THE WORLD IS OPEN : CJ Bonk [2009]

1. THE WORLD IS OPEN : CJ Bonk [2009] Chapter 3 : E-Demand Around the Globe Opener # 2 E-Learning and Blended Learning A Synthesis by Jane Nkosi 26 October 2011

2. E-LEARNING AND BLENDED LEARNING • Why Blend? • Learners do not learn in the same way • Combining delivery modes enhances learning • Blended learning opens opportunities for collaboration Check here what Dr. Bonk has to say http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQZ9vMLSCS8

3. E-LEARNING AND BLENDED LEARNING FROM THE CRADLE • Distance between instructor and learner has always been but technology closes the gap. • In Plato’s time it was the invention of writing; • A millennium later Norwegian instructors shipped materials to distance learners; • With more diversification print, radio, telegraph, T.V. & computers came to the fore. • Now the internet & various types of media bring learners and instructors together.

4. DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIVERSITY • A new diverse clientele has emerged requiring an equally diverse provision of instruction. • They need open access & re-skilling to meet new demands. • New resources are changing dynamics in the education landscape. • This the time when “the work done by correspondence will be greater … than that done in the classroom…” (Bonk p92).

5. IS IT A REVOLUTION? • Ivan Illich noted the ineffectiveness of schooling in Deschooling Society &advocated - • a right to learn for everyone; • a new way of thinking about education ; • Education should • be self directed, • allow learning from others • be caring .

6. IS IT A REVOLUTION? Cont… • According to Illich there are 3 purposes of good education; it should : • Offer unlimited resources to learners; • Allow sharing of knowledge and expertise; • Allow free expression of ideas; • In short school should be open & flexible.

7. WHAT DO NEW TECHNOLOGIES OFFER? • Technologies offer access & flexibility; • They connect the students; • They enhance participation among (any time any where); • Learners can have access to guest experts; • They can even engage with experts in video conferencing.

8. WHAT NEW TECHNOLOGIES OFFER? Cont… • Learners can share with many instructors around the world; • many instructors are opening up education & are willing to share knowledge. • Online Learning allows individuality as it is self paced.

9. A COURSE FUNERAL ? This is a real shift in educational thinking • new types of media open the world and empower the learner e.g. You Tube , Facebook, twitter etc. • Integrating new technologies • opens learning • removes confinement of lockstep programs & teacher-dependence • Empower the learner

10. A COURSE FUNERAL ? Cont… • As informal learning is 70 – 80 % of learning the idea of a standard course is dying. • Learning should meet learners’ goals & allow : • just-in time & on-demand curricular; • readily available information & easy access. • learners to download just what they need when they need it • Instructional delivery should appeal to the 21St century learner.

11. NotSchool • In line with Illich’s thinking, Heppell started NotSchool in 2001; • It helps learners who do not fit to the traditional mode of school. • It opens access to individuals who have not done well in regular schooling. • It is a new model of education [learners are ‘researchers’ & teachers ‘mentors’].

12. E-LEARNING IN SCHOOLS • Interest in e-learning is growing in schools. Indiana Ocean • In 2007 Project tomorrow found that: • ½ of high school and 1/3 of middle school children were interested in online courses not offered { they can learn at own pace & follow personal interest} • Interest was not as high among teachers though they noted online learning makes a difference • 42% of parents say this would be a good investment • Indiana University High School is the largest online high school enrols about 4,000 • Other states are following the model

13. LEAPS AND BOUNDS • The world opens in Florida • Florida Virtual School (FLVS), the first K-12 online school boasts of 52000 students from its beginnings of 6000 students • It uses choice technological tools to promote learning • It is a model school to other schools & collaborates with other states to open the world further

14. E-LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION E-learning gains momentum in higher education. • Some institutes use the opportunity to showcase best practices in e-learning e.g. University of Tampere in Finland, York University in Toronto and OUM in Malaysia. • They open more doors through an array of technologies & delivery methods that engage and empower learners. • This allows for flexible work schedules, real time chats, video conferencing et

15. IMPACT OF THE INDIANA MODEL • Students are from diverse backgrounds. • Learners can learn any where e. g. a family took their children on holiday & children did not fall behind school. Online courses provided the answer. (see p101 – 103) • IUHS is now creating programs for adults who never finished high school • Is also partnering with other institutions. • Other countries are emulating this model of education e.g. Nigeria, India, China.

16. MANDARIN IN MICHIGAN • Michigan is embracing technology and connects with trends in the world. • It has passed to make it mandatory for high school students to take at least one course online. • More doors open as students engage in online field trips, blogs and chats. • They can check their progress in electronic portfolios.

17. MANDARIN IN MICHIGAN cont… • Confucius institute supports teaching mandarin to k12 students • It is opening learning to other cultures. • Anyone can learn the language through phone casting; • Mandarin can be taught through interactive online games and in second life

18. MIND EXTENSIONS • Denver has a high growth of technology companies and technologically skilled people • Many help others learn about the emerging technologies. e.g. Jones Knowledge group Ltd. • Jones’ company started from very humble beginnings but succeeded with determination. • Jones was the first to deliver courses into homes via cable TV – opening the world to many.

19. E-LEARNING IN FOR-PROFIT UNIVERSITIES • The growth of e-learning is spilling over; big corporations like IBM, Microsoft & Oracle use blended learning for training. • Higher education institutions like the University of Pretoria use the same. • The trend is catching in adult education • The University of Phoenix has over 100 campuses and 160 learning centres. • It has 330,000 students; 200,000 online • More are dropping in not out e.g. Prof. Bowell (40+) aspires to attain a PhD.

20. DEMOCRATIZING EDUCATION • Jones believes • The classroom is the front room, • Educational opportunities are visible to all; • Our wilderness of information should be seen as our new frontier( p. 123). • We should infuse “our knowledge society “ with electronic tools and information repositories.

21. E- LEARNING IN A PUPLIC UNIVERSITY Online Learning springs to Life   • The University of Illinois at Springfield offers options for online or face to face learning. • It has 16 degree programmes and 4 blended. • Online learners are on average 9 years older than f2f learners; { this is the case also in Florida, New York, Tennessee etc} • Blended courses give options as learners at come from all over the country; • It is a shift in thinking about teaching & learning

22. E-LEARNING IN A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY Learn any where • UIS has global impact – choice of where to learn, what, how, when, with whom. Other institutions around the world offer this kind of access e.g. Finland, U.K. Canada, Taiwan etc. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008_Taipei_IT_Month_Day2_Taipei_County_Mobile_Classroom_digital_blackboard_and_T5.jpg

23. INTERNATIONAL E-LEARNING •  E-learning is cropping up in all the world. • Asia ‘s 7 of largest universities have more that 100,000 students • Ramakhamheng University (RU) has about 600,000 students many learning online. • India’s Indira Gandhi National Open University has 1.8million students. • Demands for blended learning in India is opening new job opportunities for jobs.

24. INTERNATIONAL E-LEARNING Cont… • Noticeable growth is seen in China ; millions are being connected to the internet every year - opening more doors for people to learn • 1950 – 1978 correspondence and normal education • 1978 – 1998 radio and TV based education • 1999 – to date e-learning • In 2006 there were 1.3 million e-learners;

25. E- China • Higher education increased by 40% in 1999 and has been growing since. • Higher education increased from 6.3 million students in 2006 to 17.4 million in 2007 . • China is developing a knowledge society to improve productivity; it wants to grow new talent and develop “World Class universities”(p.133). • Other countries can take a leaf from China on online and blended learning.

26. A BREATH OF NEWNESS • The OUM is providing a breath of freshness – new learners , new programmes, new buildings and new instructors. • OUM has 3000 tutors spread across the globe offers a different model of education by offering opportunities to people who want to learn • OUM’s enrolment is about 76,000 . • MORE GROWTH CAN BE EXPECTED.

27. Free Rice? • Did know you what a grain of rice can do? • FreeRice.com explains how you can learn a language and at the same time feed someone who might not have food. • What is better than open the world further? • FreeRice.com does not only offer entertainment but education and “a way to change the world” (p134).

28. Challenges • Online learning like any other good thing has had its share of criticisms • Online courses have been labelled substandard; not engaging enough – simply boring! Despite these, online learning seems to be the only way to go to change the world and touch many lives.

29. THANK YOU Most of all thank you Professor Bonk for a mind and heart grabbing book!