A Critical look at Educational Technology from a Distance Education Perspective

Abstract

This article focuses on educational technology as applied in the context of programs and institutions that offer completely distance education courses. All education in the 21st century is digital education in that the use of networking, text and image creation and editing and search and retrieval of information punctuates the life of almost every teacher and student. However, the context of distance educationwhere all the interactions are mediated, creates a unique and heightened context of digitalization. This paper focuses on two questions: (1) What aspects have not been completely satisfactory in the transit and transformation that education has undergone, from its more traditional, campus-based conception, towards its new configuration marked by the continuous use of digital technologies and environments? (2) What are the future challenges that distance education must deal with to support sustainability of this teaching model? From a theoretical and interpretative analysis, based on the review of relevant articles and documents on distance education, some critical dimensions (limitations, shortcomings and future challenges) the use of digital technologies in distance education is identified and subsequently analyzed. These dimensions evidence how the initial (sometimes excessive) promises of digital technologies in distance education has not (yet) been fully reflected in reality.

Distance Learning: Vector of Present-day Educational Paradigm

“…A similar problem was identified after the practical transition to distance learning showed the inconsistency of initial expectations and optimistic forecasts [6]. Now distance learning allows independently choosing the place, time, and pace of learning.…”

“…In their research D.R. Harrison [5], T. Anderson [6], and other scientists describe in detail the structure of the work carried out in the field of online learning. The concept of a new type of education goes far beyond providing access to information [6].…”

“…Harrison [5], T. Anderson [6], and other scientists describe in detail the structure of the work carried out in the field of online learning. The concept of a new type of education goes far beyond providing access to information [6]. It focuses on the elements of educational experience that contribute to the creation of communities of learners actively participating in joint creative Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research,volume 164 Proceedings of International Scientific and Practical Conference "Russia 2020 -a new reality: economy and society" (ISPCR 2020) research, since creative thinking is the engine of science and the key to progress [7].…”

Educators’ and students’ perceptions of online distance education before and amid COVID-19: Key concerns and challenges

“…In the last two decades, there have been published lots of articles devoted to the problems of distance education, e-learning and open education. Researchers and educators developed comprehensive approaches to address the emergence of a new learning paradigm in digital society [4]: analysed the potential of introducing information and communication technologies into the university curriculums [5]; debated about the advantages and disadvantages of online learning and teaching practices [6] considered the factors that can determine the success of online educational programs [7], as well as risks posed by teachers and student.…”

Instructional interface’s blueprint for guiding instructional-technological interactions’ research: the Big Bang shift in K-12

“…In fact, the Big Bang worked (Hawkridge 1995, p. 3) In the first 5 days of April, 2020, 1.725 billion students worldwide were out of the classrooms (COVID-19 Impact 2020) because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, many of those involved in the educational process turned to mediated education and the technology that makes it possible (Anderson and Rivera-Vargas 2020), seeking a solution to the schools' closure (Schlegelmilch and Douglas 2020). Then, the Educational Big Bang (EB 2 ), the shifting to digital, suddenly happened.…”