eLearning: Benefits, Constraints and other Views

In the eLearning Policies Course I am currently taking at ADBi, Vincent Quah of Microsoft Corporation discusses some eLearning basics.

First, he puts in perspective what eLearning is:

E-learning is learning experiences that are delivered to remote locations through the use of technology and real time collaboration. E-learning is not about posting contents on the web but there must be engagements and interaction between learners and contents. The function of e-learning is to empower educators and learners to express their ideas easily, interact with others, explore and discover the world, manage the learning process, and finally assess its quality and quantity.

A good definition. Unfortunately, many miss the point of eLearning which is LEARNING. The focus on the technology and infrastructure aspects are important but they are not the only factors to consider. They are critical, yes, but at the end of the day the question that should be answered is: DID (OR WILL) THE STUDENT LEARN?

A good eLearning course or program should be interactive and engaging, empowering, paraphrasing Mr. Quah. And he is right. One of the key issues that one should always keep in mind is that learners learn in different ways and value different things.

One person may like visuals, movies, graphs, maps, colors, illustrations. Just like in the classroom, visual aids enhance the learning experience.

About two years ago, I was introduced to the world of audio books and podcasting. Instead of music in my mp3 player, I had stories and lectures and conversations. And learn I did. Sound is also a compelling add-on, especially for people on the move.

Another one might like asking questions and having a person to converse with. Some students find it easy to learn with their classmates while still others would rather learn alone.

So can eLearning answer all of a learner’s needs? Is it the panacea to education?

No.

eLearning should not be viewed as the be all and end all of learning. Just as traditional classroom, laboratory or on-on-one learning methods are tools, so is eLearning. Think of it as this: what email is to traditional post, so is eLearning to traditional teaching-learning methods.

But at the very least, it is a solution to many problems education has like lack of teachers, classrooms, opportunities, etc. Up to a certain degree, we can call it the next best thing to learning since the Gutenberg press.

Mr. Quah also outlined

The benefits:

• supplements/complements learning
• frees precious time
• provide fundamental grounding and mass training
• geographically unlimited access.

There are advantages to eLearning: Not limited by time or location and can be given to more people. Faster, farther, more consistency and choices, better quantity and quality.

I think of the farmers' children who help till the land during the day who can benefit from eLearning at night. Or the adults who would like to improve their lot but are bogged down during the day with work. Of the helpers and drivers and service providers who would like to learn a new skill. With eLearning, they can.

However, not is all rosy. As simple as it may seem, there are a lot of things to consider with an eLearning program.

Again, Vincent tells us the

Constraints of eLearning:

• learner management
• content creation and delivery
• administration management system

Of the three, content creation and delivery I think is more important from the learner's point of view. It's still all about the learning (although, management and administration are key to a systematic approach to any program).

Key problems in e-learning:

• lack of personal touch
• control
• supporting infrastructure
• access
• frequent changes in the role of instructors

Many people I know always cite the lack of a teacher to talk with as the number one problem of eLearning. We have been used to having someone in front teaching us that the idea of not having one frightens many.

I agree that personal touch CAN BE very important but it may not always be necessary. Admittedly, this concern is valid and should be addressed but it doesn’t mean eLearning is not an effective learning tool. I believe there are more ways than one to scale this fish. For many, it is a matter of perspective, of attitude or sufficient motivation. For some, it’s a non-issue at all. Still others, they only have to try it and they’ll get hooked.

When I first started with eLearning, I was bored to my wits. It was DOS-based, text with little or no animation, no audio much less, video. Did I learn? Yes, thought retention is minimal at best. Did I enjoy it? Not really. (I think enjoyment and interest are key ingredients to learning along with the right mindset, desire and motivation).

Enter the new generation of audio, video, animation and interaction.

I work full time and am engaged in several activities. Time is of the essence for me. I would rather learn by myself with a computer and not be nailed down to a specific place and time. I like the freedom to learn what I want, when I want it and where I want it. If you can give me the choice of “how” I want it delivered and if you I can “have fries with that”, that would be superb.

Control issues and role changes speak of administration and training. They may be talking points but they have solutions. I believe that the combined eLearning experiences of many is a great resource for these and what ADBi is doing with eLearning Policies Course is a step forward. These are things a good project manager can handle. It’s just a matter of evaluating what’s best for a program. It’s not as if you are going to look for the cure for cancer.

The bigger concern is infrastructure for a lot of developing countries. But with the $100 Laptop from MIT, Free and Open Source Software and the continuously decreasing price of hardware and connectivity costs, I am confident that a connected world is just near the horizon.

Implementation considerations

• training for instructors and users
• launching pilot phases
• developing clear defined deliverables
• goals and objectives
• providing communication lines

eLearning is not a field of dreams where you just build it and they’ll come. eLearning is for the most part a change management issue. It is a new way of doing things, of learning. As with any change, there will be resistance. How this resistance is faced and dealt with is no simple task but it is not impossible either. When the computer was first introduced, the majority of people brushed it aside. Now, it seems that we can’t get enough of them. I can’t (no, I don’t want to) imagine life without a computer.

Making eLearning work takes a lot of planning and thinking. All stakeholders should be given assurance of their role and that they will clearly benefit from it.

There is no better time than now to give eLearning a try.

Will you?