The effect of e-learning on teaching/learning in secondary school system
Introduction
This literature review is to establish the effects of e-learning on teaching/learning in secondary schools. For this review three articles were read and analyze in an effort to come up with the theme that all three were centered on. This process of reviewing reveals that the major impact of e-learning was on students’ performance.
Theme: Impact of e-learning on students performance
The article “Managing e-Learning: What are the Real Implications for Schools?” written by
Helen Boulton had much to say about the impact of e-learning on the students performance. According to Ensminger et al (2003) as cited in the article when implementing e-learning in a school for the first time there are some things that one should be mindful of. This includes the impact that the new technology will have on the students. Will they be able work independently upon first contact with material or the process or will they need frequent attention? Well it was that found that the successful implementation of new technology depends on well-managed change, efficiency and performance improvements, recognition or reward for taking part, and having sufficient resources to make the change. This should include careful preparation and training for all those involved.
Similarly studies from the article “Student engagement in e-learning and the impact on their grades” show that eLearning can help increase student engagement, motivation, and attendance which is a key requisites for learning. Effective eLearning can also improve performance on core subjects and foster the development of 21st century skills, whether in mature or emerging countries. This article has also look on the impact and the difference e- learning has on both male and females. This would be consistent with the findings of Garland and Martin (2003) who uses the Klob (2000) learning style inventory to examine gender based variations in e-leaning styles and e-learning engagement. It found clearly that males learnt better than female when they were introduced to the e-learning process.
The final article that was analyzed was “Implementing eLearning Programmes for Higher Education”. Knight (1996) proposes that eLearning will benefit students who are used to being ‘spoon fed’ on the basis that students can no longer be passive about their learning. Students will get the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning. What they gain from the learning process depends greatly on the amount of effort they put out. They will also need guidance from person with expertise in the area to ensure that they master a specific content.
Conclusion
The use of the E-learning program in education indicated that the students become more independent learners and that is what we need in our school system. However, the major concern with these studies is the method that was used to collect the data. The findings that were revealed were pretty interest but they didn’t adequately provide effect of e-learning in schools since the time period for the researches was insufficient.
Reference
Ensminger, D C, Surry, D W, Porter, B E, and Wright, D, (2004) “Factors Contributing to the Successful Implementation of Technology Innovations”. Educational Technology & Society, Vol 7, No 3, 61-72.
Garland, D., & Martin, B.N. (2005). Do gender and learning style play a role in how online courses should be designed? Journal of Online Interactive Learning, 4, 67-81
Klob, D.A. (2000). Facilitator’s Guide to Learning. Boston: Hay/McBer Training Resources Group.
Knight, P. (Ed). (1996). Assessment for learning in higher education. London: Kogan Page, SEDA Series. Learning Peaks. (2001). Asynchronous online learning instructor competencies. Retrieved November 6th, 2003 from www.insighted.com/instrcomp.html
