RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

Final Summary and Reflection Modules 6-10

Jacqueline Fernandez-Romero
Texas Tech University

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

As this course comes to an end and I am able to reflect on all the knowledge I have gained,
modules 6-10 have shown to be very detrimental to the future creation of an online program for
our institution. Prior to this class I had not taken a course that focused thoroughly on explaining
Distance Education (DE) and its diverse components. This course has helped me gain an even
greater appreciation for professors and students involved in online learning. This course has
helped me to further research universities who offer online degrees and credentials so I can
recommend those institutions to family members and students who work fulltime and have
families. All four modules have provided me with more knowledge on the research areas of
distance education.
Module 6: Instructional Design
Module six defined distance education as a method of delivering education and instruction, often
on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional setting such as a
classroom. Distance education provides learners with a convenient and flexible opportunity to go
to college in a nontraditional environment. Instructional Design (ID) is considered the
intellectual technique of the professional who is responsible for appropriate applications of
technology to the teaching and learning process (Simonson et al., 2012). Analyzing learners and
context discusses the importance of instructors/teachers taking the time to learn about the diverse
ways students in their respective classes learn in order to yield a more productive environment.
Learning is rooted in the questions of learners that arise through experiencing the world. It is
active, not passive (Philosophical perspectives in education, 2014). The learner is a problem
solver and thinker who makes meaning through his or her individual experience in the physical
and cultural context. Effective teachers provide experiences so that students can learn by doing.
The goal of any instructor should be to keep the learners engaged because that will ensure

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

students are learning. Some instructors still believe that if he/she spends the majority of the time
lecturing that students will understand and grasp the material however that is incorrect, students
need hands-on activities and other tools in order to develop a better understanding of the material
being taught. In todays classrooms technology plays a major role in student learning, let alone if
the learning environment is through distance learning. In distance learning technology is known
to be the number one element of concern for any instructor because there are several things to be
considered. First, does the instructor know how to operate the equipment? Second, is the
technology available to students? If all of the considerations are met then the student and
instructor will be able to work together so that learning is happening on a consistent basis and the
student should be able to succeed in the course.
Module 7: Student Perspective
Module seven discussed how online courses are becoming a driving force in formal education
and it has become an experience that most students are happy to be a part of. Online courses
have made it easier for individuals with hectic schedules to engage and further their education.
An online course is defined as classes taught via the World Wide Web where the individual
taking the course can be located anywhere in the world. Online courses are very convenient to
most individuals, because you can chose from a variety of courses in your field of interest
offered by private or public institutions. Enrolling in an online course for the first time can cause
skepticism particularly if the student has been taking courses at an institution were they are
physically present on a daily basis. First and foremost the student has to understand that online
courses are equivalent to the courses they physically attend. Online courses have several
advantages from schedule flexibility, ease of accessibility, range of options, and students
controlling their study time. Schedule flexibility allows the student to access courses at anytime

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

from anywhere only needing access to a computer and internet services. Courses can be available
to students when they need it. Students can review lectures, discussions, explanations, and
comments. Ranging options students are able to choose form a variety of options even course
that are not offered at private or public institutions. Students controlling study time is important
because it prevents from students having to sit for long periods of time and lessons can be paused
when needed, and notes read at students discretion. Classroom culture at a distance can have an
impact on students as well, through collaboration which helps students expand their knowledge,
skills, and ability to self-assess their own progress (Simonson et al., 2003).
Some of the benefits students in online courses have identified are:
(1) Asynchronous learning better fits their schedule (2) The inquiry learning method and case
study applications are "real world" learning tools applicable to their work settings the
communication, problem-solving and (3) critical thinking, and technology skills developed better
prepare them for 21st Century learning and work settings.
Personal Experience
I took my first online courses when pursuing my masters in education through Lesley University
School of education located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At first I did not know what to expect
out of the classes because I have never taken online courses before. My masters program was in
partnership with the Urban Teacher Center (UTC). Before the courses began there was a tutorial
and it made it easier for me to understand how to use blackboard, submit assignments and post
comments on the discussion board. The instructors were always very helpful and made it a point
to explain assignments in detail so that there would be no need to ask a lot of questions. My
experience with distance education has thus far been a positive one. With online courses I am

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

always able to access them at any time and keep up with the material at my convenience which
helps manage my busy schedule.
Module 8: Teaching Perspective
Module eight allowed for me to use the knowledge I had gain from the previous modules and
their activities into planning and developing an online course for my students who attend the
LAYC-Career Academy in Washington, DC. I created a course titled psychology. This course
would offer students a comprehensive, integrated and up-to-date introduction to psychology. It
surveys the field of psychology and covers topics ranging from biological bases of behavior to
abnormality and social diversity. By emphasizing both fundamental principles and current
developments, the course demonstrates how the issues, methods and applications of
psychological research contribute to the body of knowledge that comprises the discipline of
psychology. Therefore, upon completion of this course, students would have a broad base of
knowledge about the field of psychology. In addition, students should gain insight into important
phenomena of their everyday lives, feel a sense of wonder about seemingly ordinary human
processes and see how psychology addresses issues that cross disciplines.
Module 9: Management of Distance Education
Module nine allowed me to analyze the functions and responsibilities of a distance education
administrator/ manager/ staff based on four sub categories. I created a distance learning scenario
policy for my school the LAYC-Career Academy. The scenario read as follows: Online courses
are becoming a driving force in formal education and it has become an experience that most
students are happy to be a part of. Online courses have made it easier for individuals with hectic
schedules to engage and further their education. The LAYC Career Academy is an innovative

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

model that provides youth ages 16-24 years with college credits / AP-style classes; a rigorous
and flexible GED, college preparatory curriculum; and career preparation in the healthcare and
information technology fields. The purpose of the policy is to assure high quality in the delivery
of distance learning with regard to instruction and procedures. LAYC-Career Academy
approaches its distance learning activities with the recognition of its mission to assist students,
especially from the DMV area, in the timely achievement of their professional and career goals.
This document sets forth guidelines for courses delivered through our distance learning program.
In a near future I truly hope that my school decided to incorporate an online courses specifically
for the students who work and study fulltime.
Module 10: Ethics and Copyright
Module ten had me reflecting on the potential consequences of not abiding by copyright rules
and regulations. Through the creation of 6 scenarios I was able to better understand how I would
present a one hour training session on copyright laws and their applications to distance
education. I particularly enjoyed reading my classmates perspectives on copyright laws and their
honesty of whether or not they had made mistakes of following the regulations in the past. Here
is an example of one of the scenarios I created. David a student taking an online course in
homeland security is assigned articles on various topics that have been digitized and posted on
the course website. David is not only a student as well as a community college teacher and
decides to use the same articles because he feels that the articles convey information that is
relevant to what his students are currently learning. From what you have learned about copyright
printed materials is David usage of the articles acceptable. I would like to discuss these scenarios
with my school if at any point we decide to incorporate distance education as part of our teaching
curriculum.

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

I am looking forward to learning more about distance education in the U.S. and other countries.
Hopefully we will be able to learn more about methods of delivering instruction. My students
would benefit from an online class in the future because most of my students have children and
jobs that do not allow them to be physically present in a classroom at all times. Ideally distance
education should focus on creating a community in which those involved feel that every minute
spent in a course is worth it. Modules 6-10 have helped me to begin thinking as to how I would
present an online course to my school administration and I know that with the tools I have
created thus far in this course they would be more open to a discussion.

RUNNING HEAD: Final Summary and Reflection

References
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., & Zvacek, S. (2003). Teaching and learning at a
distance. Columbus: Pearson Education.
Distance Learning Policy. (2012, March 20). Retrieved November 26, 2014, from
http://www.athens.edu/policies/Operating/Academics/Distance-Learning-Policy.pdf
Beldarrain, Y. (2006). Distance Education Trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student
interaction and collaboration. Distance Education, 27(2), 139-153.
Gibson, C. C. (1998). The distance learner in context. In C. C. Gibson (Ed.), Distance learners in
higher education (pp. 113125). Madison, WI: Atwood.