Barriers of e-learning in a high school

E-learning is any type of education where the platform is digitally based and essentially is revolved around computers and the internet (Wikipedia, 2008). In this age of digital technology the capacity to develop education is huge. However there are barriers to this style of education and it is vital that these issues are considered when planning curriculum in high schools. In many cases these issues are seriously limiting the possibilities of e-learning.

The assumption that all secondary students will be digital natives and have access to necessary technologies outside of school cannot be relied on. In 2007 it is reported that only 64% of Australians had home access to the internet (ABS, 2008). There are secondary school students who, due to various factors such as cultural and socio-economic impacts, have not had the life long exposures to digital devices and still do not have out of schools access to these technologies. These students could be seriously disadvantaged in the situation of a curriculum based heavily in the methods of e-learning.

Funding has always been an issue in relation to education (Burke, 2002). There are always compromises in a schools budget to cover everything needed. For effective e-learning environments to be created there is a need for adequate hardware and equipment, appropriate software, extensive professional development and suitable connectivity. All of these amounts to a considerable cost and needs expertise to efficiently build up a beneficial e-learning environment. This is a considerable challenge particularly in small high schools that have limited funding.

Then there is the huge challenge that secondary school digital immigrant educators face. There are teachers in high schools that not only lack the confidence in areas of digital technology but loathe the idea of using these tools. The issue of confidence can be changed with willingness but the personal preference to avoid these changes is a dead end street. Professional development is available but imagination, creativity and openness can be difficult to teach.

Being aware of these barriers is essential in the process of moving forward in a positive direction. Secondary schooling can be a stressful time in a young person’s life- socially and academically. Learning should ignite a fire within a person’s inner being that can never be extinguished. E-learning is a very exciting way to ignite this spark and is important to be mindful of the possibilities and the barriers.

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics,2007, Household Use of Information Technology, Australia, 2006-07, viewed 27/08/08 URL: http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8146.0

Burke G. Funding schools. [online]. Educare News; n.124 p.42-47; April 2002. date viewed 28/08/08, URL: http://search.informit.com.au/fullText;dn=115910;res=AEIPT>

Department of Education and Training, 2008, Information Communication Technologies, NSW Government, date viewed 28/08/08, URL: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/reviews/futuresproject/issuespapers/ict.htm

Wikipedia, 2008, Electronic learning, Wikipedia contributors, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Electronic_learning&oldid=235575757