Candace Daniels

OMDE 601 Section 9020

May 31, 2015
Technology Defines Distance Education
Technology Defines Distance Education
In 2013, I wrote a paper on The Reach of Distance Education in which I argued that the
target audience (reach) of a distance education program should be the primary basis for
categorizing all programs. In my introduction, I defined learning at a distance as providing
students of all backgrounds the ability to engage in a formal learning opportunity unrestricted by
time or place (Daniels, 2013, p.1). As such, I was ready to re-present this as my definition of
distance education. However, two statements in two different articles broadened my thoughts on
the core principles that define all distance education options.
In Growing Importance of Distance Education in the World, author Peters (2004), writes
of the Apostle Paul as having used technology of writing and transportation in order to do his
missionary work without being compelled to travel (p.14). Peters (2004) continues with clearly
this was already a substitution of face-to-face preaching and teaching by mediated and asynchronous preaching and teaching (2004, p. 14). Better yet, Anderson (2009), in A Rose by
Any Other Name: Still Distance Education- A Response to D.R. Garrison: Implications for
Online and Blended Learning for the Conceptual Development and Practice of Distance
Education writes, distance education has always been to a great degree determined by the
technologies of the day. This is necessitated given the basic requirement of distance education to
be mediated-using some type of technology to span the distance between students, teachers and
institutions (p. 111). Thus, these two statements combined best illustrate my new definition of
distance education, the process of teaching and learning, unrestricted by physical proximity,
mediated by technology.

Candace Daniels
OMDE 601 Section 9020
May 31, 2015
Technology Defines Distance Education
In Peters (2004) example of the Apostle Paul, he highlights that Paul did not let his
distance from the Asian churches stop him from teaching followers of Christ how to live as
Christians (p. 14). Instead, Paul used the technology of his day. Anderson expounds on the notion
of teaching and learning at a distance by discussing how distance education is dependent on
technology for its existence. If Paul were unable to write letters that were then transported to the
churches, his teaching from a distance would not have been possible. Consequently, advances
in technology have afforded the institution of distance education the ability to interchange terms
such as correspondence course, or as Rice (2006) writes, distance learning, Web-Based
instruction, virtual schools, and online learning (p.426). Each term carries a slightly different
meaning because of the technology mediating the process, yet they all still occur at a distance.
Therefore, in conclusion, I have realized that my initial definition of distance education
was not wrong. It was just incomplete. Authors Peters and Anderson helped to flesh out my
understanding and definition of distance education. The missing component was technology. Be
it letter writing and transportation as was the case in the Apostle Pauls day, snail mail
workbooks of correspondence courses in the 70s and 80s, or learning management systems
hosted on the web. Technology is what allows teaching/learning to take place at a distance.

Candace Daniels
OMDE 601 Section 9020
May 31, 2015
Technology Defines Distance Education
References
Anderson, T. (2009). A rose by any other name: Still distance education- A response to D.R.
Garrison: Implications for online and blended learning for the conceptual development
and practice of distance education. International Journal of E-Learning & Distance
Education, 23(3), 111-116. Available from http://www.box.com/shared/y97qyc7m0t
Daniels,C.(2013).Thereachofdistanceeducationschools.UniversityofMaryland,University
CollegeTeachinginLearninginK12VirtualSchool.AvailableonWebtychoCourse
Archive
Peters,O.(2004).Growingimportanceofdistanceeducationintheworld.InO.Peters, Distance
educationintransition:Newtrendsandchallenges(4thedition)(pp.1324).Oldenburg,
Germany:BISVerlagderCarlvonOssietzkyUniversittOldenburg.Availablefrom
http://www.box.com/shared/5x3tpynqqf
Rice, K. (2006). A comprehensive look at distance education in the K-12 context. Journal of
Research on Technology in Education, 38(4), 425-448.