"A study released today by the Entertainment Software Association
finds that seventy percent of major employers in the U.S. utilize some
form of gaming technology in their training programs. From simple
quizzes to complex tool manipulation, more and more employers are
integrating interactive entertainment into their education regiment,
with 78% of organizations not currently employing such methods stating
they plan to offer it within the next five years..."
"A growing body of research shows electronic communications channels
like instant messaging have created a kind of semi-speech - language
that is between talking and writing. Some say it is evidence of
evolution, not of decay.....
Contrary to the view that abbreviations and cute emoticons
are at the radical edge of English language, the researchers found that
the hybrid of written and spoken language is actually more conservative
than speech alone."
Every chapter in the widely distributed first edition has been updated, and four new chapters on current issues such as connectivism and social software innovations have been added. Essays by practitioners and scholars active in the complex, diverse, and rapidly evolving field of distance education blend scholarship and research; practical attention to the details of teaching and learning; and mindful attention to the economics of the business of education.
Was surfing through my rss feeds and found this scholarly paper on the state of e-Learning in higher education. While the focus of this blog is corporate learning management, e-Learning and performance management, I thought I would post it for those who are in this arena and sometimes check out our blog.......
Evelyn Kigozi Kahiigi, Love Ekenberg, and Mats Danielson of the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, Kista, Sweden; Henrik Hansson of the Institute of International Education, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden; and , F.F Tusubira of the Directorate for ICT Support, Makerere University, Sweden.
Abstract:
"e-Learning implementation is an area
in progress that continues to evolve with time and further research.
Researchers in the field argue that e-learning is still in its infancy,
resulting into numerous implementation strategies across a wide
e-learning spectrum. It is particularly interesting to note that even
in supposedly mature contexts, such as university education, there are
wide discrepancies. While some universities have achieved considerable
benefit in the adoption of e-learning (Meredith and Newton 2003),
others are still struggling to realize the attainment of the minimal
educational value (Marshall and Mitchell 2002). This is the case
despite the skilled and interested personnel as well as increasing
number of students in many cases forcing universities to embrace this
education venture.
In this paper we explore the e-learning state of art.
We provide a general overview of the learning process, evaluating some
current implementation trends from which we point out a range of
frameworks and strategies used in the past decade. We further look at
the changes created by the adoption of e-learning within the higher
education process. This is followed by an identification of emerging
issues from which two problems are identified; 1) the limited uptake of
technology as an instruction delivery method; and 2) the ineffective
use of technology to support learning. In respect to this, future
research should therefore seek to further investigate these aspects and
to explore suitable approaches for effective implementation of
e-learning to support learning. Not the least in higher education
contexts."
The Wall Street Journal reported that One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project is now partnering with Microsoft and their computers will now use the Windows Operating System. As of October, the machines will have a "dual-boot" that can run both Windows and its current operating system, Linux.
"Mr. Negroponte says OLPC's nonproprietary software hindered sales, with some countries reluctant to commit to a non-standard machine that didn't run on Windows."
Laptop Program for Kids in Poor Countries Teams Up With Microsoft's Windows by Steve Stecklow, May 16, 2008, Wall Street Journal
by Rengasamy Elango, Vijaya Kumar Gudep, and M. Selvam Majan University College, Sultanate of Oman Skyline College, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Alagappa University, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract:
e-Learning, of late, has been witnessing an unprecedented expansion as an opportunity for higher education. This expanding alternative mode calls for ensuring and imparting a sound and qualitative education. The present study made an attempt to investigate the issues related to the quality dimensions of e-learning. Our results revealed the presence of both strengths and weaknesses in the e-learning system. It is interesting to note, that the e-learners have expressed diverse opinions with regard to administrative issues, instruction materials, instructors’ support, viper sessions (VIPER, Voice Internet Protocol Extended Reach is a software which helps interactive learning through the Internet) , grading and assessment. The findings of the study further demonstrate that if the concept of e-learning is imparted with a better approach and perspective, the reach will be phenomenal. This study reiterates the relevance of imparting qualitative education through e- learning.
I found this study by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework that looks at the status of e-learning in small business in Australia and highlights the hurdles they face using and implementing an e-learning solution.
Some of the barriers mentioned were time and cost, technology limitations, workload pressures, lack of an
e-learning ‘champion’ and the widespread preference for informal,
hands-on, experiential learning.
Sounds like the same problems we have over here on this side of the pond, but thought you might like to check it out.
