Great Expectations! Reflections on distance e-learning and tutoring "Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There's no better rule." - Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Expectations of e-learning The great ‘white hope’ of education ? –Technology Enhanced Education; an almost unchallenged assumption? Perhaps should carry the warning ‘Technology can seriously damage your expectations’. Like any other medium, can produce the goods if used correctly…that is, for the right educational purpose. Reduced time…true or false?... Cost efficient… true or false?

The School The Tutors The Learners Another way of delivering a course Cheaper Less staff Virtually runs by itself Promotes department to wider audience CAN DO IN OWN TIME Can re-create same sort of interactions as in classroom Can do as much, or as little as I want Reduced time…true or false?... Cost efficient… true or false? As much or as little Acceptable? Controllable? Face-to-face modelling Or another paradigm needed?

The student experience so far… Some student posts that serve to raise questions that we need to address… “Learning experiences using ICT, on a first person report, do differ significantly from other more “traditional” ones. This e-learning course has made me work in a different way than what I was used to when in a formal learner’s role. Topics are introduced and we are encouraged to look for additional information from a variety of sources. When looking for it, it has happened that I end up finding something else, that leads me to open another door and find something else of interest, and so on”

“What you lose through lack of one to one chat and social interaction you gain because you can dip in and out whenever you want and hence keep the work life balance a bit healthier at home.”... “Have to agree with that comment. I think personally this course is playing havoc with my home time! It is not just about dipping in you have to keep at it to keep up”

Them & Us… Lack of face-to-face may have engendered a “them & us” attitude from students about tutors. It’s not just about policing and auditing, it’s about facilitating the learning experience. Need to break down the barriers and make them feel like the tutor is sat in the corner of the room drinking a coffee whilst openly listening in to their discussion… how you do this is harder??

Students & Technology Not everyone will contribute to Discussion Board –But the lurkers are (possibly) still learning a lot Give the option of using a Wiki or a Discussion Board for a task –They’ll choose the Discussion Board… at first at least, but then some will realise that it actually does work better in a Wiki and mutiny! Tell them to reflect on some questions in a private Blog that no one will look at and is not assessed –Over 50% will take part???

What needs to be done… Clarify and be realistic about expectations…for all parties This means: Accurate marketing of the course to attract the right sort of learner…not based on subject need alone Matching purpose of course with method of learning Absolute clarity re any activities set Clear and simple navigation around course Explicit understanding of role of tutors and learners Investment or time by tutors and learners in course, by department in funding Just because it exists in a virtual world, the people in it are real, so don’t ignore it! Be responsive

Questions?