Petrus Kruger OMDE 601 Section 9040 17/02/14

ANALYSIS OF THE DEFINITION FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION

DEFINITION
The following definition for distance education closely matches the definition by Kruger (2014). Distance education is teaching and planned learning in which teaching normally occurs in a different place from learning, requiring communication through technologies as well as special institutional organization (Moore, 2012, p2).

ORGANIZATION
Looking at the two definitions it can be seen that special institutional organization (Moore, 2012, p2) and any system (Kruger, 2014) refer to alternatives of looking at the way an institute organizes their delivery of subjects. It is in this organisational part, that it can be seen that distance education is th e most industrialized form of education (Peters, 2010, p31) system of education so far developed. Distance education is evolving as new technology and social pressures come to bear on the development thereof (Miller, 2010, p43). This indicates that distance education does not have a rigid structure, but is always in flux as new technology and social needs develop.

TECHNOLOGY
Technology is a requirement mentioned in both of the definitions. It is interesting comparing the level of technology being used by society in general, and the technology used in distance education, versus time. Here it can be seen that, in most cases, distance education has used the best available technology at that particular point in time. Existing distance education institutions should always be investigating new technologies, so that continuous improvements can be made to their offerings. As technology changes, it will also change the pedagogy of distance education (Cleveland-Innes, 2010, p4).

DIFFERENCES
The main difference between the two definitions is that the second definition (Kruger, 2014) requires that the institute offering should be traditional. After further thought and analysis, the word traditional can be dropped from the definition. However, a rider should be added that the qualification should be accredited with the governing body of that particular subject area. Although it is not expressly stated in the definition, the definition of Kruger (2014), implies that not only geographical, but a lso the psychological, social and cultural distances (Peters, 2004, p13) are overcome by distance education. This issue not addressed in Moores (2012, p2) definition.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it is felt that both of the definitions address the fundamental issues of distance education. Also the second definition (Kruger, 2014) still requires refinement. A suggestion is to drop the word traditional

and re-evaluate the definition. As to other parts of the definition it is felt that it does capture the fundamentals of distance education. Technology will always be the driving force in the evolution of the methods that distance education uses. Although the organization of distance education is systems driven, it will have to change as society and technology changes. The definition of distance education by Moore (2012, p2) can be seen to be robust enough to still be appropriate when technology and social needs change, which will force institutions to change their approach to distance education.

REFERENCES
Peters, O. (2010). The theory of the "most industrialized education" [e-chapter]. In O. Peters (Author), Distance education in transition: Developments and issues (5th ed., pp. 11-32) [Adobe Digital edition]. Retrieved from Carl von Ossietzky Universitt Oldenburg website: http://www.box.com/s/ktx7ipccetotqrr11mct

Peters, O. (2004). Distance education in transition: New trends and challenges (4 ed.) [Adobe Digital edition]. Retrieved from Carl von Ossietzky Universitt Oldenburg website: http://www.box.com/shared/5x3tpynqqf Moore, M.G. & Kearsley, G. (2012). Distance education: A systems view of online learning (3 ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Cleveland-Innes, M.F.(2010). Teaching and learning in distance education: Enter a new era. In M.F. Cleveland-Innes & D.R. Garrison (Eds.), An introduction to distance education: Understanding teaching and st learning in a new era, (1 ed., pp. 1-10). New York, N.Y.: Routledge. Miller, G.E. (2010). Organization and technology of distance education. In M.F. Cleveland-Innes & D.R. Garrison (Eds.), An introduction to distance education: Understanding teaching and learning in a new era , st (1 ed., pp. 1-10). New York, N.Y.: Routledge. Kruger P.A. (2014, February, 7). Initial definition and understanding of DE. In How do you define distance education [online discussion].Response submitted as an assignment for OMDE 601 9040, Petri Kruger, Spring, 2014. Foundations of distance education and e-learning. UMUC. Retrieved from: https://learn.umuc.edu
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