Comments on: 4 critical unresolved issues of online learning https://ict-pulse.com/2011/11/4-critical-unresolved-issues-of-online-learning/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-critical-unresolved-issues-of-online-learning&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-critical-unresolved-issues-of-online-learning Discussing ICT, telecommunications and technology Issues from a Caribbean perspective Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:31:11 +0000 hourly 1 By: Stephanie https://ict-pulse.com/2011/11/4-critical-unresolved-issues-of-online-learning/#comment-569 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:31:11 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2139#comment-569 Great post Michelle! Also agree with Julius’ comment above.

I get the impression, and maybe the realisation, that the benefits of e-learning are dependent on the age of the e-leaner. Most of the issues you mention arise from the needs of young e-learners (for example, to develop certain social skills). Educators and policies aim to help children and young people develop these skills as early as possible. If I had to go over the issues keeping in mind a more mature/adult e-learner, I doubt whether the same issues would crop up. It might be interesting to explore these issues with regards to different age groups and hence, different needs of e-learners.

(Have a look at Mary’s blog post which refers to a few recent surveys on online learning: http://edip.diplomacy.edu/plug_in_and_learn)

]]> By: Julius Gittens https://ict-pulse.com/2011/11/4-critical-unresolved-issues-of-online-learning/#comment-496 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:01:01 +0000 http://www.ict-pulse.com/?p=2139#comment-496 Interesting points – Caveat Emptor! Surprised, though, that mention wasn’t made of what I’d consider an even bigger problem – the tendency to use online learning content and recruit content creators from outside the end-user’s culture and location. Nowhere did I read that the content will be created and delivered by Caribbean educators, empowered through training and knowledge-creation in the Caribbean. I am not convinced that this is as altruistic as the education moniker might suggest. The more children LIME can have using its bandwidth and services the better – for LIME’s profits. LIME seems to be growing a new market and it’s brought in some external firms to likely deliver cookie-cutter content that will either be bereft of culturally relevant content at worst or filled with the usual trite iconography and simplistic content.

I’d only add that these are not insurmountable issues for the Caribbean and indeed online distance educators; indeed, most of the ones you mentioned have greater resonance in large, rich countries. Re: 1) Resolution: Blended learning – the use of e-learning – to supplement face-to-face instruction will be in great demand in the region in future. No teachers in the Caribbean are being trained to sit back and let the computer do the work; no education ministry is either, to my certain knowledge. 2) Wrong elephant: Our Caribbean countries risk social alienation through the fragmentation of the family and the breakdown of institutions not e-learning. 3) Scapegoat: Writing has been an issue since the advent of television. At least the computer demands what the TV could not – reading. So half of the problem is solved; again, blended learning and e-learning are not the enemy here. 4) Solved, excitingly so: This is why Free Open Source Software, Open Educational Resources and an Open Distance Learning and the Creative Commons movement are making a huge difference – software that’s free, collaborative in writing and use and contribute to the creation of high-quality content. Indeed, e-learning can cut costs, particularly in textbook production. Content can be updated and made relevant and accurate faster than a sapling can grow. Save a tree!

E-learning won’t replace teachers. But do they need as much help as they can get – and how! And so do their students.

Nonetheless, good points worthy of further discussion and debate.

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