Emerging Technology That Supports eLearning -- Blog #10

In her chapter on supporting eLearning, Egbert is very candid about the pros and cons of allowing students to participate in distance learning. Some of the issues involved with eLearning include lack of technical support, lack of access to technology outside of school, the complication involved in participating in team-related activities, and the difficulty teachers have in meeting all students’ needs (Egbert, p. 214). Although all of these challenges make sense, I think that ultimately, the success or failure of eLearning depends on what type of student is participating and how motivated and disciplined he is. In fact, Egbert quotes Blomeyer (2002) when he stated that eLearning is more about people and being able to use technology to support their interactions than it is about the technology itself. Students who participate in eLearning need to be good time managers and need to be able to keep their schoolwork organized. They need to have the attitude that they’ll succeed, and not use the limitations of eLearning as excuses not to try.

For these reasons, I think the blended, or hybrid learning environment is the best of both traditional and eLearning methods (Egbert, p. 209). Students benefit greatly from being in a classroom and being able to physically participate in discussions and group work with other students. Yet, the freedom of online learning and the potential for learning new technologies is extremely valuable to certain students as well. If the hybrid learning environment is unattainable, then a portion of the student’s eLearning should be done via videoconferencing. This would at least allow interaction that is similar to being physically present in a classroom, and help the student to create more of a relationship with both the teacher and his fellow students.

Egbert, J. (2009). Supporting learning with technology: Essentials of classroom practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.