E-learning and Social Exclusion

E-learning Place Pace Time Cost Effective

Potential Extra Benefits Invisible - equal dialogue Access to Information Location Flexible - family commitments More access to expert and other support

Development and Issues Access ICT Competence Online Learning Retention Learning Materials Learning Skills Tutor Skills

Home Access National Statistics September % Households in UK Geographical Differences (31% Wales) Gender Differences (67% men and 58% Women) Income (82% highest - 10% Lowest) Age (94% of and 17% of 65 and over)

Location of Use of Internet National Statistics Oct 2000  Home 72%  Another person’s home 34%  Workplace 38%  Educational Location 24%

Adults – Never Used the Internet 38% never used the Internet 73% of adults who had never used Internet stated very unlikely to use it

E-learning Mailgroups Video conferencing Chat rooms Interactive Materials Downloading materials Web

Retention Distance Motivation is critical Measurement difficult to compare The Critical Factor Retention and support mechanisms

Support Multiple Layers Reception General Tutorial/Subject Peer Distance Face-to-face Proactive and Reactive

Learning Materials Supply - range of subjects and learners Quality Design Skills

Learning skills 1 Autonomy - where, how and when to learn Increased responsibility for own learning Self-discipline and motivation Self-assessment

Learning skills 2 Time management Research skills Communication skills (e.g. group working, /writing etc.) Evaluation of information

Tutor Skills - Real time More preparation required Number of simultaneous learners about 5 Divided attention Interactive and participative Immediate Feedback Stressful experience

Tutor Skills - Other Feedback - primary task - mostly written -annotate electronic documents - Peer evaluation - can be helpful but they need a structure to help them (e.g. checklist) Moderation and facilitation Heavy workload

and Face-to-Face Answering distinct questions time lag difficult to diagnose problems Support multiple learners Discussion Immediate Good diagnostic method Limited numbers

Learning Centres Fixed Mobile Outreach Virtual

Learning Centres Location is vital Presentation Support

Summary Revolutionary in some parts of education Lots to learn Limited evidence

Alan Clarke