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Challenges facing

E-Learning

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The International Business Academy – IBA

The Higher Education Department of the International Business College with 6-7000 students

About 1000 students

Business courses at under-graduate and post-graduate levels as well as summer school programmes

Traditional teaching and e-learning

Students from many countries

Innovative and progressive institution

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E-learningSince 1996

Among the first in Denmark

Continuous development

Focus on pedagogical development

Both pure e-learning and blended learning courses

Co-operation with British universities.

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The effect of the current world economic crisis on international student mobility: challenges and opportunities.

Will the current economic crisis make e-learning a preferred choice for many internationally minded students unable to travel physically or will it have a negative effect on e-learning delivery?

Conclusions from Online Educa, Berlin – December 2011:

More demanding students

What does this require from us ?

Students expect:• Adaptive learning (learning paths)• Availability• Being involved (participative learning)• Learning through active

communication• Motivating and modern assessment

systems• Lecturers who take control and are

visible• Contents that are relevant

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Why should these students choose e-learning programmes rather than moving to study abroad?

Only because of:

• Higher quality

• Lower tuition fees

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Current Student Preferences - in order of priority

1. Studying at home

2. Going abroad to study

3. Studying through e-learning from home location

Future Student Preferences - in order of priority

1. Going abroad to study

2. Studying through e-learning from home location

3. Studying at home

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Students from different cultures require different learning styles

Power Distance

Uncertainty Avoidance

High

Low

Geert Hofstede,Cultures Consequences2001

The Nordic Approach to (e-)Learning

Low power distance and uncertainty avoidance

Students are sceptical and must be convinced through rational and convincing arguments rather than statements of facts.

Focus on arguments and discussions

Participative learning

Inductive rather than deductive learning

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The IBA’s current e-concept is based on:

• One-to-one communication

• Student involvement

• Structure and variation

• High academic level

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One single learning path – facilitated by lecturer

Discussion item 1

Learning Path

Discussion item 2

Discussion item 3

Discussion item 4

Etc

Information input(written material, video-recorded lectures, webinars, etc)

Additional and

supportive control

activities(interactive

learning objects, m/c exercises,

assignments, etc)

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One single learning path – no lecturer involved

Item 1

Learning Path

Item 2

Item 3

Item 4

Etc

Information input(written material, video-recorded lectures, webinars, etc)

Additional and

supportive control

activities(interactive

learning objects, m/c exercises,

assignments, etc)

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Combination of separate learning paths

Item 1

Learning Path 2

Item 2

Item 3

Item 4

Etc

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Discussion item 1

Learning Path 1

Discussion item 2

Discussion item 3

Discussion item 4

Etc

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Discussion Strategies

In a class room:(the funnel approach)+ synchronous e-learning session

Start with the general and easy questions

Make them more and more specific

Direct them at individual students

E-Learning:(The upside-down funnel approach)Asynchronous session

• Start with specific questions

to a text• Ask them to give examples of personal experience• Ask them to comment on each other’s entries• Ask them very general questions

Ex: 3 e-students generated 157 entries in an online discussion forum over 10 weeks during spring 2012.

Potential Threats for e-Learning

• Costs

• Image (esp related to level)

• Free programmes like:

• Lack of socialisation

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Learning Space

Coursera

How to Meet the Threats

• Minimize costs through cooperation

(eg e-Connect Centre)

• Outsource e-learning delivery

• Incorporate the free programmes into

lecturer facilitated programmes

• Cut-and-paste strategies

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Costs:

How to Meet the Threats

• Increase quality through the use of

high-quality material

• Only use professional lecturers as

facilitators

• have full control of logistics and systems

• be visible and available

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Image:

How to Meet the Threats

• ”If you can’t beat them, join them” –

or use (integrate) them

• be better

• be ”human”

• Award degrees

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Free programmes:

How to Meet the Threats

• Meet online (eg discussion groups and webinars)

• Include initial physical meetings

• Encourage group activity

• Be visible and available

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Lack of socialisation (the worst threat):

Focus Areas for e-Learning

Perceived higher quality • Adaptive learning• Increased

availability• Increased and direct communication• Adding elements of

e- teaching

• Technology that fulfils

these goals

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Lower costs

• Pooling of resources

• Outsourcing

• Cut-and-paste strategies

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Thank you for listening

Questions ?

Keld HvamAssociate Dean

IBA

Contact: khv@iba.dk