Theory this and theory that, I am so lost and confused by all this theory talk. In Anderson’s chapter he lists three attributes to a good theory. The first is that it allows us to see new things. The second attribute is that it lets us make things and lastly that theories keep us honest. Really? This does not seem to be an outline for creating theory.
I think where I am facing such a problem with all of these theories is that I cannot see the end result in where theory comes into play. How does theory help us, as students comprehend and grasp teaching and learning in distance education? Perhaps I am just putting the cart ahead of the horse and in a week or two the reasoning for all of this theory talk will make sense, but right now I am in a dark, circular room with no door trying to get out.
Obviously, there is a difference between distance education and face-to-face instruction and the manner in which these two educational endeavors are approached can differ, but why are there and is there a need for more than one theory? Is it because those who are influential in the distance education arena cannot agree on a single theory? Is this something that is discussed at the annual EDEN conference and if not why not? I do not know if this rambling has helped me to better understand the theories presented thus far, or to even understand why we are starting here. I just hope that things become more clear in the coming weeks.
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