Schmidt, K.J., & Sullivan, M.J. (2004). Back to the future redux: Research directions for distance learning. The Texas Journal of Distance Learning [Online serial], 1(1), 14-19. Available: http://www.txjdl.org/articles/1/future/
Back to the Future Redux: Research Directions for Distance Learning
Nearly one hundred years ago, the mathematician David Hilbert addressed the International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris. His address, outlining 23 major mathematical problems to be studied in the 20th century, is often recognized as the most influential speech on mathematics. He began his philosophical message with:
Who of us would not be glad to lift the veil behind which the future lies hidden; to cast a glance at the next advances of our science and at the secrets of its development during future centuries? What particular goals will there be toward which the leading mathematical spirits of coming generations will strive? What new methods and new facts in the wide and rich field of mathematical thought will the new centuries disclose?
Those of us working in the field of distance learning cannot help but wonder what the future will bring and what new knowledge is needed in this upcoming millennium. David Hilbert singularly influenced the guiding questions for the field of mathematics, yet the field of distance learning has many voices suggesting what issues to study. With all the myriad of voices involved, how can we discern which issues are fundamental to best practice and which issues need more exploration in order to encourage productive research? While the field of distance education does not have a David Hilbert to set an agenda for the pursuit of scholarly knowledge on distance learning, there are many individuals and resources to guide us in the study our field.