Distance Education and the Next Generation

The next generation is in dire need for distance education programs. Through the articles written by Moller, Foshay, and Huett (et al), one can definitely see this to be true. These articles show that the technologies available in distance education will help to target a larger audience than in more traditional formats. In fact, in these articles, Moller gives us the idea that various and new ways in using technologies must be accepted by educators and basically if educators use these technologies in the same way as they did before rather than in a more efficient manner then that is wasteful (Moller, 2008). Learning new technologies related to distance education might be a hindrance for some educators, but these educators are becoming few and far between.

In the video by Dr. Simonson, he states that distance education is becoming more and more widely accepted (Laureate Education, 2008). I feel this to be very true as several of my peers have stated in their views of distance education and this video. With computers being in most homes, with reliable Internet access, there is no reason that distance education programs cannot thrive in our technology driven society.

The evolution of distance education into the next generation is already happening, in my viewpoint. The positions of the authors of the articles and the video seem to hit the head on the nail, so to speak. Distance education programs are going to be essential in the development of leaders for the business, education and political industries. For these reasons, we as educators must assist the process in evolving distance education programs to the next generation.