Emerging Technologies in Distance Learning, Article Review Example

The central thesis of Bingham, Davis, and Moore’s article “Emerging Technologies in Distance Learning,” is that the contemporary paradigm shift in communication technologies has enabled the evolution of Distance Learning, which, in turn, impacts the management of virtual organizations as a whole. Distance learning is defined in the article as “the application of electronic means to education in all areas” (Bingham, Davis, Moore, 2000). The authors view Distance Learning as a profound development in modern communication and argue that, due to its influence, educational and business-training methods will undergo radical change in the near-term future. The article adequately support this central thesis, but fails to demonstrate a concrete explication of the cost/benefit assessment as it applies to small, medium, and large businesses.

Some of the changes cited by the authors include the abolishment of traditional classrooms as well as grade levels based solely on age, and the slow but certain evolution of a “non-traditional, flexible schedule” for future students. These ideas are, as pointed out in the article, as fully compatible with business training as with scholastic education.  One benefit to business that is mentioned is the “long term cost reductions by reducing travel, delivery and training expenses,” as well as the benefit of “increasing effectiveness and providing the ability to track results” (Bingham, Davis, Moore, 2000).  While this idea may prove to be sanguine in the near-term future, there is little said in the article about the ration of cost/benefit that is involved with distance learning. The article does not mention that the cost of technologies may be prohibitive for some companies, or perhaps even detrimental to a small or medium-sized business. These omissions, along with the general tone of inevitability seem to be the weakest aspects of the article. Although the field of Distance Learning is a provocative field and is certainly of interest to business and virtual organizations, the article suggests a too-radical departure from present-day.

References

Bingham, John; Davis, Teresa; Moore, Cathy; Emerging Technologies in Distance Learning. Retrieved Sept, 24th. http://horizon.unc.edu/projects/issues/papers/Distance_Learning.asp