Probably we all agree of the many advantages that e-learning has over the traditional methods, some of these advantages were mentioned in other posts. But I think that e-learning also has several hurdles that one must break in order for e-learning to be effective. Here I am not referring to the use of technology in the classroom, but to a course which students can follow on their own at home, in their own time.
First of all I believe that to successfully follow a course by e-learning you have to be self-disciplined. You have to set rules for yourself to follow, and make an effort to keep a steady pace. You also have to make sure that you avoid possible distractions that you might have at home, and avoid having the "television temptation" (as the link pasted below puts it).
"you need to be disciplined, organized and dedicated in order to make a success of online education"
http://universityonline.org/distractions-in-e-learning-and-how-to-avoid-them/
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I totally agree with you Elaine. Nearly all of our students which follow the traditional methods of teaching already lack self-discipline and rarely study... they only do the necessary to obtain the certificate... with e-learning they'll probably do LESS or NOTHING unless they must log in every now and then to the system (some sort of control). Having said that, I believe that MCAST students don’t have the right attitude to follow an e-learning course. Hope I’m wrong
ReplyDeleteCan I have some feedback whether MCAST already offered some e-learning courses? And if yes, what is the feedback?
Unfortunately I agree with Ken’s comments that MCAST students don’t have the right attitude to follow an e-learning course. I believe that students especially at MCAST have not yet grasped the idea/benefits of online learning.
ReplyDeleteAt our institute all the notes and presentations are on Moodle; 2 days before an assignment a few students ask me how to access Moodle to read the notes! Let alone introducing online learning. I agree with Elaine that students have to be self- disciplined and organized.
As far I am concerned I do not know of any e-learning courses.
You have managed to pin point a very important fact about our students. Although we can talk about e-learning forever, I think that this type of learning can never be adopted to our institutes. The majority of our students want to be spoon fed and they are not capable of organising themselves.
ReplyDeleteAs Elaine has highlighted already, in order to follow e-learning courses you have to be organised. I can vouch for that myself as I have followed a brief online course. If there is no will power and determination in successfully finishing such a course one will surely fail. Temptations are the rule of the day and one has to be focused and determined as otherwise, such courses will be sheer waste of time. Personally I feel that a very small majority of our students have the capabilities and attitude to undergo such courses.
I relate people undergoing e-learning courses to people who work from home. The first impression that one gets about these two situations is very appealing, but in reality when in such situations it is quite difficult. Self discipline and determination are really important in both situations.
If MCAST is to offer e-learning courses, the applicant would know that they are applying for such a course, and they would opt for such a course because they would have some king of another commitments such as full time jobs. Thus the students will be more mature and can cope with such courses. Our present students may find e-learning difficult because they applied for a full time course for different reasons. Those who would apply to e-learning courses know before hand that they have to work hard and discipline themselves to follow the online courses. The reason students would apply for an online course, would be very different from reasons why our students are following a full time course at MCAST. Having said that, for MCAST to create online course has to work hard and market such courses very well. Also the college would need to implement some sort of a VLE and offer support to both student and lecturers.
ReplyDeleteAdd to the above posts, that is why I think that we cannot have complete e-learning courses for our MCAST full time students.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above if we have to offer full time courses for our students these would most probably not do the tasks given as they would not have someone reminding them about this - but then if we have a mixture of traditional classroom learning and e learning, here there would strike a balance between the two. Students would have spent less time at school, and they would make up for this through working through moodle or blogs at home.
I do agree that some students are not that willing to put in the effort that is required to keep up with e-learning courses. However, I have encountered quite a number of students that are enthusiastic about using technologically assisted learning and have improved their performance when given such an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWhat I would opt for is having e-learning as part of the course and used to cater for different learning styles. We cannot change the system overnight and expect students to keep up with the changes. I think that it should be phased in gradually.
Yes there are students who are not self disciplined enough, however, today’s working environment requires technological skills gained through e-learning. Thus we can only improve learners’ employability opportunities through the incorporation of technological aids for knowledge delivery.
Very valid arguments have been brought forward on this interesting topic.
ReplyDeleteI agree that if we are to embark on implementing e-Learning in our Education system, (something that we have to do in any case to keep abreast with the rest of the world), we must ensure that students are adequately prepared to be able to cope with the scenario of e-Learning.
My colleagues have mentioned issues like self-discipline, organization, dedication. These are all valid issues. But there is also the issue of computer literacy. Are our students computer literate enough to be able to follow an e-course successfully? And this is where problems start to emerge.
Most of our students have below average knowhow of basic computer applications. This will surely reflect in their performance on e-Courses. The Education system must therefore address students at an early stage and prepare them for future e-Learning that they will follow at MCAST, Junior College, Higher Secondary and University etc. In other words the Education System must train them in the skill of computer literacy.
In a way this is already being addressed with the ECDL, but since it is not compulsory, many students drop out along the way. My proposal might sound extreme and painful, but unless we make ECDL a compulsory qualification at post-secondary level, we will still have to face the situation of having students who are unable to follow e-courses and therefore miss out on e-Learning.
I teach a business related subject to around 150 students mostly at IICT, where we should be at the forefront of e-learning and using technological tools to teach our students.
ReplyDeleteBut, as I mentioned before the biggest hurdles that we as academics and the students face are the lack of resources and poor administration of the institutes. Let me give you a few examples that we face everyday; at IICT there are rooms with no computers or the ones present are prone to breakdown (just imagine this during a class assignment!)there isn't just one electronic white board and its only lately that there is a WIFI system on the institute premises.
Then what about IBAC, there are only two conference rooms where, there is a projector which has to be shared between all the lecturers and this you have to book in advance, not to mention that all assignments and homework are done on paper.
And, finally the biggest hurdle of all the Administration which instead of facilitating the smooth running of the enterprise creates barriers. Yes, they use e-mail to communicate but this is an excuse to avoid face-to-face confrontation. Modern business management demands an 'open door' policy, managing by walking about (MWA) and a democratic leadership style where you listen to the cries of your staff and the worries of the students.
Yes, I agree that students are not disciplined enough to follow an e-learning course and they will probably fall back as there isn't anyone to push them, but are we providing the right environment? do we have the right culture? do we have enough resources, to overcome the hurdles?
I agree with what Louis has just said. We cannot assume that our students know how to use computers and other gadgets. Although in this new era it is very difficult to find someone who does not know how to use mobile, laptop etc. The reason is that, our children are brought up using these gadgets at an earlier age. This helps them to be more confident in using computers and other gadgets which might come in useful in their studies.
ReplyDeleteAlso, students who are computer illiterate might be less confident and participate in a lower rate during the lesson. If we don’t design and include a few lessons for the beginners, we might encounter these problems quite easily. The traditional method of teaching can be an advantage for those students who are computer illiterate and un-technological and less well off than others. On the other hand, students who are used to using these gadgets are well off and they have an advantage over others once e-learning is implemented in education.
Mariella
Most of the posts above have brought up the issue that our students do not have the right attitude for an e-learning course or that they lack the necessary ICT skills required. I would like to point out some point however:
ReplyDelete1. We are an educational institution, (I know that we are all overburdened with work) however if there is a wrong attitude it is our duty to, at least try, modify it. Most people grumble about the educational system. We, however form part of this educational system.
2. E-learning is still a relatively new concept and as with any new concept it will have its fair share of hurdles. Hurdles however are there to be surmounted not to block us.
3. As with any new concept, it needs to be gradually introduced. Maybe it is true that some of the students would have a culture shock when faced with such a new method but I am sure that with the right guidance they would manage to overcome it.
4. While some students might lack the necessary ICT skill, most of them, I am sure, will find a way to muster the whole concept.
5. New ideas are like a fire just having a spark is not enough, you constantly need to supply air and fuel for it to stay burning.
I think that if the necessary strategy is adopted we can adopt e-learning either fully or partially to help our educational system. Students can be taught how to be responsible, how to use ICT, how to make good use of e-learning. This could be a practical method where they learn how to use computers. After all most of us had never used blogging before this module and now look at us all blogging away !!!
It is true some for some students e-learning might not do the trick; however which educational method does the trick for each and every student?
I think that e-learning, as tackled by children and adults, will obtain different results.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, children need guidance and they need to learn how to manage their own time. I think that they would already find it difficult to grasp a concept entirely on their own at home through an online course. In the classroom they learn behaviour and communication also through their peers. This is missing in an online course, which for them might lack motivation. However, I do believe that in the case of the child student, visuals, audio-visuals, etc DO help to compliment the lesson since it enhances their other intelligences, and information is retained better.
In the case of the adult student, this takes on a different perspective. In the assignment we already did for another module about Pedagogy, I came across the fact that an adult student must know why he/she is studying this for and thus this motivates the adult learner to design a time plan and manage the course in his/her own time. As long as the adult learner is independent, he/she can go to great heights.
I believe that self-learning is something that adults are able to grasp easily than children. Thus e-learning courses must be designed with as such in mind.
I believe that online learning cannot be adopted at all ages, there are certain levels in the educational system that will have to stick with traditional forms of teaching or blended learning at most. In my opinion an online course requires a certain level of maturity and as previously commented by others, self-discipline.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was still a student I felt that leaving home to go to school made a difference then studying at home. What I mean is that physically going to school helps me focus more on education, whilst when I was studying at home I would get a lot of distractions. Also when relatives and friends know that you are at home, more accessible they tend to distract you more.
What I also think is missing in e-learning is the actual experience of communication. When in class the teacher can express his feelings about the course much better, the teacher can relate more to the student. With e-learning there is greater probability that a student gets lost in the crowd, misses on important stuff and lags behind.
I have my reservations about comments such as "Our students are not prepared for e-learning", "they are not self-disciplined", etc.
ReplyDeleteNever say never. We are teaching people who can be described as digital natives - they are into gaming, chatting, texting, recording and setting up their own clips on Youtube and more.
Worried about late assignments/deadlines? Remind them via text message and email (not individually, but as a group - the technology is there!)
Worried about lack of computer literacy? That's why these learners come to school - to learn! Make them follow a unit is necessary, according to their abilities.
Worried about lack of motivation? Have a class project involving all abilities by creating a website focusing on a particular topic. You'll probably find a couple of techies, with the less-techie inclined ready to submit data/material and such. One college in Wales took the initiative of having students taking A-Level Welsh create a website about a Welsh poet, with fantastic results. A website created by students for students. This approach made use of students prior knowledge, and they learnt more than just about the poet.
Again, never say never. Have a pilot group (one class or one group) if necessary, monitor the progress, see what went well, see what did not go so well, and make any necessary changes.
Of course, there are logistics and mountains of bureaucracy to deal with (keeping Mario Zammit's contribution in mind). If our students lack motivation, there is a reason. Are we providing the right environment? This does not apply for educators only (we are the first people to get the blame). This goes for the Administration and the Top Management as well!
The last point ("you need to be disciplined, organized and dedicated in order to make a success of online education") from the main post says it all, because in order to achieve an effective e-learning experience, it is a must that students be prepared for such a course with the right attitude else it will not provide any additional benefits.
ReplyDeleteHowever such good attitude and preparation is also a must for all traditional teaching courses, and hence one can argue that with the right motivation e-learning can be extremely beneficial despite the different nature of teaching offered.
Some colleagues have made reference to the fact that a number of our students lack self-discipline and the will to reap the benefit of E-Learning tools. Whilst this may be the case for a number of students, it might not be the case for all students. What if there is a small number of small students who are ready for it? In order to adress this situation, I am drawing from 2 models of change management. You can either use the force-field model and force the students to use such tools. Alternatively you can use the unfreeze-change-refreeze model by showing them the benefits to be gained from utilising such tools, then helping them to make the transition, then ensuring that they continue using such tools. I personally believe in the latter approach. If some students start using such tools and see the benefit in them, they are likely to talk about this with their colleagues, and gradually a larger number of students are likely to join the bandwagon. As a case in point I can mention GoogleBooks wherein I had spoken to my students about the ease and benefit of using such a tool to enhance one’s assignments. As is always the case, a few students used it but many didn’t. The difference in the quality of work was obvious and this was obviously reflected in the marks obtained too. Over the next assignments, it was interesting to see how a larger number of students started making use of further research through online tools such as GoogleBooks in order to enhance their work. As they say in Maltese “Id-dinja ma saritx f’daqqa… trid tibda minn x’imkien”.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that like any other teaching technique, e-learning has its upsides and downsides. However, I must agree with the above comments that one of the biggest challenges for the adaptation of e-learning is not the Technology, but rather, something else, which we rarely consider. I was reading an interview with a certain Kartik Swaminathan, which has been instrumental in large scale Learning Management Systems deployments, and thus brings with him a wealth of experience when talking about e-learning. One of the questions this person was asked re the large scale LMS implementations was about the main challenges he faced during such implementations.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly enough, his answer is in line with the previous blogs, whereby this person argued that the greatest challenge of all, is surprisingly not technology, but is the mindset of learning and development teams themselves. ‘Managing changes thus becomes the most important factor between success and failure of new systems like these.’
Most often we think about e-learning as a replacement to classroom training, or else as a means that have no relation with any other teaching methods. This is the real problem!! Both of these approaches are a big mistake. A person cannot interchange the roles of his hands with those of his feet. Both the classroom and e-learning have their own strengths (and disadvantages), and therefore they cannot be a substitute, but rather, work in combination for a successful training delivery.
Konna qed niddiskutu l-elearning versus l-ispoonfeeding. Ma taħsbux li dawn jistgħu joqorbu la l-elearning jagħti ċans lill-istudent isib l-għajnuna lil hinn mill-klassi?
ReplyDeleteHuwa minnu, għax ġieli pruvajt, li l-istudenti jippreferi jużaw l-internet għal intenzjonijiet differenti mit-tagħlim. Iżda naħseb li b’ċertu kontroll, il-mentalità tista’ tinbidel. Ħafna mill-istudenti li niltaqa’ magħhom, jiddeċiedu li jħallu għall-aħħar peress li l-internet ikun qed iservi ta’ backup għall-materjal li għandhom bżonn għall-ħidma, u allura ftit li xejn jindenjaw ruħhom jaċċessawh kmieni. Iżda f’dal-każ, sta għal-lekċerer biex matul il-kors iġagħal lill-istudent jiġi bżonn il-materjal.
Bla dubju ħadd ma jaqbel li l-elearning għandu jieħu post il-metodi l-oħrajn, iżjed tradizzjonali bil-vantaġġi tagħhom, fosthom li jpoġġu l-lekċerer fiżikament u psikoloġikament eqreb tal-istudent.