The E-Learning Space:
Strengths:
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Computers and software can allow for better efficiency in the classroom as they “can deliver instructional programs and information fast, covering virtually any area of the curriculum and geared to any age or ability level” (Etherington 2008 page 29)
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E-learning is embraced by most educational institutions as a “positive step towards improving performance, learning, speed, flexibility, versatility, interactivity and ultimately enabling learners to be more autonomous” (Etherington 2008 page 30).
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E-learning great for building inclusive knowledge societies (UNESCO)
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“If you can maintain the necessary self-discipline, the benefits of eLearning are almost too numerous to count” (elearningnc 2016)
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For Teachers
Challenges:
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Unrealiability of the internet connection.
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Student computers uncharged.
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Lack of computers for all students at schools
For Students:
Strengths:
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Information is gathered faster and easier (Westwood, 2008).
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E-learning great for building inclusive knowledge societies (UNESCO 2016)
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"Flexible and intentionally developed learning environments encourage innovation and inquiry and help create a sense of belonging and purpose that strengthens the learning culture." These environments promote "high expectations and respect diversity and difference, facilitating learning for all students" (Catholic Schools Office Diosease of Lismore).
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Students are connected to a world beyond the classroom.
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Enhances student achievement through engagement and individualised learning (CEOSYD 2008).
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Allows students to make decisions about their own learning (CEOSYD 2008).
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Challenges:
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Whilst there is a sense of entering a space on the computer when starting e-learning there is no sense of physical connection (Etherington 2008 p. 34). Personally for me, I prefer having a physical connection to someone, it’s how I learn best. If a student learns best through seeing things in a physical sense then they will possibly be less likely to learn best in this environment.
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In web-based pedagogy “students must be literate and competitive” if they are to make the most of the formal properties of E-learning (Cole 2000). In the e-learning environment there is a lack of ability to “think aloud, work through, constitute and articulate new ideas”. (Etherington 2008 p. 36).
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The efficiency of the internet can also be a problem. Students can be considerably disadvantaged at stages due to internet problems. In a year one class in a school in Parramatta only half the students were able to access the internet hence they were unable to participate in the activity. Or at a school in Winston Hills; where there weren’t computers for every student and often the internet was not working.
What is it?
E-Learning is learning utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a traditional classroom (elearningnc 2016).
Great examples for getting you started on your e-learning spaces:
http://epotential.education.vic.gov.au/showcase/elearning_planning/learning_places_spaces
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/principals/curriculum/elp09.pdf
http://www.stpeters.sa.edu.au/academic/elearning/elearning-milestones
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/every-learner/6776
http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/About/Documents/dp-elearn.pdf
ClassFlow: Learning Beyond the Classroom
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A great way you can start a e-learning environment is through closed interent environments. For example Edmodo is a great site for class dicussion, learning and task and is quite simple to use. https://www.edmodo.com/
References:
Catholic Schools Office Diosese of Lismore (2016) Technology and elearning in the classroom. http://www.lism.catholic.edu.au/education/technology-and-elearning-in-the-classroom/
Catholic Schools Office Sydney (2008). ilearn. http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/About/Documents/dp-elearn.pdf
E-LearningNC (2016) What is eLearning? http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/what_is_elearning/
Etherington, M (2008) E-Learning pedagogy in the Primary School Classroom: the McDonaldization of Education. Australian Journal of Teacher Education. V33 Issue 5.
UNESCO (2016) E-Learning. http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/icts/e-learning/
Westwood, P. (2008). A parent’s guide to learning difficulties. Melbourne: Australian Council for Educational Research.
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How can we address these challenges?
Schools often have little control over the internet connection let alone teachers. Find out what other classes around you are planning at the time you plan to work on the internet. If lots of classes will be using the internet you might just have to change the time you decide to do the activity.
Make a rule in the classroom that whoever puts an electronic device back plugs it in as well.
This is something you do not have control of. What you can control is borrowing from other classrooms. Organise your times with the teachers around you so that you can borrow electronic devices from the other classes so that each member of your class will have one to work on.
How can we address these challenges?
For the second point you can get students to record, outloud, their thinking and then everyone can share their recordings once the task is finished.
For the third point see response to teacher challenges.