How Well Does Your Online Learning Stack Up?
Printer Friendly Version
Online learning is education and training delivered
and supported by technological networks such as the Internet.
Students or learners are able to learn whenever they want and
from anywhere they have access to the Internet. Online learning
encompasses both distance learning and the provision of technology-enhanced
learning within a traditional classroom.
The evolution of the Internet, increases in bandwidth capacities,
and the popularity of personal computers have combined to see
online learning growing at unbelievable rates. It is quickly becoming
the learning method of choice for many, in particular, those who
have had positive experiences with it at the outset. As long as
organizations maintain quality and service, this growth phenomenon
will continue for some time.
Discussion by participants in the Association Management Education
program suggests many associations are delivering or planning
soon to utilize online learning applications. A small group of
associations launched online services back in 1997 and another
larger group started in 2000. An even larger group is involved
in development or expansion at this time. By 2005 I suspect it
will be rare to find an association involved in some form of educational
programming not providing online learning. Students in universities
and colleges are slowly being exposed to online learning and in
a few years they will expect their continuing professional development
to be available in an online format.
Online learning is a fairly new initiative, and organizations
that subscribe to continuous improvements are looking to evaluate
their recent progress and practices to ensure their users are
receiving an appropriate service level and value. Several associations
have participated in self-evaluation activities, others have embarked
on more formal benchmarking projects, some have brought in independent
consultants to conduct the evaluation and benchmarking and yet
some have engaged in minimal evaluation and make changes only
upon receipt of one or more complaints. Associations that have
been delivering online learning for several years are now asking
themselves how well they are delivering their online educational
programs. They are looking for tools, standards, guidelines and
better practices to assist with self evaluation.
There are a number of publications, standards and guidelines
available that are being used by organizations to assist with
self evaluation and as reference material for consultants. User
feedback and evaluation information will allow your organization
to see how you stack up and will help determine the level and
type of improvements necessary.
Since 1997 I have been involved in the development and delivery
of over 35 online courses and modules for different organizations.
Instructing and coaching over 100 course offerings has also provided
me with insight into some of the trends and issues around development
and delivery.
One thing I have noted is that, for some reason, those involved
in online learning are treated more like customers than students.
Users want their basic requirements to be met and are not eager
to jump into using complex courseware. They will move into the
flash and splash features as they mature and develop their confidence
with online learning. At all times they are more concerned with
content and leaving the course with knowledge to help them be
more successful in what they do. What that suggests is that we
have to be careful not to let our online learning technology get
too far ahead of our users.
Web cams might be a must for some courses in 2005, but their
use in 2000 was simply not on for most students. Even now I only
have one or two students take me up on the offer to look and talk.
That may be because they tend to do their course discussion work
late at night or early in the morning in casual wear, or because
very few employers have web cams accessible to their staff.
Understanding online learning advantages and disadvantages helps
identify potential areas for improvement as a self evaluation
is completed. Organizations with an online learning strategy intent
on retaining online learners know all to well the importance of
confirming that what is developed and delivered meets user expectations.
Online Learning Advantages:
- No time spent commuting to class
- No travel costs
- Can lower costs for both learning providers and organizations
that need training
- Often less costs for students than traditional programs
- Can be more effective for certain types of learners
- There are no geographical location constraints
- You can learn at your own pace
- Instruction can be more customized and flexible
Online Learning Disadvantages:
- Lack of face to face interaction
- Equity of access to learners of all backgrounds and parts
of society
- Requires new skills and responsibilities from learners
- Educators need to learn to be effective online instructors
- Academic honesty of online students
- Types and effectiveness of assessments
- Hard for instructors to move traditional content online
- More time consuming for instructors to provide individualized
feedback
- Equipment needs of students and learning providers
- Technical training and support of learners and instructors
User expectations have been surveyed and analyzed extensively
in the last few years by providers of technology applications
and others. Supportive solutions have identified and made. There
are many organizations involved in this service and there is no
shortage of applications available. Costs have gone down and service
levels up.
Researchers, educators, providers, users and organizations have
engaged in projects and established organizations to ensure the
effectiveness and efficiency of online learning continues.
It is only a matter of time before a collective of organizations
will get together and will represent the innovation and excellence
aspects of online learning. Included in this responsibility will
include activities to develop guidelines and standards.
You don't have to wait for long to get some guidance and direction.
There is assistance available now from a number of sources. Doing
a web search will reveal significant sources and the need for
a portal for this area.
One of the sources I use are the guidelines develop by Dr. K.
Barker from British Columbia. Several years ago she worked with
a number of organizations to develop guidelines. In fact her guidelines
are recommended by key organizations. She is one of a number of
Canadians on the leading edge in terms of online or e-learning.
She has also developed a Consumer Guide to e-learning. This information
is available on a number of sites. A good place to start is on
Barker's site www.FuturEd.com.
The guidelines cover topics such as:
- Management of students
- Registration procedures
- Intake and placement procedures
- Management of student records
- Assistance with technologies being used
- Approaches to learning
- Instructional strategies
- Scheduling and timetabling
- Assessment of learning
- Appropriate technology
- Communications facilities, process and practices
- Intended learning outcomes
- Curriculum content
- Teaching/learning materials
- Technical design
- Marketing information
- Appropriate and necessary personnel
- Other learning resources
- Program plans and budgets
- Evaluation
Examples from the guidelines:
Technologies are appropriately used to:
- engage and support learners
- accommodate and promote individualization
- create opportunities for students to do meaningful work
- increase proficiency at accessing, evaluating and communicating
information
- improve student abilities to solve complex problems
- nurture artistic expression
- enable active engagement in the construction of knowledge
- meet national and international standards for students with
disabilities
Learning technologies are appropriate to:
- the field of study or subject matter content and skills
- the intended learning outcomes
- the relevant characteristics and circumstances of the learner
- cost and benefit for the learner
- provide multiple representations of content
- enable concept mapping within the learning environment
- make available real-world situations and simulations
- provide assistance, guidance and communications to the learner
These online learning standards are a good reference for self-evaluation
at the present time. Documents like this will be refined and developed
as technological and learning innovations occur. Perhaps now is
the time to see how your organization's online learning activity
stacks up.
This column features innovation and practical solutions applied
to challenges, trends, issue and opportunities for the association
community. Column editor Jim Pealow, MBA, CMA, CAE is a consultant
and the Association Management Education Program Lead Instructor/Coach
for CSAE. He can be reached at jim@amces.com.
|
