Small Group for FE

[jamesclay]

Thanks for responding and posting.

I have been for the past few years wary of the “lets encourage practitioners” approach as we’ve been doing it for years with little success.

The research about embedding TEL I have seen says that small scale projects work, but never scale or get embedded into mainstream practice (as a result of the project).

Where I do agree with is your statement “Both levels need to find ways of using technology effectively to increase retention and achievement and both are facing financial cuts so need to deliver more cost effectively and technology provides one way to do this.” this is certainly a good way to engage senior managers as it demonstrates how TEL can be used to solve problems or facilitate solutions.

Research from the LSDA back in the 1990s said that one way to increase retention, was to provide detailed information to learners about the structure of their course, show them what they had done, what they were doing and where they were going. Technologies such as the VLE and an e-portfolio can be used to provide that information quickly, efficiently and when a learner wants it.

In terms of But I don’t see why FE participants should feel in any way excluded would we need to change the language?

[jamesclay]

Some more thoughts from my blog.

[KimLesley]

I thought you made a very good point about reluctancy as being seen as something to be overcome.  It’s also true that there are many reasons not to get involved with TEL and so there won’t be a single solution.  Perhaps we should take more time investigating why teachers or students are reluctant to use technology and then address those barriers.  Lack of training and fear of giving up what are seen as tried and tested teaching methods are a couple of reasons.

However, as you say, technology does get taken up in time but not fast enough for those at the front end.  By the time it’s taken up at the rear it’s seen as old and outdated at the front!

 

 

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