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Post by WEA Learn Online Admin on Jun 26, 2014 19:20:30 GMT
By 2015, South Korea aims to provide and deliver all of its curriculum materials in a digital format rather than through the current traditional method of paper textbooks. This would mean that all students would need to have computers and everything would be delivered on-line. The Minister of Education for South Korea, Ju-Ho Lee, argues “Smart Education will change how we perceive textbooks”. However, implementing this would likely be a complex and costly issue, even for South Korea who are famously advanced in broadband/wireless connectivity. The intention is to equip all schools and colleges with wireless networks so that students can learn wherever they are and will involve not just PCs and laptops but also tablets and interactive TVs. There are obvious advantages as Mr Lee states “The transfer from the traditional paper textbooks to digital textbooks will allow students to leave behind their heavy backpacks and explore the world beyond the classroom.” With the advancement of Kindles, e-books and the huge upsurge in on-line learning, is South Korea’s example a viable option for us to follow? Surely by putting our resources online we would save a huge amount of money currently spent on photocopying and printing. Would online resources also allow for greater engagement and interaction by the students and tutors both inside and out of the traditional classroom?  |
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adamwea
New Member
I have forgotten about the World Cup...is it still going?
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Post by adamwea on Jun 26, 2014 20:07:16 GMT
When i taught in Sixth Form I was continually greeted with the same homework excuses that my dog ate it, i have lost it etc...so i decided to make all homework online and students had to post their work on a designated blogsite that I created for that class. That way i could see exactly when they posted it, if it was late, who hadnt done their homework and i could mark it online and post comments back to them about it. The real benefits for the students were that they did peer to peer evaluation, the blog also acted as their own learner diary of all their work they had done so if they needed to provide evidence of work it was all there at a click of a button. The major aspect i found was they took more pride in their work as it was open to view to the rest of the class (only that class and they couldnt edit or change work that wasn't theirs).
I think technology has its place, but we shouldn't be looking to replace the important face to face delivery, it should be there to supplement and support what we already do. We can not expect to force students into using technology if they do not want to, we will only end up alienating them. Having said that, it can be a huge benefit in engaging students and learners who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to access learning (due to rural isolation etc). Evidence of that has been through the ESOL Online project we have developed in the Eastern Region which allows online courses to be delivered via a USB stick without the need of any internet, thus providing educational opportunities in hard to reach areas.
Digital technology definitely has its place in adult education but all providers need to be sympathetic to their learners needs. What might be perfect for one, may not for someone else. Is it not an extension of differentiation and preferred learning styles? Personally speaking, i would always pick an online course above a traditional classroom one, but that is just my preference. I want to study in my own time, on my own and at the speed that works for me.
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