Our first chat session for my Online Education and Training course was held this week with just a few teething problems. I think I prefer the format of the "Skype chat" and looking forward to trialing the "virtual classroom" on the blackboard platform.
I am making my way through the readings for this lesson. Because I am currently teaching in a TAFE I have found Marc Rosenbergs article "What lies beyond e-learning" particulary thought provocing particularly his predictions for the next few years being
- e-learning with become more than "e-training"
- e-learning will move to the workforce - very relevant to TAFE
- blended learning will be redefined - the "buzz" word at my workplace is now "blended learning" but what does this actually mean?
- e-learning will be less course-centric and more knowlege-centric - this will greatly affect our current funding models
- technology will become a secondary issue - many staff at my workplace believe that elearning is "too difficult" because they are still not comfortable with the technology
Rosenberg's conclusion that "we should think of e-learning and learning technology as enablers, not a strategy" is the reason why I am studying this subject. I feel that in the race to embed elearning into our teaching practices and therefore appear "innovative" (and thus remain competetive in the ever increasing education market) we could be loosing focus on "the how and why" students learn.
I welcome your comments.
2 comments:
Wow Joanne I am really impressed. I have just set up my blog- opened the apge but you have given me some ideas- i will play after this weekend too much to do next few days -Well Done!!!
Joanne I have not been involved in Skype chat at all but I would be willing to check it out.
It is important not to loose focus of how and why children leran. A very real issue however i feel is engaging children in learning. Whilst not using e learning as a gimmick or play I beleive that it is really important that we keep current in technology that is REAL for the children we teach.....we have to move with them but always keeping the aim in mind.
Post a Comment