Chapter Six and Seven Response!

To be completely honest, I was just really confused after reading Chapter Six. I had a difficult time understanding and following the ideas given about multimedia and hypermedia. Rather than spending more time laboring over this Chapter, I decided to move on to Chapter Seven.

As I read Chapter Seven I was posed with some conflicting ideas. First, I was intriqued when Durden (2001) said that "no existing form of distance learning can similarly affirm students as individuals and also force them to acknowledge the idea of others...Disenfranchised students, as much as their affluent and advantaged peers, deserve a chance at a residential, liberal education, not an unproven alternative." I really couldn't agree more with this statement; I believe every student should have the opportunity to go to school, meet with a teacher/professor, establish a bond, and have hands-on learning experiences. However the option of Distance Learning is great for those students who are challenged and may need to use this capability. Secondly, I must tell you MY real opinion of Distance Learning. This is my first class to take in this format and I am really not so sure I will take another one again. I am also taking another class similar to this one on Thursday nights but it is not quite as bad because it deals less with technology. I am a visual learner. I also ask a lot of questions. I also procrastinate. This environment is not best for me! Less just be honest, I am struggling! I need to meet with an instructor and build a relationship. Finally, though, I do support Distance Learning because it has brought many working men and women to school to get an education for the first time or to finish an education Distance learning has changed the way teachers teach and has changed the way students think about learning. Ultimately, I think if the student is motivated and ready for the task, distance learning can be an powerful learning tool!