Epic Think Tank
Collaboration and e-learning
Afterword
In investigating the benefits, capabilities
and challenges of collaborative online learning, our highly experienced
panel took as a given that it should be considered a complement
rather than a competitor to content.
Exploring the particular dynamics of online
collaboration led us to a sense of how collaboration and content
fit. But we found it hard to be prescriptive about issues such as
the optimum number of learners in a group, or the precise composition
of the blend. Too many factors affect on-the-ground decisions about
individual programmes, including:
- The target market
- The learning need
- The type of learning to be engaged
in
- Scale of the project/organisation
- Business drivers
- Cultural considerations
Clearly, a key issue in making collaborative e-learning work is
learning design. Perhaps more surprising, however, is how prominently
issues such as marketing and the business case featured in our discussion.
There is an increasing emphasis on blended learning in today's
environment. Too often it is assumed that what blended learning
means is plugging 'new learning technologies' into traditional structures
and forms. What emerged from our close examination of collaboration
in e-learning was that the exact opposite is the case. Blended learning
actually involves the far more difficult job of redeploying traditional
elements and methods within a conceptual and technical framework
that has been revolutionised out of all recognition.
Structural and cultural issues will continue to challenge those
tasked with designing collaborative learning programmes as the scale
of e-learning activity increases, but the awareness of collaboration
as a key component of 'the learning mix' can only grow.
John Helmer for Epic, September 2002
Background
Part 1 What works and what doesn't?
Part 2 What best suits collaboration?
Part 3 Collaboration in the blend
Collaboration in e-learning is a white paper, by Donald
Clark, Epic, which discussess the role of collaborative learning
environments such as Platinum. Click
here for a summary.
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