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Do you think distance learning will cut the need for teachers?

Or do you think web cam teaching/distance learning will be used to supplement education?

Public Comments

1. Definitely the latter over the former. I graduated from an online high school (after spending my first year in public, and second teaching myself), and I will say that electronic and distance learning doesn't work for everyone. My two friends ended up getting their GEDs, because they weren't motivated enough, and I had to get a tutor for Algebra II, because I couldn't get the visual one on one that I needed from my math teacher (ever tried doing that kind of stuff over the phone? not cool) However, telecommunications technology can be excellent tools and open up whole new worlds if used even only as a supplement to traditional teaching- as many by now know.
2. This is a very complex question. Here's my take: If by distance learning you mean computer based training or web based training (classes that have already been prepared and that can be watched any time) - then yes, I think having access to these types of courses will cut the need for teachers slightly. In the community college that is close to me, there are a lot of these types of classes offered. They are cheaper than traditional classes and can be great for short, focused lessons. Also in the company were I worked, instead of sending us to school to learn new skills, they bought computer based training modules (courseware) - so the school system didn't get that money. However, distance learning also provides a lot of opportunity and actually increases the demand for education. Many people don't have the time or are not able to get to a class. At one time these people would be out of luck unless there was some sort of correspondence course. But now, they can take classes, even earn entire degrees by computer. So, people who might not have taken classes before (the stay at home mom, military person traveling overseas, etc) can now do it, with little problem. I did this when I was studying computer studies a few years ago and found it to be really convenient. But, I think that we'll find that in time, distance learning will be more of a supplement - although it has and will continue to change the face of education. For example, there is already evidence that distance learning is resulting in more part-time faculty. I've been hearing a lot about putting instructors - who are the best in their field - online - so that anyone around the world who wants to take their class, can do so. If that ever becomes the norm, teachers might face global competition for their jobs. But I think that there will always be a place for teachers - and that teaching will change. For example, todays' part-time teacher might become tomorrow's instructional designer. It is all about shifting. I also believe that we will see lots of supplementing of education. When I began undergrad school in 1989 - technology was not incorporated - there was no world wide web. COBOL was king, FORTRAN was prince, and IBM ruled the kingdom. Over the years I've taken courses and now I'm a graduate student in digital media - am learning to design games - am creating digital films, websites, and a lot of other really cool things. None of this existed in any large-scale way when I graduated from undergrad. I physically go to class, but my instructor puts all of the notes online - we post all of our assignments online, check grades online, communicate with one another online when we have questions. I've even done psychological experiments online (like the Stroop Effect). I like this blend because it is the best of both worlds.
3. Distance learning courses need to be created by someone, administered by someone, assignments need to be given and graded. Who do you think does that?
4. No, but I think it will make "movie stars" of them after a while. You have to pay fees for distance education and those fees should also be paid in part to the instructors who put the courses together as if it were a book royalty. What it will be is become a competitive event for teachers. The more people enroll in their long distance courses the more $$$ they get. You'll find teachers who eventually produce really impactive classes. You'll find teachers who did what CArl Sagan did with Cosmos, what James Burke did with Connectons and Brownoski with Ascent of Man You'll find Icon teachers who are so nifty like Carl Sagan David Letterman or Jay Leno will have them on. They'll eventually start copyright their material and syndciate or distribute them through Long Distance at Purdue or Cornell One day you might even buy their DVD disks at Wal Mart for $59.95 and study at home in your free time. If done right education has the potential of becoming an armchair, couch potato fad. Can you imaging millions of people learning ORganic Chemistry from a gifted PRofessor who worked with a gifted prouduction team from say Time Life BBC and turned out an Accredited series that counts as 3 college credits if you can pass the final under control circumstance for a minimal fee, admistered by a state supervised testing firm.
5. I don't think it will do much of anything. I think it may grow slowly, and will then die out. There are HUGE benefits of having a teacher right there to be one on one with a student if need be or to have the ability to pull a student aside and talk to them or to get individual attention in a more intimate setting. I think the large majority of parents and students recognize this and would not want children in this situation. There is a short list of benefits, but rarely are the benefits that effect student learning. I, in no way fear distance learning.
6. Actually distance learning might increase the need for teachers because it will help many people to realize that they can not, for one reason or another, handle not being face to face with a teacher. This is also the reason why I don't think that advances in technology will supplement education.