Journal #4: Distance Learning

Point/Counterpoint: Is Distance Learning Effective? by Jean Kiekel and Diane Stelacio

The article that I read was “Is Distance Learning Effective?” by Jean Kiekel and Diane Stelacio (from the September 2007 issue of Learning and Leading with Technology.) This article has two different takes on whether distance learning (mainly online learning) is an effective learning/teaching tool. The first author (Ms. Kiekel) feels that distance learning is a wonderful tool that allows students to learn in a way that best fits their learning styles (which is especially important for gifted and disabled students.) She also feels that smaller schools and more rural or isolated schools would most benefit from these types of programs because it allows them “to increase the number and depth of courses offered to students without increasing the size of their faculty or school buildings.”
Ms. Stelacio agrees with Ms. Kiekel on most point. Although she does not feel that distance learning is more or less effective then onsite instruction; she does believe that distance learning could be a helpful alternative to give student access to a verity of programs that they might not be able to have at their own school. She also thinks that it gives student to find their best way to learn. On a whole she feels that “online learning is a viable alternative promoting individual growth while expanding the classroom boundaries”.
Overall there dose not seem to be much disagreement between the two authors. They both feel that distance learning is effective, just not necessarily more so that a traditional in school environment.

Questions:
1.) Q: Do you think that distance learning could replace onsite instruction?
A: I think that distance learning could be a great tool for some students, especially in cases where their school does not offer as many different of extracurricular courses, but I do not think that it would ever overtake onsite instruction. The face-to-face interaction between teachers and students is too important and (for the most part) I do not think that too many middle school or high school students have the self dedication to basically work on their own.

2.) Q: who do you think would most benefit from distance learning?
A: I agree with Diane Stelacio in that I think that students who do not have equal access to different programs and classes would benefit most for distance learning. I know friends who went to schools in different areas and did not have access to the same classes that I did (things like the fact that my high school had a number of AP courses but my friend a different district only had three or four available.) I think that it would be a great way to give students access classes that would be very beneficial to their educational advancement.