E-learning:an overview

Michael Rowe

Department of Physiotherapy

The Net GenerationUnderstanding the target audience

They live, work and play online

Always connected regardless of time / place

Both consumers and creators of content

Social networks are their frames of reference

Education as it is...and why it won't last

Teacher is source of knowledge (didactic paradigm)

Mon-Fri / 9-5 One way stream of content

/ knowledge (creation and dissemination)

Social networks are disregarded

Education as it will beImplications for teachers

Use the Internet as a source of knowledge *

Be available 7 days a week Multiple streams of content

adding to richness of knowledge

Leverage network effect *

July, 2008: 1 trillion pages, 100 million sites

Network effect – measure of how the value of a product increases with each user

On social mediaweb 2.0 characteristics

Internet based tools Sharing and discussion Digital multimedia Community building /

network effect Decentralised publication

Distinct from newspapers, books, TV and film (traditional media)

Why is this important?

Managing expectations

Students Teachers Software

Not just about putting content online

Context important

KEWL 3.0 in physiotherapy

Open content Integration of social

media technologies Local support service Regular improvement Potential to enhance

traditional teaching

Wikis

Editable websites (content creation)

Freeform text / semantic web

International collaboration across time / space

Peer review process / evidence based practice

Blogs and RSS

Informal monologue Content broadcast to students Automatic updates (e.g. changes in

course readers, test dates, class times)

Podcasts

Video / audio Hearing impaired students Education anywhere

Online office suitesGoogle Docs / Groups, Skype

More efficient workflow (e.g. RSS for change updates)

Undergraduate research projects

Access anywhere Monitor progress / provide

feedback

Challenges in e-learning

Hardware (cost, inequitable distribution of resources)

Software (proprietary vs. open)

Time it takes to change (e.g. content, skills)

Traditionally poor IT literacy

The way forward

Personal learning systems

Students control learning environment, process and content

No formal classes Education anywhere on mobile

devices

Why use this...

Big and heavy / immobile Geographical limitations Too powerful for most needs Cables (power, mouse,

network) Long boot times / switched off

When you can use this... Small and compact / mobile Use anywhere Suitable for:

Email / browsing Photos / video Office applications

Wireless Always / instantly on It's also a phone, IM client, MP3

player, PIM Location and position aware

Conclusion

E-learning is not an option Everybody is already

online Will we join them, or

become increasingly irrelevant?

Presence

http://www.mrowe.co.za/blog

http://www.openphysio.co.za

Facebook: Michael Rowe

Skype: theboatashore

email: mrowe@uwc.ac.za