Global Diversity in Distance Education

George Siemens believes that there is a growing acceptance of distance education throughout the corporate and educational worlds.  I agree that distance education is going to continue to grow at an insurmountable pace due to the benefits provided by distance education.  Increase in global diversity, communication, and collaborative interaction are the main reasons Siemens’s believes distance education is going to continue to evolve and become more and more acceptable (Laureate Education Inc., 2008).

The element of global diversity will be my main focus throughout this post.  Whether you’re an entrepreneur trying to break through into the global market or on Wall Street trying to make investments in the global economy, global diversity is a skill that will be needed throughout all fields in the workforce.  Global diversity will no longer be an optional addition to highlight your resume.  It will be a required prerequisite.  Alphonse Badoma discusses in his blog how distance education gives the education field a medium to overcome issues in regards to diversity.  In addition, Teri Page (2012) states in her blog that “online programs are preparing students for the corporate world by giving students experiences in working with other student across the world.”

Distance education allows students to work with peers and colleagues from around the globe.  Prior to enrolling in an online degree program, the only global interaction I in education was through a foreign exchange student a friend hosted while in high school.  While working on my master’s degree, I took several courses online with students from different countries.  Interacting with them enhanced my personal learning as well as gave me insight to how education is expanding throughout the world.  Had I attended a traditional university to further my education, my peers would have been limited to others who were geographically and culturally equivalent to me.

Technological advances have provided us with a multitude of tools to interact with peers globally.  Discussion boards, blogs, and chat rooms have been around for a while and allow for basic interactions.  However, technologies such as Skype and wikis allow more personal interactions as well as collaboration from across oceans. With the constant evolution of technology, it is impossible to imagine the capabilities of distance education of the future.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2008). Principles of Distance Education. Baltimore: Author

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Replies to:

Erin Rocha
http://erinrocha1981.blogspot.com/2012/12/global-diversity-of-distance-education.html?showComment=1359682932349#c5059317823561295229

Allison Hill
http://allisonsedtechviews.blogspot.com/2012/12/module-2.html?showComment=1359683371964#c971516906236162038