The second instalment of this blog's look at the themes of H800 addresses some of the points looked at in week 2 namely that covered by looking at some cases studies of the implementation of distance learning in Nepal and Bhutan with a view to improving levels of higher education there and also the use of radio in Canada and South Africa to deliver distance learning.
Hypothesis
Effective distance education can be implemented even when the technology itself is limited (by today's western standards).
Learning technology can deliver great benefits but the learning culture is as big if not a greater factor and if that is ignored or not considered the endeavour will fail.
Discussion.
Radio, the example used in two case studies in week 2, has effectively delivered learning since the early 20th century but only when the infrastructure is far reaching (national and even international), learner equipment is affordable and efforts are co-ordinated and funded to provide a broad-ranged multi-channel strategy. Radio alone will not deliver broad education or performance benefits. These lessons are obviously applicaable to more modern learning technologies such as podcasts and virtual learning environments.
Nepal and Bhutan have cultures where the teacher is revered and so learner centred approaches meet with limited success and, as with other cultures with a similar outlook, excellent students can struggle when they are in a more self-determining environment be that a western university or an innovating commercial organisation.
Conclusions
If you are going to use distributed learning, ensure the technology works and is readily available to the learners. Ensure that you do not rely on one method of delivery; just as the primary teacher users talk, play and activity to teach so should the learning organisation use formal instruction, collaboration and reflection mediated through a number of channels.
In most circumstances, implementing new technology is a lot simpler than changing the learning culture but unless the two are at least aligned if not in harmony the net result will not be satisfactory. Sometimes it pays to forget the technology and focus on the people and their preconceptions and needs.