Possibilities and limits of global e-learning

tvaris

The globalization of society and the rise of a knowledge-based economy have combined in the past decade to impose drastically raised expectations upon higher education institutions. Governments and corporations look to universities for innovative uses of new information technologies in teaching and administration, while also expecting that universities will make their students sufficiently technology-literate to participate in a global economy. This vision of the new university emphasizes more than before the role of market forces in shaping the institution, the need to respond to users´ needs, and the need to deliver knowledge continuously through distance learning and lifelong learning. However, the vast majority of universities as well as the public and private organizations they work with are unprepared to reorganize themselves to address these new demands.
What are the intellectual, institutional and pedagogical problems that we are facing in global e-learning? What is the challenge for small countries?
More by Tapio Varis in: www.uta.fi/~titava/gallery.html

moderator · Post subject: Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 3:36 pm

Tapio Varis said "the vast majority of Universities are un-prepared to reorganize themselves to address the new demands of the knowledge-based economy".

At the same time, according to the results of the HECTIC Project, “most European universities have not yet determined their strategic positions regarding their main priorities for the future, taking into account the challenges of e-learning”, following Dr. Peter Floor contribution.

And, to complete a little bit more that picture and following Pierre Antoine’s comment in this Forum: “elearning can clearly help as a tool but can also change the whole panorama with the introduction of new private actors "competing" with public ones. Are we ready for it?”

This could be a very good point to be discussed: will e-learning help to ameliorate the traditional higher education system as we know it? Or will play some role in replacing “old universities” by some new forms of organisations?

harald

I agree with Tapio Varis that "the vast majority of Universities are un-prepared to reorganize themselves to address the new demands - - ”. He is talking about “-the knowledge-based economy". But I am afraid this has a much wider range, not only economy but the whole organization. Are the old universities prepared to take advantage of modern e-learning, to collaborate, to exchange products and expertise, to acknowledge study programmes and credits from each other? I am afraid not.

E-learning is putting an extra pressure on the institutions here - and may be the necessary push to start the process. If e-learning is defined as learning situations where learning is supported by electronic networks and other ICT tools, this may still be organized within the old structure. But if the Internet and global distribution of courses and learning material keep on expanding, the old universities will loose some of their power and status unless they enter the band wagon. Universities should not become supermarkets for modules and popular courses, delivering ‘pure e-learning’ in competition with private enterprises. They should rather take advantage of their solid academic basis, and go for study programmes that add something positive to the existing situation.

One possibility is to go into collaboration with other institutions, exchanging courses, staff / expertise and students over the Internet, thus increasing their attractiveness and variety of courses available. Still they may keep their own profile, take advantage of a professional staff, student support and infrastructure, as a mixed or ‘blended’ solution. Combinations of on-line e-learning and physical seminars or meetings with students may be a preferable way of organizing study programmes. Each student then still belongs to one academic university, not an anonymous e-learning institution. This is the model that is suggested by the MENU project (http://www.hsh.no/menu )

If e-learning shall be the buzz word and political slogan to encourage traditional universities to change, we must accept a definition of e-learning that includes the blended organization, not only the pure e-learning that excludes the use of other forms of learning situations than net based delivery, discussions and contact. Collaboration and internationalisation may be other key issues.

torosud · Post subject: **torosud** Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2003 7:10 pm

I think ,the learning-link is efficient to the people that about it need to learn.For example I had been a :Work-Link,if can you see!!!!! (www.logratis.com)for trslations: www.publimatic.com/torointerregional and the Links:www.publimatic.com/interkulturespaolaleman www.publimatic.com/torointerkultur This is for South-America/Distric:Rio de la Plata.-Thank you for your ATENTION!!!!!!!!

pfloor

I fully agree with Harald (and others in this line) that traditional universities should find their specific own way in the use of ICT in their education. Similar views are reflected in my contributions elsewhere in the forum and on the homepage.
A problem may be that there are too many universities in Europe which consider themselves traditional, or aspire to become traditional. This is why we think that institutional strategic positioning is so important just now. A sharp evaluation of strengths and weaknesses may assist in revealing whether there will be sufficient potential for being traditional, otherwise falling student numbers, lack of research grants and leaving staff will force decisions.

torosud · Post subject: **My usefull Motto.** Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2003 1:50 am

Knowlege,Comunication,and Culture;it is a good form,for "undertanding"between the Human-Relations;allso the Human-Spirit.- torosud.-

calmansi

TadFromPoland

TadFromPoland

TadFromPoland · Last edited by TadFromPoland on Sun May 04, 2003 3:23 am, edited 1 time in total

TadFromPoland