From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
Jessica's Page
Annotated Bibliography
E-Learning and Higher Education
Barraket,J. 2004. E-learning and and access – Getting behind the hype. In Researching Widening Access to Lifelong Learning, ed. M. Osborne, J. Gallacher and B. Crossan., 91-102. Oxfordshire: RoutledgeFalmer. ISBN 0-415-32236-7
- This chapter explores post industrial societies and how technological changes have resulted in varied university operating systems. This chapter is relevant to e-learning in the aspect that universities are now engaging and promoting lifelong learning discourses through means of online education. The chapter poses the question that while the increasing areas of ICT technologies are available within the university sector the question of access arises. The chapter comments that educational access for equity groups in society are already somewhat limited and suggests that access to online education is adding to the division. This chapter provides detailed research on the groups in society which are advantaged or disadvantaged and the factors contributing to these. The chapter brings to light the high cost of ICT technologies and its infrastructure concluding equity groups are disadvantaged because they cannot afford the costs. The chapter also raises the question of the importance of e-learning and how it will be essential to contribute to the flexible labour participation of the information age by enhancing technological literacy and other skills. The chapter concludes that in the information age information literacy is essential within and out of formal education. The chapter also highlights the beneficial aspects of e-learning as it supports student’s education through online facilities due to physical or geographical impediments.
Chuvala, B. 2002. E-learning race: Colleges scramble to keep up with online programs. Fairfield County Business Journal, 41 (46): 23.
- This journal article introduces the concept of e-learning as fast paced and in terms of a race for tertiary institutions to be able to keep up with the constantly growing technologies. The journal is particularly informative as it defines e-learning in two ways: web enhanced learning – the use of the internet for certain aspects of a course such as online lecture notes, and online education- a course completed entirely online. This source is therefore informative on a broader definition of e-learning which incorporates more everyday aspects of university education. The article concludes that as technology literate students enter tertiary facilities that they demand the use of e-learning in terms of online learning facilities with up to date technologies. The article is also insightful as it outlines the costs of e-learning to universities, such as costs associated with technology and faculty development costs.
Coldwell, J. Wells, J. 2003. Students’ perspective of online learning. In Quality Education at a Distance, ed. G. Davies and E. Stacey., 101-108. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 1-4020-7568-5
- This chapter provides a concise summary of a survey conducted on student perspectives on online learning from Deakin University in Western Australia. This chapter is particularly relevant to tertiary education online as this case study represents practical advantages and problems of completing a web based course. The chapter focuses on various areas such as the opinion of students on course content, usability of technology and their views of the overall quality of the course. This chapter discusses the practical benefits and problems associated with completing a course online, which highlights areas where the quality and usability of e-learning could be improved. The text concludes that many of the problems associated with e-learning are due to navigating unfamiliar web based software and the frustrations that occur. Although this source provides interesting insights, it states its fault of the accuracy of the survey results with the student’s bias against e-learning due to initial problems encountered using the software involved. This represents the need for literacy and other skills associated with learning online. The chapter explores the possibilities of online learning with an e-course based in Western Australia, having participants from all over the country and world in places such as Sydney, Singapore and Hong Kong. The author’s of this chapter, both lecturers from Deakin University are highly credible sources and emphasise the success of e-learning is highly dependable on the need to be literate with web based software.
Cole, S. 2002. E-Learning. Indiana Business Magazine, 46 (2): 25.
- This American business magazine article on e-learning provides an interesting insight into the effectiveness of online education in tertiary institution. Firstly, the article states that with limited time in a fast paced society adults have little time besides work and personal responsibilities to find the time to learn; whereby e-learning fits into an adult’s already hectic schedule. Secondly, the article talks about the increase in technology used for online learning, such as video streaming and various other technologies which increases the quality of the learning environment. The article continues to state that the numbers of students engaging in online education is increasing, and the participation levels of these students is also rising, concluding this factor is due to the anonymity of online discussions and forums. The article is useful as it determines the flexibility of e-learning in tertiary education it proposes the possibility of students studying anywhere at anytime.
Dowling, C. 2003. Preserving the ‘human quality’ in education at a distance. In Quality Education at a Distance, ed. G. Davies and E. Stacey., 265-272. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 1-4020-7568-5
- This book chapter provides an interesting examination of the extent to which interactions within electronically mediated learning environments can be regarded as equivalent in quality to the various types of social engagement which occur within the classroom setting. The chapter highlights the importance of interaction between students, and students and teachers by promoting participation, negotiation and collaboration techniques. The author concludes these techniques are critical in online contexts for learners to construct consensual meaning through communication methods. The article continues to suggest that the online learning environment can be considered to be more personal that some face to face learning techniques such as the mass lecture. The conclusions this texts presents are essential when considering e-learning, as the levels of social interactivity are often criticised as not being comparable to traditional methods of teaching. This chapter raises interesting points about online education being highly interactive and communicative with evidence of effective e-learning teaching methods such as mandatory discussions, forums and other forms of social interactivity engaged online.
Lau, R. 2000. Issues and outlook of e-Learning, South Dakota Business Review, 59 (2): 1-4
- This journal article provides a comprehensive overview of e-learning, and the many aspects involved. The article contains a detailed account of the history of e-learning, tracking its development from the 1970’s to the methods commonly used today. The text highlights the advantages and limitations associated with e-learning in an equal manner allowing for a neutral, fact based article. The journal comments on the continual development of technology, which has evolved to make electronic instruction an effective teaching method through the use of programs such as WebCT. This text is particularly relevant to E-learning as it provides an objective overall view of e-learning and suggests both its advantages, and limitations. The article provides up to date information on the technologies essential to e-learning and the importance of an effective communication structure in this teaching process. Despite the comparison of the advantages and limitations to e-learning the article suggests tertiary education in this format is inevitable, as it recognises the huge learning potential of a collaborative and networked educational format. Due to this inevitability, the article comments it is therefore important to develop quality education with up to date technologies. This academic journal article uses highly accurate information validated with industry professional’s views, making it a credible source of information.
Maurer, H. 2003. Necessary aspects of quality in eLearning systems. In Quality Education at a Distance, ed. G. Davies and E. Stacey., 29-37. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 1-4020-7568-5
- This chapter poses the question of a quality e-learning system and what tools make e-learning most effective. The text further explores the powerful collaborative elements of e-learning which enable high quality, effective online education. The chapter suggests for e-learning techniques to be successful the course material should provide individualised teaching at the right level of knowledge and cognitive skill to enable the material to be adapted to the individual user. The chapter also recognises the importance of a sophisticated environment suitable for tutors, teachers and students alike. The academic author discusses the impact of technology on e-learning systems especially the technologies which allow for communication to take place. He concludes that for a quality e-learning system, communication needs to be exploited to the fullest through the means of discussion forums, chats, shared work spaces, and digital libraries. The author concludes that communication is essential to overcome cultural connotations leading to the misinterpretation of information and the breakdown of isolation. This complete source is inclusive of all aspects which contribute to a quality e-learning environment and effectively evaluates successful e-learning techniques.
Tastle, W. White, B. Shackleton, P. 2005. E-Learning in Higher Education: The Challenge, Effort, and Return on Investment. International Journal on ELearning, 4 (2): 241-251
- This article is from an e-learning industry based source and is therefore highly relevant to all aspects of e-learning. This journal article is particularly relevant as it encompasses a study conducted of educators and practitioners of e-learning in the creation and implementation of online courses throughout America and Australia. This study demonstrates real world results from the creation of an e-learning course, detailing what makes for a better quality course, the technologies used to assist the creation and use of online instruction, also the perceptions of the people who teach and see the result of e-learning. The study results represented the mixed levels of satisfaction towards online instruction shared by individual educators. This academic journal is focused on e-learning and the article gives a broad overview of the system with advantages and disadvantages. The survey results are comprehensive in all aspects of e-learning inclusive of: student interaction, personal faculty experiences, e-course satisfaction and various other considerations. This article is a highly relevant source with extensive information from an industry specific journal which evaluates the practical e-learning courses currently available. This resource is unique as it takes practical experiences and tips on what makes an effective e-learning course, and establishes the extent of how popular e-learning is becoming in tertiary education. The conclusion recommending that e-learning is comparable to classroom education provides and interesting insight into a debatable issue of e-learning.
Jessica Strudwick 13:19, 11 Aug 2005 (EST)
