Gilly Salmon has been down under - if you missed the opportunity to attend her workshops or the video conference - don't worry! LTUG member, Louise Heppell, joined Gilly for her videoconference presented in conjunction with LearnTel and has provided the following review of the session.
E-Learning Scenarios for the Future
Date: Monday 9 August 2004
Gilly explained that educational models follow very traditional, non-technological formats.
In looking at new educational models, Gilly has identified the following 4 e-learning scenarios for the future:
Planet of Contenteous – content rich learning where delivery system consists of multi-media that adhere to defined standards. In addition to content, the technology includes automatic tracking and testing, robust scheduling and sophisticated feedback. Teaching in this scenario involves content experts, online libraries and resources, and e-lecturers of large audiences.
Planet of Instantia –computer based courses where learning is available 24/7 via meta-tagged databases. Technology is scaleable and reliable, consisting of re-useable learning objects allowing learning content to be customised quickly and easily. Teaching in this scenario supports autonomous learning with a focus on skills development and adoption of in-house knowledge cultures.
Nomadic Planet – learning is anywhere and anytime using “ambient intelligence”. Delivery of small bites of focussed learning content is via wearable, portable and embedded technologies such as PDAs, Palmtops, Tablet PCs, mobiles with keyboards, GPS, and wireless. Teaching in this scenario supports mobile, portfolio teaching where universities act as a “server farm” and teachers relate to students without meeting in person.
Planet of Cafélattia – networked learning beyond the browser where learning is not digitally structured content, but an actual environment where technologies such as asynchronous and synchronous groupware create learning communities for the sharing of tacit knowledge. . Teaching in this scenario is via forms such as e-moderating, e-mentoring, and e-facilitating to enable learning through interaction and participation.
Gilly posed the following questions about the future of learning:
· Will learning be Clicks, bricks, both?
· Will learners travel to the learning, or will learning travel to the learners?
· Will e-learning function as knowledge management, or will knowledge management function as e-learning?
Gilly also spoke of learning from both success and failure. The case studies referred to were the University of Phoenix, which is a for-profit university that has seen large increases in both student numbers and revenue, and the UK e-university initiative which, after a large investment of money, experienced low student enrolments and closed in March of this year.
From 1 October, Gilly will be Professor of E-Learning and Learning Technologies at the University of Leicester.
A special thanks to Louise for this summary - certainly some interesting and thought generating concepts there - but would we except anything less from Gilly!
