Online
Learning - What's In It For Students and Teachers?
Widespread
ownership of personal computers and the vast expansion of
the world wide web (which allows online learning to take
place) is a relatively recent phenomenon. Yet there are
already a number of online courses which are available for
anybody to use from almost any location.
For
many learners, online learning provides an attractive alternative
to face-to-face teaching, especially now that some courses
include tutorial packages which give users contact with
other people - not just a machine. Since it can be accessed
whenever the user wants it, will online learning replace
traditional modes of instruction?
Online
Or Face-To-Face?
It
is true that online learning offers unparalleled access
to learning, especially for people who cannot, for whatever
reason, get to class. Yet it is worth remembering that Internet
access around the world is still only available to a small
minority of the world's population - and that some geographical
areas have much better access than others. Furthermore,
for many students and teachers, there is no substitute for
face-to-face real human communication. Language learning,
in this view, is about human connection, about how people
talk to each other.
Such
a view places real demands, therefore, on the designers
of online materials. How can they bring a properly human
dimension to Internet-delivered materials? How can providers
make sure their learners are properly supported? These are
some of the issues discussed in this month's development
pack.
Designing
Online Materials/Remembering The User
A
crucial aspect of online learning is the design of the learning
sites themselves. Are they attractive and clear enough for
the users they are designed for?
Will the look and feel of them help the learners along or
impede their progress? How easy is it to navigate through
a site and make use of the many facilities that the site
offers?
How can tutorials be administered, and learning groups with
peer tutors be created?
The
extracts and articles in this month's development pack look
at all these issues, from the history of online learning,
to the advantages and disadvantages of ready-made vs do-it-yourself
courses; from problems and solutions of tutorial access
to a masterclass on design principles.
Download
the Development Pack and
join me in the next live chat session to discuss the issues
raised - go to The Forum for details.
I
hope you enjoy reading, thinking about and discussing this
hot topic!
Jeremy Harmer
