Technological Advancements in Online Learning

Online learning is the hot topic these days asmotivated to learn, and then choose to participate
millions of dollars are being invested in newin adult education classes that provide
technologies, such as the Internet, with theface-to-face interactions.
expectation that education at all levels will beHow successful we are in moving from the
revolutionized. Newspapers now have featurefamiliar model of online learning to the future
sections about the Internet and technology-relatedmodel of distance learning will depend in part on
self-help books are proliferating. Technology isthe assumptions and preparations we make now.
frequently hailed as the "magic pill" that willWe can begin to define and plan for what we
somehow provide solutions to the organizationalwant to happen. To influence the future, we must
and political issues that are endemic to adultbe proactive. To wait passively, will relegate us to
education. Adult and continuing education programsthe role of adjusting to changing technological and
are rushing to become players in the new worldlearning environments that will be thrust upon us,
of global technology, searching for newWe suggest six assumptions as points from which
applications while fearful of "being left behind."to develop a model of distance learning:o
Discussions seem to center around the impact ofTraditional classroom-based models of online
technology on online learning provision, butlearning will be enhanced not replaced by the new
perhaps these discussions are reflective of thetechnologies. Classroom-based models of online
past rather than predictive of the future.learning will change, but they will have an
Online learning technologies have been primarilyimportant and viable role. New technologies will be
used, historically, to extend access to classroomused to enhance formal learning. Students will
instruction to rural or isolated sites. For the mosthave Internet tools at their fingertips to help
part, adult online learning programs have done thatdevelop their own learning paths.o Self-authoring
with high levels of success long before theof learning activities will be commonplace. In the
Internet or computer networks were costpast, the resources required to customize learning
effective. Efforts such as Project Leap inwere not available to teachers, let alone adult
Mississippi and the GED on TV are excellentlearners. Networking technologies, such as the
examples of successful and effective onlineInternet, and multimedia databases will greatly
learning programs. Overall, it is evident that onlineincrease access to learning resources on a scale
learning programs have exceeded their potential inunknown to adult education. Distance learning will,
enabling adults in rural and isolated communities toat some level, be about customizing learning for
gain access to instruction.specific learners.o Instructors will become
However, is providing access to "a traditionalfacilitators of learning not transmitters of
classroom" reason enough to expand investmentsknowledge. Research has shown that advanced
in such new technologies as desktop videoskills are acquired not through the transmission of
conferencing and the Internet? Is the goal simplyfacts but through the learner interacting with
to make a better mouse-trap (i.e., a fastercontent Learners learn more effectively when
machine to deliver traditional classroom-basedthey create, build, and interact with knowledge,
instruction)? We can improve our existing onlinethereby constructing their own meaning.o The
learning programs cheaply by simply upgradingfuture of learning will be about connecting learning
existing broadcast and cable systems. Instead, theto the world of work and home. New technologies
emergence of new technologies enables us tocan provide those important links so learning will
shift our focus from the delivery ofbe relevant and skills developed in one setting can
classroom-based instruction to the delivery ofbe transferred to other settings (home, work,
new materials and the facilitation of new ways ofschool).o Collaborative learning will be stressed.
learning. In this environment, issues of instructionalMost adult learning emphasizes individual
content, information resources, leaning theory, andachievement and solving problems without the aid
quality are paramount. The question is not, "Howof other people. However, in the world of work
can we transport the classroom?" but rather,and personal relationships, collaborative problem
"What can we do with the new technologies tosolving is not an exception but rather the role.
reform, change, and improve adult learning?"Collaborative learning focuses on processes rather
Clearly, we are no longer talking about onlinethan isolated topics or simple one-word answers.
learning but rather beginning to envision distanceWith the development of collaborative computing,
learning:o What does learning look like when it isadult learners at different places can come
not bound by four walls and the knowledge basetogether on-line to collaboratively solve problems
of one teacher?o How can we modify ouranytime and anywhere.o Staff development and
organizational structures to enable learners toteacher training will need to be continuous and
interact from a distance with more than oneongoing. Traditional staff development models of
instructor, other learners, and extensive,workshops and conference presentations will not
accessible resources?o How can we begin tomeet the need for continuous on-going
conceptualize and initiate learning experiences thattechnology. New methods of continuous
capitalize on this new extended learningimprovement and training will need to be
environment?developed. Technology will help, but staff
Using technology to create new models of adultdevelopment will need to be readily available.
learning may have an impact on the adultPlanning for the future of distance learning
education provision system. Adult educationrequires envisioning how learning should change for
programs will become hubs of learning instead ofa changing world. Distance learning will only be
just places to learn. Does this mean that formalsuccessful if it is educationally grounded and not
classroom-based instruction will be viewed asdriven by the technology. Technology will be a
obsolete and will be replaced? Actually, thepowerful tool that we use for a continuous
number of classroom-based instructional settingsrenewal, reflection, and improvement. However, it
could increase as adults encounter educationalwill not in itself create a learning community of
demands in new settings. Those who had neverthousands of teachers and learners interacting and
before considered entering an adult educationborrowing resources while at the same time
program via the front door may soon enterbuilding and providing new resources. Only people
on-line, realize their educational needs, becomewith ideas can do that.