Comments on: Definition of Distance Ed

By: Kim Clevinger

Kim Clevinger — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:15:45 +0000

Tim had a very good thought on this. Learning and education are definitely two different things. We can educate others but that doesn’t mean they are learning.

By: lowell

lowell — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:40:21 +0000

Yup.

That’s it exactly.

It’s why I differentiate between the terms Distance Education and Distance Learning. Many use the terms interchangeably but they mean different things.

Education is what’s done to a student.

Learning is what a learner does to him/herself.

By: Tim Toews

Tim Toews — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:32:21 +0000

I think the difference here may be in the clarification on what we are trying to do. Are we trying to educate a student, or are we trying to help them learn. There is a difference between education and learning. Learning is a process and it may not be something that neccessarily can be delivered in a book, email, chat, podcast, whatever. Education, on the other hand, is a mass-produced effort to impart a particular set of terms and knowledge on a particular subject to a particular group. You can educate in many different ways, but learning may or may not take place. Rote stored knowledge is not the same as learning.

By: phaedrus » Blog Archive » Definition of Distance Ed

phaedrus » Blog Archive » Definition of Distance Ed — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:26:02 +0000

[...] wrap up the week on Definition and History, here’s my take on the definition of distance ed: phaedrus » Blog Archive » Definition of Distance Ed There isn’t a valid one because the construct of “distance education” is meaningless. Sure, [...]

By: Joe McConda

Joe McConda — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:43:46 +0000

I believe I understand what you’re saying. Learning is learning and when it takes place, it makes no difference where the teacher is….the learning takes place within the individual. You know, something you said early on was that with this course, we would ALWAYS be in class. I have found that to be very true. I was thinking during church on Sunday……and a stream of thoughts was going through my mind. It struck me that distance learning is very old indeed and that communication, whether face to face or from a distance, is the key to a relationship and a relationship is key to transference of knowledge. One’s relationship to God depends on communication that comes from His word and through those who study His word. A person cannot know Him without communicating with him. While one cannot see Him, this communication keeps Him close and causes us to learn and experience the knowledge of Him. If a person chooses not to avail himself to the resources available, distance creeps in and there is silence. To keep the relationship strong and viable, one must continue to invest time and thought about the Word provided. While one cannot see or touch the teacher, the experience is there nontheless and the learning takes place within the individual. It is part of you and not distant.
Like I said, just thinking about things and making connections personally. Somehow, I think it relates very well.

By: How can we change teacher’s minds? « Madscientist’s Log

How can we change teacher’s minds? « Madscientist’s Log — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:10:04 +0000

[...] September 3rd, 2007 Alright I must admit that I really liked the ending quote in Dr. Lowell’s blog “You learn by making things part of you. If it’s part of you, how can it be distant?” If we take an objective point of view of education and focus on the goals that teachers are to achieve, it does not matter how the learning takes place. [...]

By: Gloria Newsome

Gloria Newsome — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 14:43:41 +0000

I am beginning to see what you mean and I have to agree that all learning is just learning. I too have been thinking about it based on my experiences and my content. However, as I look at the example definition, I realize that in order to differentiate within my classroom, I use the majority of those methods of instruction while we are present in the classroom. So what is the difference? I have to agree that it is “all” education and we do what ever it takes to help our students learn.

By: lowell

lowell — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:48:33 +0000

All *EDUCATION* happens at a distance. Education involves more than one person, and as soon as you try to communicate anything between people, you have distance involved.

NO learning happens at a distance because all learning is INSIDE you.

By: Pam Callahan

Pam Callahan — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 11:49:19 +0000

I like what Barbara said “All learning takes place at a distance,” and what Dr. Lowell said about learning is making things a part of you. When I did my definition of distance learning, I think that it was very limited based on my prior experience. My definition was more concrete, when really, learning experiences are very abstract. I feel that this course has increased my experience in “distance learning” tenfold. I am already applying the technology I have learned in creating lessons for my students.

By: Barbara Nantz

Barbara Nantz — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 22:47:08 +0000

I think I finally understand what you are trying to say. When you are being educated you are learning, but all learning takes place at a distance, so distance learning is the same as just learning itself. So we should change the name of what we are doing from “distance learning courses” to “learning courses”. Am I right??