Very concise consideration of some of the aspects of eLearning.

1. Introduction to eLearning
Kemi-Tornio University of Applied
Sciences
Paul Nijbakker & Anu Pruikkonen
eLearning Centre

2. eLearning promises
• Increased accessability of education (any time,
anywhere)
• Increased efficiency (cost-effective)
• Increased motivation
• Resource sharing & reusable content
• Collaborative learning &
• Autonomous learning
• Increased internationalisation
Paul Nijbakker

3. Problems, technology
• Speed of developments causes incompatibilities in
software and hardware.
• Lack of access to PCs and Internet connections (local
learning centres)
• Costs involved create gap between have nets and
have nots (The digital divide)
Paul Nijbakker

4. Problems, human resources I
• Lack of organisational vision and strategy
(traditionalism and unco-ordinated approach)
• Lack of training and support for staff
• Lack of organisational structure and cohesion
• Lacking personnel resources
Paul Nijbakker

5. Problems, human resources II
• Traditionalism and obstruction by teachers
• Lack of Web-pedagogical knowledge
• Lack of computer skills
• Lack of time and funds for training
• Ditto for content production and development
Paul Nijbakker

6. Problems, human resources
III
• Lacking user acceptance (unfamiliarity with new
learning paradigm may lead to demotivation,
alienation and ...)
• Fraud (copy and paste)
• Lacking computer and information handling skills
Paul Nijbakker

7. Problems, materials
• Compatibility issues (HTML rules!)
• Copyright issues
Paul Nijbakker

8. Why?
• Why should you want to go through the trouble of
investing precious time and money in an eLearning
environment?
Paul Nijbakker

9. Rationale 1
• We are not alone in the universe…
– Finland is competing with the world at large
– The government wishes to remain ahead in order
to ensure continuing economic growth
– The new economy needs workers who can study
and work remotely
– Education standards are being internationalised
on-line (ECTS, Dialang)
Paul Nijbakker

10. Rationale 2
• We have limited resources…
– eLearning can increase flexibility in schedules
– eLearning can allow us to reserve class time for
the most important activities
– eLearning can increase learning opportunities for
otherwise disadvantaged pupils (sick,
handicapped, remote learners, parents with small
children)
Paul Nijbakker

11. Rationale 3
• We are to teach our pupils the skills they need in the
information society:
– Information retrieval and handling
– Self-directed independent work
– Collaboration via electronic channels
– Time management
– International outlook
(These are among the promises of eLearning)
Paul Nijbakker

12. Thank you for attending!
The eLearning Centre of
Kemi-Tornio University of Applied
Sciences is at your service.