CUTTING CORNERS THREATENS FUTURE OF eLEARNING

As with any rapidly developing initiative, eLearning is facing growing pains. The biggest dilemma is how to choose quality learning products without being carried away by the glitziness of the technology. And the biggest challenge is not to focus on the “e” but on the “learning”. Learning portals, digitised books posted as a PDF on a website or a print document re-designed into a screen-friendly format are not creating eLearning. They are creating an illusion of eLearning.

For eLearning to be effective, due attention must be paid to integrating content, pedagogy and technology that focuses on students’ learning. Anything less is cutting corners, which threatens the quality, effectiveness and, indeed, the future of eLearning.

A common myth about eLearning is that it’s cheap. In fact, eLearning is not easy on the pocket. It requires the same upfront investment in content creation and pedagogic discourse as any quality learning programme. It also requires a high level of sophistication in instructional design. Plus, there is the technology – how to use technology appropriately to underpin content and pedagogy is often overlooked.

The basics – learner objectives, needs, context and expectations – are crucial, along with course objectives, approaches and outcomes. Creating learner-centric, self-instructional materials that effectively guide the student in the learning process takes time and resources. Carefully produced self-instructional materials project the voice of the silent facilitator, motivating and guiding individual students in front of a computer to learn, interact, create and reflect, to name a few.

In a face-to-face setting, the mastery and recall of knowledge can be discussed, debated, queried, tested and clarified on the spot. In eLearning, where the student, peers and the teacher are physically separated, learning must take place through carefully planned activities that guide the learning process.

Furthermore, assessment, including baseline, diagnostic, formative and summative, must be carefully planned and executed in a non-contact environment. No corners to be cut!

Another area where it’s tempting to cut corners is learner support. eLearning programmes require learner support, especially if you are trying to create sustained changes in behaviour, if the learning involves complex concepts or if students would benefit from encouragement and explanation. The increasing sophistication of online environments such as discussion groups and learning management systems, as well as good old email, have ushered in a new generation of eTutors. Easy to access, knowledgeable and able to provide motivation, eTutors play an invaluable role in eLearning, particularly with learners who are in remote locations.

While eLearning is making important advances, particularly in learning for development, our challenge is to resist the temptation to think of it as quick, easy and cheap. It is an exciting road that needs a good planning and navigation system without cutting corners.