Distance Learning Some of the Thesis

The reasoning behind such a project is that the current IPv4 is quickly running out of IP addresses. China realizes that an upgraded Internet protocol could be a huge advantage to its citizens in the future. The question that begs to be answered is, "why does China realize that importance, while the U.S. does not?"

The Moore article presents the data that "European languages make up 37.9% of users, and Asian languages 33%" and that "the proportion of sites originating in English is falling, from about 70% in 1998...to 40.2% in 2002." Such data is not a healthy sign if what one is looking for is reassurance that the United States realizes how important it is to be a leader in not just technology but the content created and used by that technology.

In the Moore article (pg. 290) it states "one effect of this continuous expansion of information is that the process of turning information in knowledge, that is, learning, must also be continuous." The author believes this to be true as well, and also agrees with the article's statement that, "education is no longer a process of acquiring knowledge in preparation for life and work, but a process of first preparing and then 'repairing' knowledge throughout the life span" (290). Since there are many individuals who believe that knowledge is power, the less knowledge gained by Americans will mean the less power they have to control their own futures. Other countries (such as China) can take advantage of that loss of control with their own continued investments in not just the necessary technology, but the information generated through the use of that technology.The Moore & Kearsley article questions " what value if any, can this technology, and the others suggested...add to distance education?" A simple answer to that is that as distance education becomes a more viable option to those that are hindered from attending a traditional brick-and-mortar, or those that are more interested in working outside of those traditional parameters, then more individuals will benefit from those options. Communities will benefit from having a more educated citizenry and America benefits because those communities benefit. In order to achieve those benefits, agreement by all involved to follow those four Laws of Media as espoused by Moore and Kearsley should be reached. Those laws are converted into four questions; 1. what does the technology enhance or intensify, 2. what does it render obsolete or displace, 3. what does it retrieve that was previously made obsolete, 4. what does it produce or become when pushed to an extreme? If Americans can keep those four questions in mind, and make decisions regarding technology based on those questions, then the future beckons invitingly. if, instead, Americans look to other countries to take the lead, show the way, and make the investments, then the advantage lost may never be gained again. It is nice that the information contained on page 291 shows Canada and the United States leading the way in users and providers of information on the World Wide Web, hopefully it will remain that way….....