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Dr Frank Rennie
The Changing Role of Higher Education &
Sustainable Rural Development
Contents
1 Growth of online learning
2 The Drive for distributed access
3 For and Against
4 Current Trends
5 Emergent properties
6 New Learning Communities
7 Contribution to rural sustainability
Is Technology a Solution?
Computers (and virtually every other technology) can actually reduce flexibility
Appropriate technology: tutored video; audio cassettes to talk through problems, photos etc.
THE Journal, Apr. 2001
E-Learning Drivers
Demands to extend student markets
Globalisation and trade liberalisation
Government decisions and policies
Corporate Strategies (and profits)
Local Business and Community demands
Individual convenience
TrendsDistributed access to services inc educationCentralised administration (but distributed)Modularisation & CustomisationEducation on demand (type, time, place)Mode 1 to Mode 2 learning styleGreater online service demands
Dangers
Buried in bureaucracy
Loss of local autonomy
Inappropriate use of ICT
Capital led ( and gadgets !)
Homogenisation v Fragmentation
Amorphous rather than integrated
Extra work for no real gains
Opportunities
Cost rationalisation (may be distributed)Greater and shared resources.Easier and wider access to peers & tutorsDigital agenda = international knowledge economyDemocratic agenda (participation, collaboration, community stewardship etc.)
UHI Overview14 Academic Partners
Single HEI
FE + HE + Research
Area over 400K sq K
Population 500K
9.5 persons Km2
Scattered settlement
Good ICT links
UHI WAN
JANET
Local Learning Centre in the Isle of Benbecula, Western Isles, Scotland
Key Concepts for online learning (amazon.co.uk)
Teaching and Learning Online (2001) ed. J. Stephenson, Kogan Page
www.educause.edu/books/educatingthenetgen/5989
Practitioner created e-book
http://otis.scotcit.ac.uk/onlinebook/
Mode 1>>>>> Mode 21) Homogenous subjects
2) Solitary scholar
3) Open publication
4) Universal themes
5) Objectivity & disinterestedness
6) Blue skies research
7) Life-long vocation
1) Heterogeneous bases2) Multidisciplinary
teams3) Internet and IP rights4) Mission-led, &
problem-solving5) Service of practical
interests6) Contextually defined7) Professional teams
New Demands
Demand for timely, accurate and personalised learning and performance support ‘New’ learners want bite-sized chunks of
learning, not whole courses ‘New’ learners want learning tailored to their
context ‘New’ learners want just-in-tine learning Perishability of knowledge means that there
isn’t time to develop long courses
Formats of delivery
Face to face
Paper-based
Telephone tuition
e-mail support
Video conference links
Web-based resources
net meetings
Experiences with technology
Technical Problems break downs complexity costs
People Problems inexperience fear personal touch
Advantages of mixed format
Distance & Time flexibility
Not dependent on one medium
Consistency of learning resources
Subject and Student sensitive
Resource used in an appropriate context
Gives students extra skills
Gives students more power
Lessons for remote delivery
Needs to be responsive
Needs to be interactive
Needs to be reliable
Needs to be multi-platform
Needs to be consistent
Needs to be networked
Needs to be supported by training
Learning Communities
Creating a sense of community among learners is crucial for:
Trust
Collaborative working
Mutual Support and Reinforcement
Peer Learning
Student Confidence
Current Work
Credit for Transferable Skills
Mode 1 to Mode 2 learning
Problem-solving & contextual learning
New Media
Greater % part-time students
Reduction in admission requirements
Collaborative assessments
The Holistic Approach
Environment
Social
Economic
Social Equity SustainableDevelopment
Rural Sustainability
Reduced travel costs and travel time
Local economic multiplier
Retention/attraction of skilled citizens
New social networks & diversity
New intellectual & economic skills
Higher quality of life perceptions
Reduced environmental impact
Conclusions
A mixed format delivery is best
Optimum mix varies with module/course/ academic level & individual
Local Learning Centres help stability
Needs careful management (Ac + Tech)
Needs staff development (Ac + Tech)
Hi or Lo tech – needs to be professional