E learning

What is E-learning? Several concepts or ideas The use of electronic media and ICT i education from traditional distance learning to MOC Google gives 1, 060 billion hits for e-learning Higher Education Institutions are a minority US forecasts that e-learning in HE will exceed the corporate market European universities focus e-learning on markets i developing economies foremost Asia and South America.

Aspects of elearning Material / content Structure / virtual enviroment Communication, cooperation, interactivity Student assessment Flexibility and adaptability Support (student and staff) Staff qualifications and experience Resource allocation The holistic and process aspect

Material / content Both printed and digital material Course content is moving far beyond the printed book to an interactive multimedia environment Selection and producing course material are ”blurred” The distinctions between content virtual environment and teaching and between learning and interaction become unclear. Course material might not be compiled by the teacher. External production experts are involved. In some cases even the learners become the producers.

Material/content A number of European HEIs provide learning for individuals., Buildning competences for the labour market (LL) No exact knowledge about the content

Structure/ virtual enviroment Diffirent systems Fast and changing features The virtual environment should be bases on pedagogical considerations and the institutions technical competition Totally the virtual learning environment consists of a large number of tools, from search engines, Internet voice communication, instant messaging, chat groups, blogs, networking programs online web/videoconferencing, e-portifolio programs

Communication, cooperation and interactivity More planning is required Communication stucture depends on the avaiable infrastucture, level of teacher and student competnce and the objectives of the course. Some structures focus on dialogue between teachers and learners Some structures focus on prefabricated content and interactive learning activites without teacher guidance

Flexibility / abtability Flexible course design = Where to study, when to study, study period, study pace, language of instruction and content, number of people admitted, individual or groupbased studies. Flexibility has to be balanced against structure. When open materials are presented and students can use them individually a unified student experience cannot be expected.

Support – Students and staff More than technical issues Social support imortant Teachers need support from librarians, guidance counsellors and from ICT experts

Student assessment No real diffirence in student assessment in elearning and face to face Students tend to respond to assessment requirements Assessment methods shouls encourage creativity, critical thinking, and indepth knowledge of tf the subject.

Staff qualifications and experience Increasing awerness of using new technology The learning process of the students Expectations and critcal approach to new technology Develop new evaluation skills for improving learning design

Vision and leadership A longterm vision is needed Promoting research and development National and international cooperation Supporting the staff

Resource allocation Reallocation of resources from physical locations to virtual New finacial strategy is needed.

Holistic approach These aspects that have been presented are all important. But when one aspect changes all other part need to change also.

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