The document discusses challenges in promoting quality eLearning in higher education and how to address them. Key challenges include closing the digital literacy gap between students and teachers, and getting both groups to use technology as an educational tool. Students are part of the "net generation" while teachers need convincing. The document recommends different approaches for students and teachers, such as using ambassadors to promote tools, focusing on communication/collaboration over content, and giving users a online profile. It also provides teacher-specific and student-specific strategies to meet these challenges.

1. Promoting Quality eLearning in Higher Education What are the challenges and how to meet them Johan Jongstra 2007 Johan Jongstra License under Creative Commons

2. The mission of promoting Acceptation of the University’s digital landscape and eLearning environment by the learning communities as an important part of daily educational life

3. Challenge How do we close the gap in digital literacy between students and teachers How do we make the university, the teachers and the student use the same language How do we focus the promotion on this gap

4. Where is this gap about Teachers Learned to live with computers and technology. They have to be convinced about the computer as a tool for their work. Students They belong to the net-generation. Computers, the internet and mobile technology is just another window to their lives.

5. University eLearning, eEnvironment, VLE Software Distribution Content Mentoring Assessment Portfolio Communication Knowledge Management Learning Communities

6. Student My world Social software Weblogs, wiki’s Communities Instant messaging Learning through the net VoIP Gaming My hobbies My calendar My social Life My school(s) My files, my podcasts My publications E-portfolios My profile My conversations My work My media Terry Anderson 2006

7. Teacher My E-mail My Internet My office software Social Software? Online Communities? Blogs, wiki’s Poscasting? Online Discussions? Instant Messaging?

8. Software Distribution Content Mentoring Assessment Portfolio Communication Knowledge Management Learning Communities Virtual Learning Environment Multimedia creation tools Communication tools Data storage Reflection tools Collaboration tools Planning tools Personal Learning Environent

9. How to meet this challenge …in general… Different approaches to students and teachers Use ‘ambassadors’ to promote the fundamentals of the eEnvironment Use ‘key-users’ who are important for disseminating the knowledge Focus on the tools of communication and collaboration, rather then the content tools Start using synchronous communicating tools Give users a face… my profile

10. How to meet this challenge …teacher approach… Point out the necessity: eLearning is part of the curriculum. Build commitment Workshops, conferences about the social software, web 2.0, etc. Develop digital literacy by specialised courses Training in using Instant Messaging as an efficient tool in communicating and coaching students Facilitate teachers in hardware as well as time to use these software Scan for teachers that could take the role of key-users and/or ambassador ; facilitate them, train them Try to build small efficient learning communities between teachers and students

11. How to meet this challenge …student approach… Don’t put too much effort into courses in software… No ‘buttons courses’ Make them aware what the position is of eLearning in their curriculum Communicate clearly about the possibilities… Communicate clearly about what the school is expecting from the students and what they can expect from teachers/tutors Make the tools they use at home worthwhile in their ‘school’ hours Facilitate tools that students can use outside the campus Invest in mobile features

12. Promoting Overall principles Focus on the acceptation and well-being of students/teachers in using the eEnvironment Promoting is part of the implementation project Monitor the use of newly implemented environments, listen to the users and decide for JIT help projects, courses etc. Use best practices from ‘older’ environments Develop an eLearning knowledge centre

13. More Challenges Defining eLearning requirements as part of the chosen educational strategy plans The change management needed to bend ‘traditional’ education into the newer forms Communicating about the mission and strategy at the ‘work floor’ The tension between what people want, requirements and technical issues. The understanding that eLearning is about Communication, Collaboration and Cognition