Posts made by Nalin Abeysekera

Nellie,

To change attitude there is a need for a good awareness program by putting the merits of on-line vs. face to face. And as I suggested earlier there is a need for good leadership .Because it need long term plan with clear Vision and Mission. If can increase the awareness, attention, interest and desire (AIDA model) I think it is easier to promote e-learning in developing countries…We have to identify the ways and means of promote e-learning among public.….this is the place where we need success stories..!!!!!!!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

About Instructors …they are quite capable people. But some people not used to these type of learning environment.This is quite new to them…I think this is because of the earlier stages. School teachers are good in subject matters but there is a problem with level of skills. As like in m-learning some may think face to face learning is best…it ‘s all about attitude….to change that there is a need of people with skills…

Nellie,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Thanks for raising this question. First at Open University we are having blended type of learning (both face to face and e-Learning).As a University which involving in distance learning we have to take the initiative. We addressed the problems of lack of awareness as well as infrastructure by forming computer centers at our regional centers. Now students who are in remote areas can go to our regional center and access. Still we are in the introductory stage. We are using Moodle as LMS( learning Management System).Every time we are giving instructions to students on how to upload files etc. Because this is quite new experience to them…we want things to be happened….This is under the inspirational leadership of University Vice chancellor as well as staff. Susen lister and Mark (from Canada) always with us to guide and to oversome problems strategically and tactically.

 So far we discussed some barriers in online as well as mobile learning. Now we can focus on success stories as well as the ways to overcome barriers….We can use success stories to overcome barriers, for that we can consider following factors as barriers,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

·        Lack of resources/underutilization of resources

·        Infrastructure problems

·        Problems in awareness level of e-Learning

·        Attitude and perception

·        Leardership

·        Others

E-learning is important for  every one. We should talk about few success stories and some time we can use some of them as benchmarks in the developing courtiers. As I mentioned earlier within given resources it can done with good leadership. But it is necessary to build awareness level among people because still this is new concept to the countries like sri lanka(good market to invest!!!!!).According to the Mark Frazier, ICT<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

    Cluster Strategist of the Sri Lanka Competitiveness Initiative "One feasible niche for Sri Lanka to tap is the e-learning market,Many U.S. universities and corporates as well as international organizations like the World Bank are embarking on huge projects fordistance learning and online instruction."