Open and Distance Education Technologies

    Open Education includes resources that provide materials to supplement education that can be freely accessed, reused, and shared at no cost (Downes, 2011). Distance education refers to formal education where the learner and teacher are not physically in the same location during the acquisition and sharing of knowledge. The defining characteristic of distance education includes the separation of student and educator in time or space (Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007). Technology is used to link the educator, learners, and resources (Laureate Education, 2009b). There are many technologies that support open and distance education.  Let's explore YouTube and web conferencing.

     YouTube is a video hosting service that is accessible to users at no charge. It includes educational videos, video clips, and audio recordings. Users can view, upload, share, and comment on videos.  The site provides videos on a wide variety of topics ranging from music to home repairs.  In order to upload videos users must register on the site however anyone can view the videos.  While most videos are provided by general users some media outlets also use this service to share their material. I selected this technology due to its ease of use and mass popularity along with its global access to share information at no cost.  YouTube would be incorporated into my professional practice by having learners search topics relevant to existing course content as well as create and post videos specific to their course study. Open education allows it users to leisurely explore as much as they would like for free (Bonk, 2009).  

     Web conferencing is an online collaborative service that provides another forum in which learning can occur at a distance in real time.  Voice and video can be shared simultaneously using this medium providing a level of personal interaction between the educator and learners.  Web conferencing is primarily used for training events, meetings, presentations, and lectures.  It is a forum that comes closest to mirroring a traditional classroom where learners and educators can interact real time and provide immediate feedback.  Today, online learning is a primary form of distance education.  Society has grown significantly in its acceptance of this type of education (Laureate Education, 2009c).

     I selected web conferencing due to its similarities to a traditional classroom while bringing learners together that are geographically dispersed.  This technology would be incorporated into my professional practice to deliver virtual sessions to accommodate learners in various locations.  In addition, specific content topics would be covered using this medium to deliver impactful learning in small sessions.

     
References:

Bonk, C. J. (2009). The world is open: How web technology is revolutionizing 
     education. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. 

Downes, S. (2011). Free learning: Essays on open educational resources and 
     copyright. Retrieved from http://www.downes.ca/files/books/FreeLearning.pdf
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Distance education: The
      next generation. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009c). The future of distance
     education. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2012). Learning in
      adulthood: A comprehensive guide. John Wiley & Sons.