e-Learning: Promise and Pitfalls EDUC 391 Web-based Technologies in Teaching and Learning Assignment 1 Sonia Yu

Definition and Features of e-learning Definition: Training or instruction delivered on a computer (including CD-ROM, Internet, or Intranet) that is designed to support individual learning or organizational performance goals. Features: What: Includes content relevant to the learning objective How: Uses instructional methods such as examples and practice to help learning How: Uses media elements such as words and pictures to deliver the content and methods Why: Builds new knowledge and skills linked to individual learning goals or to improved organizational performance

What about? Hybrid forms of e-learning? i.e. combine classroom in-person teaching with “e-learning” where instruction is conducted via computer medium

What about? Learning community? How different is e- learning community from a classroom community Learning in virtual community? E.g. Second life?

What about? Coursework, websites, blogs, chatboards?

What about? Search engines, Wikipedia

What about? Social network sites Facebook, friendster

e-learning Promises Practice with feedback Collaboration in self-study How “tailored” and how relevant is the feedback vs. classroom instruction? Collaboration in self-study Risk of self-study is the student might lack direction and might go down the wrong path without teacher pulling him/her back Collaboration is good, but hard to coordinate Use of simulation to accelerate expertise True, but maybe situation specific and more performance (esp principle) oriented

e-learning Pitfalls Failure to define job knowledge and skills True for all forms of learning? Failure to accommodate learning processes Maybe some day technology can take care of that? Will we have robots to replace teachers in school? Attrition Drop out rates may be higher, but e-learning can also be more convenient for continuing education candidates Technological hindrance Computer performance, internet connection etc