Activity+One

The challenges faced by faculty involved with e-learning are different depending on whether or not the faculty member has chosen to teach an online class or if it were assigned to them. The first challenge to be encountered is that by the very nature of e-learning the instructor is moved from center stage and the classroom becomes centered on the learner. An instructor with decades of traditional classroom teaching experience may find this to necessitate a major paradigm shift in approaching teaching and learning. The experience and knowledge content of the instructor is now called upon in the role of facilitator rather than disseminator.

Another challenge is the lack of immediate feedback from body language on the part of the learner. An instructor takes clues from the student audience as to whether the information is coming across or not. Those clues now have to be solicited. Some ways of soliciting that feedback can be facilitated through discussion forums where instructors ask open-ended leading questions, or making themselves available for free form discussions in a chat room. The online discussion differs from “real-time” classroom discussion in that it is asynchronous and will require instructors to interact within the forum at different times. This in itself requires a change of thinking in regards to “when class is held.” A benefit of asynchronous discussions is that it affords an opportunity to research and clarify one’s response to a post or question before making the response. A side benefit of this is that the learners who may be reluctant to speak in class feel “safer” to ask questions or express opinions on a discussion board.

The major challenge is not necessarily with e-learning, but with the learner centered concept. We are in the midst of a major “andragogical” shift in the way that we approach adult learners. Online lends itself more naturally by its very nature to learner centered, or at least, learner instigated learning. Some traditional educators fear online learning will replace them. There will always be a need for experienced educators that are willing to embrace change and value knowledge. Where the challenge will be insurmountable is when the method of delivery is valued over the desire to see learners excel and become all they can.