip they are like UGH! To them that seems like a long day, but it me it's familiar. There are people that I see and talk to on a daily basis that aren't as familiar as a friend that lives 8 1/2 hours away that I only get to see about two times a year. When we do see each other it seems as if we are around each other everyday. Growing up in Pike County, KY I got used to Christamas shopping or just shopping for fun 2-3 hours from home. The closest "city" was that far away so traveling 2-3 hours for something is nothing for me. I think that personal feelings make me feel closer to some areas/people than others. I live about two hours from my parents, yet the drive seems to take no time, but if I tell someone I am making a day trip they are like UGH! To them that seems like a long day, but it me it’s familiar. There are people that I see and talk to on a daily basis that aren’t as familiar as a friend that lives 8 1/2 hours away that I only get to see about two times a year. When we do see each other it seems as if we are around each other everyday. Growing up in Pike County, KY I got used to Christamas shopping or just shopping for fun 2-3 hours from home. The closest “city” was that far away so traveling 2-3 hours for something is nothing for me.

]]> By: carla http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-10734 carla Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:32:10 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-10734 Now that I am finally figuring this thing out, I am able to join in. When i saw that Dr. Lowell was in CO. I thought that was wonderful. I didn't like the fact that I have achieved my undergrad and MA from the same university. Although I know they were in different subject, I think diversity is grand. New ideas, new processes and new people away from the little town of Morehead that may have a new view to stuff. I look foward to my classes this semester I just hope that patience is around. Now that I am finally figuring this thing out, I am able to join in. When i saw that Dr. Lowell was in CO. I thought that was wonderful. I didn’t like the fact that I have achieved my undergrad and MA from the same university. Although I know they were in different subject, I think diversity is grand. New ideas, new processes and new people away from the little town of Morehead that may have a new view to stuff. I look foward to my classes this semester I just hope that patience is around.

]]> By: phaedrus » Blog Archive » Breaking It Down http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-10730 phaedrus » Blog Archive » Breaking It Down Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:21:48 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-10730 [...] Considering Distance for some additional questions you might fold into your thinking about distance [...] [...] Considering Distance for some additional questions you might fold into your thinking about distance [...]

]]> By: Considering Considering Distance « Ennaxor314’s Weblog http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-4957 Considering Considering Distance « Ennaxor314’s Weblog Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:11:12 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-4957 [...] Considering Considering Distance I just read the post on Considering Distance:  http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/.  I have been thinking about this myself lately.  I recently moved so that I would be closer to work.  I had been getting really tired of the “long” drive of about 45 minutes one-way.  After my move, I am now only about 20 minutes away, but I did not get the satisfaction I was counting on.  It still feels like a long drive, and I can’t figure out why.  [...] [...] Considering Considering Distance I just read the post on Considering Distance:  http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/.  I have been thinking about this myself lately.  I recently moved so that I would be closer to work.  I had been getting really tired of the “long” drive of about 45 minutes one-way.  After my move, I am now only about 20 minutes away, but I did not get the satisfaction I was counting on.  It still feels like a long drive, and I can’t figure out why.  [...]

]]> By: Joe McConda http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-4913 Joe McConda Sun, 26 Aug 2007 01:54:48 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-4913 I just read "Cinsidering Distance" again and I had to respond again. The first day I started working on this class I noticed that Dr. Lowell's location was Colorado. That struck me in a negative way, thinking "Shouldn't I have a local professor that I could actually talk to face to face if I needed to?" Later I was having trouble getting connected to some of these technical tools and was getting frustrated. I saw that Dr. Lowell was on IM so I told him my problem and he was very personable and helpful. I even saw some of his frustration with the technology. I realized I was talking "face to face" with a human being. Maybe this says some more about distance education. I just read “Cinsidering Distance” again and I had to respond again. The first day I started working on this class I noticed that Dr. Lowell’s location was Colorado. That struck me in a negative way, thinking “Shouldn’t I have a local professor that I could actually talk to face to face if I needed to?” Later I was having trouble getting connected to some of these technical tools and was getting frustrated. I saw that Dr. Lowell was on IM so I told him my problem and he was very personable and helpful. I even saw some of his frustration with the technology. I realized I was talking “face to face” with a human being. Maybe this says some more about distance education.

]]> By: Jennifer http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-4898 Jennifer Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:14:44 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-4898 My commute to work is 45 minutes and everyone there just thinks that is horrible. They are always asking "How can you stand to drive that far?" "Can't you get a job there?" To me it is not that big of deal. It really is not that far. I like it because it gives me time to gear up for the morning and to loose the problems of the day. I do not take my job home with me this way. My Aunt lives in Dayton, OH and it takes us 3 hours to drive there. I love to go visit my cousins and see there smiling faces, but we do not make the trip often. Everyone else in my family thinks that it is a long distance and are not up for it. I like going so much that it is just a hop, skip, and jump to me. Distance is only as far as you precieve it to be. The places I have talked about are not that far, but seem far to some. I think that no matter how far it is to somewhere, if it is important to you it really isn't that far. My commute to work is 45 minutes and everyone there just thinks that is horrible. They are always asking “How can you stand to drive that far?” “Can’t you get a job there?” To me it is not that big of deal. It really is not that far. I like it because it gives me time to gear up for the morning and to loose the problems of the day. I do not take my job home with me this way.

My Aunt lives in Dayton, OH and it takes us 3 hours to drive there. I love to go visit my cousins and see there smiling faces, but we do not make the trip often. Everyone else in my family thinks that it is a long distance and are not up for it. I like going so much that it is just a hop, skip, and jump to me.

Distance is only as far as you precieve it to be. The places I have talked about are not that far, but seem far to some. I think that no matter how far it is to somewhere, if it is important to you it really isn’t that far.

]]> By: Remona http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-4887 Remona Sat, 25 Aug 2007 04:41:04 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-4887 When I have an especially fond memory of a place, I fell like it is closer than the actual physical measurement of distance. For example, In 2004, Gloria and I went with Kentucky Institute of International Studies to Spain and she and I took a little side trip to Paris. We had a wonderful time. That has been over three years, but sometimes I can picture the streets of Segovia (where we housed with a wonderful señora named Josefina) and Madrid and it seems like I remember everything about our stays there. It's like I know the place by heart, so to speak. I can picture the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in much the same way. The trip was one of the best times of my life. Those places are some 4,000 miles away, but I feel like I would know my way around if I flew there tomorrow. So, I think that creating a positive atmosphere is a big consideration in teaching distance learning classes. Of course if students arem't learning very well, they may dread logging on. However, an encouraging and optimistic atmosphere would make them feel welcome. In this distance learning environment, many of us are new to the technologies that we are learning which gives us a shared commonality. I think the hope would be that the same conditions would exist in other distance learning classes so that students could develop supportive and understanding relationships with each other. When I have an especially fond memory of a place, I fell like it is closer than the actual physical measurement of distance. For example, In 2004, Gloria and I went with Kentucky Institute of International Studies to Spain and she and I took a little side trip to Paris. We had a wonderful time. That has been over three years, but sometimes I can picture the streets of Segovia (where we housed with a wonderful señora named Josefina) and Madrid and it seems like I remember everything about our stays there. It’s like I know the place by heart, so to speak. I can picture the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre in much the same way. The trip was one of the best times of my life. Those places are some 4,000 miles away, but I feel like I would know my way around if I flew there tomorrow.

So, I think that creating a positive atmosphere is a big consideration in teaching distance learning classes. Of course if students arem’t learning very well, they may dread logging on. However, an encouraging and optimistic atmosphere would make them feel welcome.

In this distance learning environment, many of us are new to the technologies that we are learning which gives us a shared commonality. I think the hope would be that the same conditions would exist in other distance learning classes so that students could develop supportive and understanding relationships with each other.

]]> By: Lexie http://durandus.com/phaedrus/2006/08/24/considering-distance/#comment-4880 Lexie Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:01:16 +0000 http://durandus.com/phaedrus/?p=7#comment-4880 I don't know...distance is relative. I think it has to be your outlook and attitude that sets it apart. I don't really think that distance is one of the those things that you can put an acutal description on. Everyone's perception of distance is different. I know that growing up, I literally lived in the backseat of a car. My parents were big travelers and we saw almost the whole country by car. We even drove to Alaska! Now that was a long distance trip, I don't know that anyone would disagree with me! Kentucky to Alaska is a long trip for anyone. I remember that I had read so many books along the way, that when we stopped in Wall, South Dakota that my father went and bought me the thickest book he could find to try and save money. I read "Little Women" and loved every moment of it. What a great time. My best friend and I were even talking about it today. We went to college in Clemson South Carolina together and she lives in New York and I live in KY, and we might as well live next door to each other. I can even go weeks and two months without talking to her and feel the same toward her. Is this the connection between us that eliminates the distance, I would argue yes. You can feel close to anyone if the desire is there. I don’t know…distance is relative. I think it has to be your outlook and attitude that sets it apart. I don’t really think that distance is one of the those things that you can put an acutal description on. Everyone’s perception of distance is different. I know that growing up, I literally lived in the backseat of a car. My parents were big travelers and we saw almost the whole country by car. We even drove to Alaska! Now that was a long distance trip, I don’t know that anyone would disagree with me! Kentucky to Alaska is a long trip for anyone. I remember that I had read so many books along the way, that when we stopped in Wall, South Dakota that my father went and bought me the thickest book he could find to try and save money. I read “Little Women” and loved every moment of it. What a great time.

My best friend and I were even talking about it today. We went to college in Clemson South Carolina together and she lives in New York and I live in KY, and we might as well live next door to each other. I can even go weeks and two months without talking to her and feel the same toward her. Is this the connection between us that eliminates the distance, I would argue yes. You can feel close to anyone if the desire is there.

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