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Technology and learning

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Online Learning

Online learning is becoming a more popular way of learning.  LearnDirect, which provides many online courses in the UK, say that they have had over two million learners since October 2000.  The DfES is keen to encourage more online learning as part of its drive to increase the role of digital and interactive technologies in learning.

The Learners' Forum did some research in Hull into attitudes to learning and technology, and asked people about their views of learning online.  The research was carried out between June 2003 and March 2004.

The most striking finding was the lack of experience people had of learning online.  Only six out of 103 respondents had any experience of it.  Therefore most of their comments relate to their perceptions, rather than their experience.  However, their views are still important, as it is these perceptions that will influence decisions on whether to enrol on an online course.

Many people were unclear about what an online course was, with some assuming that the only thing that you'd learn was related to using the Internet, rather than grasping the concept of the Internet/pc as the medium.  Once people understood that there were various subjects available, there were diverse opinions about what could be learnt in this way- for example some suggested that only basic level learning would be able to done in this way.  Overall, it was clear that people were unclear about what was available to them!

Once people understood the concept, most gave reasons why they would prefer a conventional course to one delivered online. There were several main issues:

• People saw tutors as a critical part of the learning experience, and did not like the idea of learning without a tutor.
• People were concerned about whether they could get the support they needed to do the course. Some suggested that help via email was not as good as seeing a tutor.
• Some thought that online learning would be too inflexible, unlike a conventional course where the tutor can adapt the course to people's needs.
• Online learning was seen as a solitary experience and some preferred the idea of learning as part of a group, saying that having others there would help them learn.
• Some felt that they wouldn't be able to motivate themselves to do the course without a class to go to, a tutor to talk to or other people to encourage them.
• Some said that there would be too many distractions for them to get the learning done outside a classroom, especially if learning online in the home.

A minority, however, did like the idea of learning online.  Some had had bad experiences of learning in the past, and saw online learning as a way of avoiding the possibility of similar experiences.  Others appreciated the flexibility that learning online offered them in the midst of busy schedules. Some also felt that a 'blended' approach, mixing online learning with other forms of learning, would be good for them.

It is perhaps not surprising that people had mostly negative reactions to the idea of online learning, as individuals often take time to get used to and adopt new technologies or ideas. The issues raised by people need to be take into consideration by providers of online learning so that their courses meet people's needs, and their publicity is clear about what online courses are, and the advantages they offer.