Rationale Statement

Previous to this course, I had only one experience with distance learning as a student and never as an instructional designer designing a course. In the course, I had the opportunity to learn what a Course Management System (CMS) was and design my own course. Challenge and frustrating at times, it was a valuable experience that will propel me forward in my anticipative career as an instructional designer. Designing my CMS would not have been possible without the understanding of educational and distance education theory.  A theory is no good without an application and the application is no good without the theory. I think that is exactly what I got out of this course as well as this project.

I really felt that I really agreed with Wedemeyer’s theory of independent study and focused my design and materials on this theory (Simonson, Spaldino, Albright and Zvacek, 2012). As Wetemeyer believed, “Learning takes place through student activity (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, Zvacek 2012, page 44).” I used this concept to sculpt my course strategically into a tool that students could use in order to be as successful as possible. Items that I included such as student assignments and links for students to go and find allow students to be successful but allow students to also take responsibility and ownership of their learning.  Distance learning experiences are valuable when students take the initiative and ownership. These learning activities and the technology that was utilized encourages students to understand this concept and prepare them for the upcoming philosophy course or other distance learning courses that they will be enrolling in.

Simonson, Smaldino, Albright and Zvacek.  2012. Teaching and Learning at a Distance. Pearson, Boston, MA.