E-Learning: A Learning Context in Context

• Autores: Brian Hunt, Toni Ivergard
• Localización: International journal of the computer, the internet and management, ISSN 0858-7027, Vol. 13, Nº. 1 (AGO), 2005 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Suplemento 1: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on eLearning for Knowledge-Based Society), págs. 8-8
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In recent years, eLearning has received much publicity, discussion and critique. In this paper we aim to step back from this and review the contexts and purposes of eLearning. In so doing we discuss the roles and goals of education; particularly education to meet the often expressed needs to develop skills for lifelong learning and for active participation in the workplace and society. We take the view that, insofar as learning for these purposes is concerned, eLearning is not the purpose. Rather the focuses should be on context, purpose, and usability. Learning can have a number of goals and ambitions, for example to develop lifelong learning skills and strategies and to realize people’s ambitions in life and work and self-fulfillment. These accord with the goals of formal education – although, at the macro-societal level, these goals may be sidelined in the twin quests of creating ‘good citizens’ and socializing individuals into a society. We begin by setting out the contexts at each of the conventional stages of formalized learning: nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary education. We explore the contexts for learning and, especially eLearning and discuss how learners’ needs change over time. Finally, we discuss how eLearning plays a key role in integrating learning and life and learning for life.