My MDE Journey 601 Section 9021 June 13, 2013 Wave One Reflections In week one, my MDE journey

began with posting of my biography in Hello. I read the biography of my classmates so I could get to know them in virtual online learning. As this course requires, I took the MDE Plagiarize quiz, (http//:www.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml) and sent my Certificate of Completion to my professors. Next, I created a Turnitin (Turnitin.com) profile, to check my papers for plagiarism errors. What was my initial definition of DE? My initial definition of DE is in my e-portfolio. My first weekly assignment was writing my personal definition of distance education (DE), and posting my definition in conference. I wrote in DE learning, faculty and students do not interact face-to-face. Education institutions provide course materials in various mediums like correspondence, text, video conferencing, audio, online, Internet, and instruction television. Overall, my definition of DE matches the definitions of early DE scholars. In conferences discussions on Foundations of Distance education and E-Learning, I know how DE learning differs from traditional classroom teaching and learning. In week one, Cleveland-Innes and Garrison (2001) explain the history of DE evolution when emphasis shifted from geographical challenges to new technology information techniques. Distance education access increases during this era. Otto Peters (2004) wrote about the evolution of DE in three main phases: first, second, and third generation. Peters (2004), defines the unique characteristics of DE learning in different generations and settings. Moore and Kearsley (2012) provide useful

insights on complex challenges and organization structures, which influences separation of teacher and learner. Week two activities include online communication with Dr. Peters who shares his historical knowledge and personal insight about the definition, evolution and revolution, and industrialization of DE learning. Professor Peters is extremely enthusiastic about the future development of DE. According to Peters (2013), DE provides higher education to various types of adults and disadvantaged students. During week two, works from Bernath and Vidal (2007), and Professor Berje Holmberg (2005) discuss their own theories as well as other theories in literature. From the weekly readings, as well as scholars presentations, I see similar complex implications in DE today, which exist in the initial waves of DE development. By week three, I am reading literature and researching academic literature for writing Assignment 1. The paper requires a scholarly quote of a DE definition that matches my own. My paper quotes Peters definition and my writing refer to scholars who also present Peters definition. This weeks assignment requires posting weekly relevant information tweets to @OMDE 601. My twitter username: DorisJones@pepperandspice. I actively participate in MDE tweet activities relevant to the study of distance learning. How has my understanding of DE changed after the first two weeks of class? My initial definition of DE still matches the definitions of distance education the scholars are quoting in presentations and literature. My understanding changes in the way I consider correspondence DE as old fashion. According to the literature, in both developing and under developing countries, correspondence DE is still a popular form of DE. Peters (2001) contends the correspondence model significantly influence industrialized distance learning. In first

generation DE, the aim was to make students feels they were alone because teachers and students were separate. (Peters, 2001). The same principle is true today in all forms of DE learning systems. What is my view as an online learner? My view as an online learner is positive. I have proven that I can learn online because I successfully complete UMUC online courses, and I have not failed any courses. I took the test, and my score is 75. How has my view of MDE changed? My view of MDE has not changed. Because I am still in the initial phase of MDE course work, the course is meeting my expectations. My greatest challenge is learning to use the new UMUC online software. My experiences DE in teaching and learning match the theories, presentations, and readings in this course. Because I am involved in multidimensional factors involving instruction development, marketing, registering students, selecting technologies, economics, and administration, my views of MDE have not changed. As I continue to learn from DE pioneers, experts, and literature in MDE courses, my view of MDE may change as I gain higher education about distance learning.