Module 2

George Siemens discussed the widening acceptance for distance education in both the business world and educational fields. Distance education is creating learning opportunities for many students by giving them the option to participate in a flexible and engaging learning environment. Three elements have been identified that give online learning communities their own individuality: Communication, global diversity and collaboration.

I agree with his view of online learning communities, especially the element of collaboration among peers and instructors and how that coincides with the success of the course.  Having the ability to communicate and work successfully with one another will hopefully build collaborative skills that can be applied into the work place. Communication has evolved greatly over the past century; first with writing letters, the telephone, computers and now the new smart phone and social media technology. Now with the increased implementation of distance education we will begin to see the quality of collaboration and communication increase (Laureate Education Inc., 2008).

There are many tools that come into play to support collaboration in an online community: blogs, wikis, you tube, Google, social media, web conferencing (i.e. skype) and the list continues. With these new technologies the geography no longer prevents communication.

Here is a site that outlines the history of communication. It is very interesting to see how it has progressed. http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bl_history_of_communication.htm

Also, here is a blog that I have found about good and great communication skills. http://www.communicationskillsblog.com/

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Author.

Posting to the following blogs: Martha Thibodeau and Kimberly Arlia