Distance and Open Education 

  

 Professor Bernard Spodek describes open education as an open system of thought, one that is constantly being modified… However, the concept of open education is quite vague, mainly because it’s being used as a slogan or concept depending on how it is used. According to professor Spodek’s definition, open can find that the term might be overlapping with other definitions. In the other hand, the author, David Nyberg, proposed that open education is that form of educational practice which is characteristically regulated by some Of the following rules: 

-Students are to pursue educational activities of their own choosing. Yet, it does not give the student the freedom to do whatever they want, but it suggests that students may pursue any educational activity of their choose.

-Teachers are to create an environment rich in educational possibilities. Creating with this the ideal environment for students activities. This rule provide the teacher the chance to help students in their pursue of educational activities. 

-Teachers are to give students individualized instruction based on what they are interested in, but teachers are also to guide the student along educationally worthwhile lines. Here the teacher should focus on what the students are interested in without losing the purpose of the class. It also includes the guide of the teacher and their judgment in the interests of the student. 

-Teachers are to respect students, considering: 

 -Student’s autonomy

 -Students interests and ideas

 -Students and teachers are equal in some sense

 -A minimum use of authority

 -Students feelings

It is important to point out that to define open education is to define a program for action, which means that each program is unique, because they have different norms. Therefore, the notion of open education is still in the process of being defined. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
-Ss have the freedom to learn at their own pace.	-Makes communication difficult between Ts and Ss
-Ss have control in the way they learn	-Group work is hard to accomplish due suitable times
-Ss control the content and they can emphasis in what they need to learn	-It can lead to delays in the learning process.
-Ss have complete control of their goals and evaluate their learning	-For Ts it is imposible to make casual oversight of learning progress.
-Ts are able to call for deep thinking	-It makes difficult the relationship between Ss and Ts
-Ts can use different resources that are unavailable in the classroom	-Inhibits corporate activity
-Ss can become independent and effective learners

Personal Definition

   

Open education: 

It is not easy to describe in my own words open education, because it doesn’t have a concrete definition itself. However, open education represents the way in which teachers along with institutions, execute the teaching process, always taking the students into consideration.

 Distance education: 

This concept i found it a little bit easier to explain, because it relates to a type or branch of education in which the student and the teacher are linked, but they can be situated in a different geographical position. This type of education also relates to the use of different material, devices, and criteria to achieve the learning process, such as platforms, online forums, ibooks, chats, email, or even conventional mail.