The clip fairly showed a general history on how technology has been used in education. Slowly the pen, paper, chalkboard, flipchart and all the 1st generation educational technology has been replaced by computers, smartboards, laptops, smartphones, ipads and the likes. So whether we like it or not, the use of technology in education (e-learning) is inevitable.
However, despite the inevitability of technology usage, I also do have concern about the readiness of learners in using these technologies in their learnings. Specifically, I feel it is important to have an in-depth understanding on how learners feel about e-learning, whether the advantages of e-learning outweighs the disadvantages.
Serhan (2010) identified the following as the positives of e-learning:
- convenience of work and study - the learners are able to keep their job while studying at the same time
- flexibility of time and space - the learners learn at their own time and anywhere they want
- learning convenience - the learners can learn at their own pace and that they can readily access information or other resources easily
The advantages listed clearly reflected Knowle's theory of Andragogy wherein adults are self-directed in terms of their learning and that they are responsible of their actions. I bet most of the students taking this paper would tick all the above reasons why they opted to take this on-line course (at least to me anyway).
The following video clip discusses further Knowles' theory:
Knightly (2007) study also reflects the same result as that of Serhan. She had specific interest on having an understanding whether online learning has potentials to "overcome barriers to participating in education by socially disadvantaged adults" (Knightly, 2007, p.264). She recognises that social class and race are factors that affect the participation of adults in education. In fact, somehow when the participants of the research (most of them are novice in online learning as well) felt less isolated as the online activities enabled them to feel more "included and involved". Some participants also claimed that "their positive experiences of learning had undone previous negative experiences of education," (Knightly, 2007, p.282).
Another advantage of e-learning is that it is more affordable compared to when taking a course. In the US, for example, Altland (2010) claims that a masters student can save up to USD12,000 when studying online.
Zembylas (2008) discusses some positive emotions that online learning brings to learner, which include "pride/contentment for fulfilling the course requirements; surprise and excitement for the emotional nature of online communication" (Zembylas, 2008, p.78), which otherwise may not be possible due to many barriers.
But there is always two sides of the coin.
Serhan's (2010) study listed the following downside of e-learning on the perspective of the students:
- lack of immediate feedback
- lack of live interaction
- self-learning which puts an extra responsibility of learning in one's own
- amount of material covered
- technical problems
Zembylas (2008) mentions some negative emotions brought about by online learning, which include:
- fear/anxiety for the unknown methodology of online learning
- feeling of alienation and disconnectedness, especially during the early part of the course
- stress/guilt for the inability to balance multiple roles and responsibilities
The way I see it, the strength of online learning is also its weaknesses. The "online classroom", in some cases (and to some learners) cannot create the real face-to-face interaction between learners and teachers.
I also take particular interest on the "negative emotions" that online learning brings as the target learners I am thinking of are migrants and refugees. Most of these learners may not have had formal education at all, particularly the former refugees. I fear that using e-learning may add more "negative emotions" to the already "frustrated" learners (who may at the same time facing language and cultural barriers in learning).
Nevertheless, other forms of web tools can minimise the negative impact of online learning. For example, the use of "live chatboards" would provide "immediate feedback" as the live chat is real time. But then again, the learners has to be online at the same time as the others so the exchange of ideas and immediate feedback could take place.
******
Altland, J. (December 2010). Benefits of online learning. FEW's News. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/865286643?accountid=8440
Knightly, W. (2007). Adult learners online: student's experiences of learning online. Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 47(2), 264-288.
Janetfinlay. (2010, May 17). Andragogy (Adult Learning). [Video file]. Retrived from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLoPiHUZbEw
Meade123. (2009, September 30). Education: The times are a changing [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuyrP_HhWEg&feature=related
Meade123. (2009, September 30). Education: The times are a changing [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuyrP_HhWEg&feature=related
Serhan, D. (2010). Online learning: through their eyes. International Journal of Instructional Media, 37(1), 19-23.
Zembylas, M. (2008). Adult learner's emotions in online learning. Distance Education, 29(1), 71-87.
No comments:
Post a Comment