Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ The role of e-learning in the future of education

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

This short article lists seven 'advantages of online learning'. What's interesting about this list is that for each advantage there is a set of critics ready to say online learning doesn't offer the advantage. Here they are:

  • offers great flexibility and pace
  • automates of mundane tasks
  • makes it easier for the student to grasp difficult concepts
  • levels the playing field and gives each learner an equal opportunity
  • eliminates geographical barriers
  • easier for working professionals
  • educes the cost of education

Now I think all of these are genuine advantages. But there's always someone who says, "no no no, it doesn't save money, it doesn't promote equity, etc." But if you look at the arguments, you find it's institutional factors, cherry-picked data, or simply the overlooking of costs and inequities (for example) in traditional education. Via Helge Sherlund.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: Dec 23, 2024 12:54 a.m.

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