Innovating e-Learning Closing Remarks

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Innovating e-LearningClosing Remarks

• Chris Yapp
• Head of Public Sector Innovation
• Microsoft

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Some thoughts

• These notes were compiled by me as the
  conference proceeded as my reflections on what is
  needed to create a flexible scaleable system of
  learning fit for the 21st century. I hope that
  the slides are reasonably self explanatory. I
  hope that these will stimulate a lively closing
  session

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The show so far

• There is a lot of activity/innovation going on!
• There is a very open community of practitioners
• BUT..
• Have we made 10 years progress in the last 10
  years?
• Should we drop the e?

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Approaching a tipping point?

• Globalisation of economy?
• Availability of ICT capability?
• Increased knowledge of pedagogy human
  brain/learning theories..?
• Economics of life long learning?
• Analogue institutions in a digital world?

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What are we trying to achieve?

• Do what we currently do more cost effectively?
• Do something different for the same learners?
• Widen the access to learning to new learners?
• Reform existing institutions/create new ones?

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A hypothesis?

• Learning always has been and always will be a
  personalised experience
• It is the organisation of education that has been
  impersonal
• The impediment has been economic scaleability
• Technology is making personalisation achievable
  at scale

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Learners?

• What skills/knowledge/attitudes ought we to
  expect a learner to have when they leave school
  for FE/HE or work? ( note not qualifications)
• How can we establish an entitlement to these
  skills?
• How does e-learning impact informal serendipitous
  learning?
• Research at undergraduate level?

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The supply side

• What does a world class FE/HE workforce look like
  in 2020?
• OU innovation in 70s around team built
  curriculum- does e-learning need a similar level
  of innovation?
• Is a model of HE incorporating research and
  teaching and knowledge transfer into a single
  institution optimal for 21st century?

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Design

• Design for or with the learner?
• Co-design, co-construction, co-delivery eg RED at
  Design Council ( Hilary Cottam)

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The teachers

• Teaching as the last craft discipline?
• Individual vs team
• What about librarians/researchers and all the
  learner roles?

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Curriculum

• Subject specialisms
• Joint honours
• What new models are needed?
• By way of example How much of a dance degree
  could be taught by e methods?
• Extent of user choice- if Im paying and want to
  do Zen, German and flute who says I shouldnt be
  allowed to?

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Assessment

• How do we assess creativity? ( should we?)
• What else should we assess and how?
• Does peer review diminish importance of
  interdisciplinary learning?
• Academic/vocational education/training ( is this
  helpful for era of lifelong learning?

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Institutions

• How big or small do they need to be viable in
  global environment?
• Future of Academic Life?
• Ownership of IPR in Knowledge Economy?
• Real/blended and e-learning?

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The Challenge

• You have been given 100m to build a new
  institution. You wish to take the best ideas
  youve learned from the experts on this
  conference.
• Could you describe what youd spend the money on?