Distance Education

Distance Education aims to teach students that are not physically present using technological tools. This thought dates back to 1728, where distance education first began at the University of London. Charles Wedemeyer is said to be the front runner for modern distance learning with his creation of AIM, the articulated instructional media project which used new communication technologies to teach those his distance students. This change in emphasis to online classes has been greatly increasing as of late. The five types of distance education are correspondence (via mail), internet (synchronously- real time, or asynchronously- with a delay), telecourse (via radio or tv), CD-ROM, and mobile learning (via hand-held device or wireless server). Online Education is described by a physical separation between student and teacher, with a connection simulated by the internet. Blended education combines these methods, alternating between face-to-face meetings and online ones. Virtual Education is offered completely online. Two types of systems may be used: CMS (content management) or LMS (learning management). The former uses computer software to manage, edit, and publish content. The latter uses software tools to manage learning interventions. Its advantages are that you are allowed to work at your own pace, it's flexible, it incorporates multimedia applications, there's no travel time, and it allows for greater universal access. The disadvantages are seen as its cost, the lack of online security, the radical change from traditional learning methods, encouraging audience self motivation, lack of socialization, and keeping track of attendance and participation.

I plan to use distance education everyday of my artistic career. I cannot fully express how appreciative I am of websites like eHow, Instructables, youtube, and sculpture.net for their insight and explanation of various processes. Since projects often take you into places you never knew you'd go, it's necessary to call upon the help of other experts; thus the artist remains a student for life. The cheapest, most efficient, and direct method to fulfilling this requirement is through the help of informal distance education in its virtual form. The websites I just brought up are incredible in their variety of delivery methods. They include written and pictoral instruction, video and oral instruction, and even forums for direct discussion of a particular issue one may be having. The only issue I can imagine facing from this method of education is the greater amount of research time put into finding a reliable source from which to learn from. You have to wait for responses on dicussion boards and you have to make sure that any how-to guide you are watching or reading is in accordance with the exact process you wish to learn about.

I highly recommend sculpture.net whenever one is facing a dilemma having to do with materials or project ideation. I like this source most for its connectivity to real, live people, with the ease of access of virtual distance education. There have been a few times where I placed a post with a very specific issue -like trying to cast very fine, delicate materials- and gotten 4 to 5 various methods within hours. The community is made up of sculptors from all different media backgrounds, willing to offer their expertise among their corresponding areas. This variety, and the point system that rewards all those offering sound advice to the asker, combine to create a highly successful system of cooperative support beneficial to all those involved.