Education has a terminology problem. I think “learning engineer” finally had its day, but we continue to struggle with how to describe various types of learning. Classroom instruction remains (for the most part) the baseline “traditional” learning environment when contrasted with the rest. However, we dance around all kinds of terms to describe technology-supported learning experiences – even when the other is incorporated as part of “traditional” learning. I’ve heard online, distance, remote, digital, synchronous/asynchronous, ICT, virtual, hybrid, blended, elearning, computer-mediated, and I’m likely missing more. However, the definitions of these terms often overlap, which is why I get so excited when I see the Handbook of Open, Distance and Digital Education I noted yesterday that helps us try to give much-needed context and definition around the terms we so loosely toss around.
It’s a 1,400+ page book, so there are many definitions. However, I appreciate the acknowledgment of what I note in a section on terminology within the introduction, and an attempt by the book’s editors to add clarity to the terms they used to title the book:
We decided to choose “Open, Distance, and Digital Education” as the title for this handbook, combining open and distance education to clearly mark the historical origin of recent online education, and digital education to capture newer manifestations of teaching and learning with digital media in the process of digital transformation of educational institutions.
Zawacki-Richter and Jung, p. 6
I’m not sure this will help to eliminate the use of other terms, but maybe it will give us a reason to lean into the use of digital as a catch-all term for what we’re trying to describe when other terms aren’t helpful – looking at you elearning 👀. Here’s hoping!
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