Collaborative Interaction

In the vodcast, "The Future of Distance Education", Siemens pointed out that there is a growing acceptance in the field of distance education, I must agree with Siemens. This growing acceptance comes as more people experience communication online. The fear that online communication does not facilitate meaningful relationships is subsiding as people learn that these relationships exist in an online community. As technology develops new tools are created that help ease the transition in to online learning communities. Siemens also points out that these communication tools make it easier to collaborate on a global scale diversifying learning outcomes. In addition to distance education corporations are taking advantage of these communication tools, communicating with different offices around the globe. Siemens is just in saying that the use of online communication is growing rapidly. First hand I can say that ten years ago as I attended an undergraduate program in a traditional university I never thought I would participate in distance education. I always thought that I needed an in class professor for motivation. Like Siemens says, I was able to bridge the gap of comfort. When I first took my online class for my master's program, I found it much easier than trying to get back and forth to class and found that distance education was more preferable to me than traditional classroom settings.
Distance Education promotes collaborative interaction. New technology makes this collaboration easier. In a blog by KCDavis "Collaborative Interaction" located at http://educationaljourney1908.blogspots.com/2009/12/collaborative-interaction.html,, the author points out that collaboration has proved to be more effective than working alone. The different talents and abilities of the learning community are able to solve problems more easily. The author also makes mention that this collaboration was made easier with evolution of the Internet and online tools. I agree that online tools such as Blogs, Wikis, Email, and Discussion boards make interaction among groups more efficient and effective. Collaborative interaction also improves the quality of education for some. Blogger Phil Cruver in his post "Collaborative Learning 2.0 for Pakistan" located at http://edutechdebate.org/elearning-promise/collaborative-learning-2-0-for-pakistan/ argues that Web 2.0 has the ability to increase the quality of education in Pakistan. The benefits are endless, but he points out that students just having the ability to access video lectures that are being produced by top teachers in the country could expose them to a better education. Tools such as the webcam which is now inexpensive makes this type of collaboration possible. Distance education promotes collaborative interaction and as distance education continues to grow more and more learners will take advantage of the many tools that enhance collaborative interaction.
References:
George Siemens "The future of Distance Education"
http://educationaljourney1908.blogspot.com/2009/12/collaborative-interaction.html
http://edutechdebate.org/elearning-promise/collaborative-learning-2-0-for-pakistan/