E-learning standards: Open

enablers of learning or compliance strait

jackets?

Aim of the paper

• To discuss the relationship between e-learning standards activity and learning and teaching in order to balance the perceived focus on technological and economic aspects with a concern for pedagogy and a development of e-learning skills by teachers and students.

Benefits of standards (1)

Standards can be held to be an aspect of professionalism •validating the immense amounts of money being spent on e-learning•Cost control •ability to reuse e-learning resources despite rapid changes in technology•supporting the cataloging and discovery of learning resources

Benefits of standards (2)

• facilitating the transfer of student records and information between systems and institutions

Benefits in the reuse and economics of e-learning• learning products can work across multiple

systems. Teachers don't need to target a specific system or adapt them for different platforms

• ensure that various content works on their systems

• users can use a wider range of content for their system

• standards remove barriers to the development of the e-learning market

Are standards pedagogically neutral? (1)Standards represent a significant investment of resources and are consequently driven by a desire to solve specific problems in particular contexts so there is a danger that if a standard can be applied more generally.•SCORM - meet the needs of new pedagogies such as collaborative learning is being adopted in areas beyond its intended area of application

Are standards pedagogically neutral? (2)Another key problem in e-learning is the discovery and the reuse of pre-existing materials

The problem of learners' needs being ignored in the introduction of new technology has been long recognized

E-learning standards to enable learning• to continue to do on we have done and wait for

better evidence before changing current practice, that is, to develop clear models of success that can be used as exemplars

• standards should be and measurable• standards should be designed in an open manner,

acknowledge educational contexts and students’ needs, encourage flexibility and focus on learning outcomes and access to learning opportunities

Criticism of standards (1)

• There is no, or only a weak, theoretical basis for the standard or guideline

• Lack of empirical support• Emphasis on process and management rather than

people• Emphasis on institutionalization rather than

student outcomes• There is a lack of information about the dynamic

context

Criticism of standards (2)

• The use of standards introduces the risk of encouraging a focus on the success against the standards' measures rather than the outcomes that are directly desired

Conclusion (1)

Standards are needed for the development and growth of e-learning as an effective supporter of learning. They should support the development of e-learning capability across sectors of education.•standards must reflect the diversity of students’ learning capabilities and expected outcomes; •standards must evolve to meet the challenges of new forms of technology, and new types of pedagogy

Conclusion (2)

• standards must be enablers of effective practice rather than constraints or burdens

• standards must reflect an evidence base of effective teaching practice into ways of improving student learning

• standards must enables efficient determination of compliance and an ability to "benchmark" or document that compliance

Conclusion (3)

• standards must support the management of institutions to identify areas in need of development and strategic decisions about e-learning directions for the institution as a whole