eLearning: opportunities and challenges Dr Keshav Dahal University of Bradford K.P.Dahal@bradford.ac.uk http://www.inf.brad.ac.uk/~kpdahal

Predictions “Universities won't survive. The future is outside the traditional classroom ………. Thirty years from now big university campuses will be relics” Peter Drucker, Management guru “Information technology will bring mass customization to learning…people anywhere will be able to take the best courses taught by the greatest teachers…” Bill Gates “By 2020, eLearning will be the main stream and classroom teaching will be supporting part.” International conference on eLearning for Knowledge-Based Society, 2008

Distance learning: History Formal distance learning began in the 1890s with correspondence courses… Distance learners: Thomas Edison Abe Lincoln Henry Ford Early media: Correspondence, Telephone, Audiotext, Fax, Cassettes, Film, AV, Radio, TV Open Universities New ICT media Moving from distance learning to eLearning

eLearning: Definitions The use of Internet and communications technology to deliver and support learning by students both at a distance and on campus An alternative for face-to-face learning Full eLearning adaptation: 80-100% learning takes place through Internet/Online Hybrid/Blended learning: 30-79% through internet/online eLearning uses a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or Learning management system (LMS)

Towards eLearning: Drivers New learning infrastructures: intranet & Internet The new technology means continuous learning anywhere, anytime is now a reality. “Time to knowledge” Distributed workforce Cost and competitive pressures Need to integrate learning into work processes Arrival of “Nintendo Generation” into workforce

eLearning - opportunities Access: Making training more available to learners. Cost: Reducing training costs. Content: Greater supply, variety, and higher quality content Relevance: Specific to people’s work. Courses to smaller learning “chunks” Speed: Responding to constant change and rapid product innovations. Efficiency: More dynamic learning and improved interactivity while learning training and booking instructors. Empowerment: Putting the responsibility for learning in the hands of learners. Greater use of learning communities Convenience: Letting time-pressured students learn at the best time and place.

eLearning system: Architecture

Obstacles in eLearning Human Organizational Cultural Resistance Instructional Technological Bandwidth Interactivity Technology support Development costs

Obstacles in eLearning Old paradigms in new eLearning bottles: One to many teaching may not work – different communication/social/cultural changes new learning models Some eLearning tools designed with traditional teaching concept BlackBoard uses concepts of chalk-&-talk method Boldington Common uses analogy of university buildings to move in virtual space

Finally .... Some facts Sloan Consortium – international organisation for promoting eLearning USA: Many virtual universities (Phoenix largest; Capella Uni in NASDAQ) 20% students took at least one eLearning course in 2008 90% consider for eLearning option (due to economic down turn) Europe: FP project calls (eLearning framework and open contents) ICT-2007.4.1 Digital libraries and technology-enhanced (12 projects funded) ICT-2007.1.4 Secure, dependable and trusted infrastructures eLearning Programme (2001-2006) (25 projects + 16 reserve) EU countries: UK JISC calls, HEFCE calls, eUniversity (UKeU) - £62 million pounds + private finance ??? Spain - Open university of Catalonia France, Italy, Hungary ??? Asia: Virtual universities in Malaysia, Thailand .... ASIAN universities – big investments and collaborations Nepal – open university bill ? Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan ??