While reading Dron (2014), I couldn\u2019t help but notice the parallels between what I was reading and my current workplace and how we conduct our distance education (DE). In chapter nine of Online Distance Education: Towards a Research Agenda (2014) Dron dives into innovation; Information Communication Technologies (ICT); the different generations of technologies; pedagogies used as technology; measurements and determining success; factors that determine success; what is required of the learners, instructors, administration, and culture; etc.<\/p>\n
The focus of my blog post are the determining factors of success, rather one part of it that really helped me see a new perspective of my work and the DE I help produce: hard vs soft technology.<\/p>\n
Dron (2014) describes hard technology as rigid and unadaptable DE, where the process of learning is set, mandated, and unable to adapt to the learner. In this case, the learner is forced to adapt to the DE. Whereas soft technology is more adaptable, the lessons more abstract, where more of the learning process is dependent on the learner and instructor.
\nAs a point of clarification Dron, does not refer to technology as strictly machine tools like computers, tablets, and cellphones. The definition of technology here is closer to the semiotic definition of cultural tools where technology does not have to just include physical tools, methods used to communication perspective (Sharples, Taylor & Vavoula, 2005).<\/p>\n
The parallels I draw echo the notion of hard technology. In my day to day the learning management system (LMS) we use is at time restrictive to us and it\u2019s rigidity forces us to ensure that our need for plugins and features adapt to what the LMS can offer. As much as we try to innovate learning, the programs provided to us are still somewhat limited as to what is capable to develop. Most learnings are styled from traditional lecture and question models. Here the process is embedded in the technology taking the process of learning out of the hands of the learner. This is the nature of the business, hierarchical culture, and what the IT department will allow; DE must be inexpensive and efficient, but at what cost?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dron, J. (2014). Innovation and Change: Changing how we Change. In Zawacki-Richter, O. & T. Anderson (Eds.), Online distance education: Towards a research agenda. Athabasca, AB: AU Press.<\/p>\n
Sharples, M., Taylor, J., & Vavoula, G. (2005). Towards a theory of mobile learning. Proceedings of mLearn 2005, 1.1(2005), 1-9.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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