A SYSTEMS APPROACH: to distance education and…
I grew up flying planes and sailing sailboats. What am I doing now? Sitting behind a computer typing. Oh what happened to the good-old-days? Responsibility is the evil word. Responsibility costs time and money, so I have to be an armchair pilot (just for now) and sail on occasion. What does this have to do with systems and distance education? Everything. Sailboats and airplanes run on systems. Distance education is facilitated through a system involving content developers, instructional designers, web designers, learning management systems, administrators, staff, instructors and learners. That is one big interdependent system!
An airplane no matter how big or small, or complex or simple must work as a system. Airplanes are built with multiple systems that back each other up if there is some type of electronic, mechanical or human failure. A sailboat is less comprehensive, but has systems to control the sails to harness the wind. Also, the crew on a sailboat must work together as an interdependent team, thus a systems approach.
A distance education university, program, or class cannot operate successfully outside the system. Each part is dependent on the other and dependent on them all working synergistically. If the LMS is down, the class is down, if the instructor is out, the class is down, if the techs are out sick, the class could be sinking without life jackets.
Thus, the more we realize how interdependent these parts and pieces are, the better distance education will become.
Could this apply to everyday life also?
Moore, M., & Kearsley, G. (2005). Distance education: A systems view (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. ISBN: 0534506887.
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Interdependence is everywhere.
ReplyDeleteOne of the challenges of this century is to stop thinking that isolated events do not impact the whole.
Isn't it ironic that online learning, which on the surface appears to promote a highly individualized approach to education, stil requires a community of dedicated professionals to make it happen?
ReplyDeleteThe lesson, I believe, is that no matter how much technology we employ to make our lives easier and remove ourselves from the larger world, we still need each other to accomplish tasks subime and mundane.
I like thinking about this (technology stuff) as a system. As an instructional designer, former pilot and sailor wannabe... I can relate to your post. Thanks.
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