1. eLearning: opportunities and challenges
Dr Keshav Dahal
University of Bradford

2. Predictions
“Universities won't survive. The future is outside the traditional classroom ………. Thirty years from now big university campuses will be relics” Peter Drucker, Management guru
“Information technology will bring mass customization to learning…people anywhere will be able to take the best courses taught by the greatest teachers…” Bill Gates
“By 2020, eLearning will be the main stream and classroom teaching will be supporting part.” International conference on eLearning for Knowledge-Based Society, 2008

3. Distance learning: History
Formal distance learning began in the 1890s with correspondence courses…
Distance learners:
Thomas Edison
Abe Lincoln
Henry Ford
Early media:
Correspondence, Telephone, Audiotext, Fax, Cassettes, Film, AV, Radio, TV
Open Universities
New ICT media
Moving from distance learning to eLearning

4. eLearning: Definitions
The use of Internet and communications technology to deliver and support learning by students both at a distance and on campus
An alternative for face-to-face learning
Full eLearning adaptation: % learning takes place through Internet/Online
Hybrid/Blended learning: 30-79% through internet/online
eLearning uses a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) or Learning management system (LMS)

5. Towards eLearning: Drivers
New learning infrastructures: intranet & Internet
The new technology means continuous learning anywhere, anytime is now a reality.
“Time to knowledge”
Distributed workforce
Cost and competitive pressures
Need to integrate learning into work processes
Arrival of “Nintendo Generation” into workforce

6. eLearning - opportunities
Access: Making training more available to learners.
Cost: Reducing training costs.
Content: Greater supply, variety, and higher quality content
Relevance: Specific to people’s work. Courses to smaller learning “chunks”
Speed: Responding to constant change and rapid product innovations.
Efficiency: More dynamic learning and improved interactivity while learning training and booking instructors.
Empowerment: Putting the responsibility for learning in the hands of learners. Greater use of learning communities
Convenience: Letting time-pressured students learn at the best time and place.

7. eLearning system: Architecture

8. Obstacles in eLearning
Human
Organizational
Cultural Resistance
Instructional
Technological
Bandwidth
Interactivity
Technology support
Development costs

9. Obstacles in eLearning
Old paradigms in new eLearning bottles:
One to many teaching may not work – different communication/social/cultural changes
new learning models
Some eLearning tools designed with traditional teaching concept
BlackBoard uses concepts of chalk-&-talk method
Boldington Common uses analogy of university buildings to move in virtual space

10. Finally .... Some facts
Sloan Consortium – international organisation for promoting eLearning
USA:
Many virtual universities (Phoenix largest; Capella Uni in NASDAQ)
20% students took at least one eLearning course in 2008
90% consider for eLearning option (due to economic down turn)
Europe:
FP project calls (eLearning framework and open contents)
ICT Digital libraries and technology-enhanced (12 projects funded)
ICT Secure, dependable and trusted infrastructures
eLearning Programme ( ) (25 projects + 16 reserve)
EU countries:
UK JISC calls, HEFCE calls, eUniversity (UKeU) - £62 million pounds + private finance ???
Spain - Open university of Catalonia
France, Italy, Hungary ???
Asia:
Virtual universities in Malaysia, Thailand ....
ASIAN universities – big investments and collaborations
Nepal – open university bill ?
Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan ??