Many Sides of Florida

I just returned from a vacation in FL. We started off in Tampa and visited Busch Gardens.
My son loved the coasters and my daughter couldn't get enough of all the animals. If you have not been it is well worth the trip. From Tampa we headed North to Crystal River. We spent the day swimming with the manatees. We even had a dolphin swim by. It was a great experience and I really liked this section of FL. It was less crowded and I felt like I was away from it all. The tour continued the next day. We traveled across the state and spent the remaining days in Fort Lauderdale. We had a great time. I traveled with out my computer and I didn't respond to e-mails return calls from work or work on any courses. It was a nice break.

Distance Education Journey

Episode one of three

I've been a student and an instructor and I learned a great deal from each eaxperience,

Future

Where is distance education headed? I spend a great deal of time reading and I come across a variety of opinions. Some are backed by good research while other use anecdotal evidence. Are we living in a fantasy world? Dose distance education provide a truly viable alternative? Can it survive?

What will distance look like in the future? Can anyone really answer this question? Is it even worth thinking about when technology is changing so quickly?

Will DE programs continue see increased enrollment or has distance ed arrived? What percentage of students will be taking courses on-line in the future? Should DE course designers try to mirror the face to face classroom?

I have read opposing views on all these questions and more. What do you think? Are there any key questions that need to be addressed first to ensure a high quality DE experience ?

Thoughts on distance education

I was always under the impression that blogs were a forum for informal discussions. I would like to use my blog to talk about the future of education and to gain some input from others. I do enjoy discussions where people share their opinions freely.

I had the opportunity to read previous blogs and I have some thoughts of my own to share. I read an earlier blog where one person questioned the acceptance of certification programs. I had some similar concerns myself. Prior to beginning this class I was enrolled in a doctoral program. However, my current situation forced me to make a decision. I work for a small school with a burgeoning distance education program that required me to gain a variety of skills quickly. Traditional Ph.D. programs were not structured in a way that would allow me to learn the necessary skills in a manner consistent in my needs. Upon additional research, I was able to locate programs like this one that would add to my skill set.I have been able to focus on specific skills that I need to improve our program.The upcoming modules in this course focus on very specific needs that I would not be able to get in a degree program. I must admit to having the same concerns regarding acceptance by others , and I think I made the correct decision given my current situation.

I don't get me wrong. I would still like to pursue a Ph.D.. However, it wouldn't be prudent for me to do so now. I would like your opinion regarding training and education for someone seeking to become the leader in the field of distance education. It is a Ph.D. or an Ed.D necessary? One reason I enjoy these type of courses is that I get to interact with other people in the field. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.