Di’s E-learning Experience

Over the weekend I have been researching articles on Learner Readiness and barriers that effect a learners uptake of new technology, ideas and expectations.  Some of the issues that the authors identify are: 

•  negative attitude towards computers,
• cost and inadequate technology
• lack of technical skills
• poorly designed programmes
• previous negative learning experience
• need for some face to face teaching
• need for on the spot feed back
• computer anxiety

And the list goes on!!!   Quite an long list I thought, but surely I can overcome these issues and move on with my e-learning.  I sat down at my computer and began to put my thoughts down on-line.  Well, it became quite a chore, I couldn’t access a number of the sites, my wireless signal kept dropping out and I would lose what I had written. Then when I finally managed to finish off a post for my blog page I couldn’t get the file to download!!!

I was on my own, who could give me some feedback on what I was doing wrong??? Should I kick the machine????  I am sure many e-learners can relate to this story. However the story does have a good ending. I packed up my folders and went to the internet cafe down the road, and started all over again, finally managing to make it all work. 

This experience did bring home to me the importance of recognising the different barriers  and frustrations that learners face with e-learning. I think that for successful e-learning to take place it is important support learners through these frustrations so they can move on to the rewarding world of on-line learning.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS