e-Learning: Promise and PitfallsEDUC 391Web-based Technologies in Teaching and Learning Assignment 1

Sonia Yu

Definition and Features of e-learning• Definition: Training or instruction delivered on a

computer (including CD-ROM, Internet, or Intranet) that is designed to support individual learning or organizational performance goals.

• Features: ▫ What: Includes content relevant to the learning

objective▫ How: Uses instructional methods such as examples

and practice to help learning▫ How: Uses media elements such as words and

pictures to deliver the content and methods▫ Why: Builds new knowledge and skills linked to

individual learning goals or to improved organizational performance

What about?

•Hybrid forms of e-learning? i.e. combine classroom in-person teaching with “e-learning” where instruction is conducted via computer medium

What about?• Learning

community?• How different is e-

learning community from a classroom community

• Learning in virtual community?

• E.g. Second life?

What about?Coursework, websites, blogs, chatboards?

What about?

Search engines,Wikipedia

What about?

•Social network sites

•Facebook, friendster

e-learning Promises• Practice with feedback

▫How “tailored” and how relevant is the feedback vs. classroom instruction?

• Collaboration in self-study▫Risk of self-study is the student might lack

direction and might go down the wrong path without teacher pulling him/her back

▫Collaboration is good, but hard to coordinate• Use of simulation to accelerate expertise

▫True, but maybe situation specific and more performance (esp principle) oriented

e-learning Pitfalls• Failure to define job knowledge and skills

▫True for all forms of learning?• Failure to accommodate learning processes

▫Maybe some day technology can take care of that? Will we have robots to replace teachers in school?

• Attrition▫Drop out rates may be higher, but e-learning

can also be more convenient for continuing education candidates

• Technological hindrance▫Computer performance, internet connection etc