Advantages and Disadvantages of using E-Learning in the NGO Tarining Program
Our class for E-Learning Design is working for DoCS this semester to provide some suggestions on how they can use e-learning technologies in their NGO Training Program. In this week’s lecture, we had some of the people form DoCS come in and explain the context of the learning, some issues and problems with implementing e-learning as well as general information about what DoCS does and how the NGO Training program works.
After the lecture, I was thinking about the context for e-learning and came up withthe following thoughts on the context, benefits and issues of using e-learning technologies, which are tabled below:
|
Issues/Features of NGO training Program in General |
Positives of introducing any E-Learning Initiative |
Negatives of introducing any type of E-Learning Initiative |
| There are only 8 full time staff looking after the NGO Training Program. A lot of the actual training, etc, is done by contract trainers. | The NGO’s involved in the NGO training program are located all over the state, in both metropolitan and regional areas. E-Learning is easier than moving people all over the state. | All NGO’s are provided with at least ONE computer. Many only receive the one computer. Therefore, computer access is an issue. |
| Most people working in the NGO’s do not have proper training and are paid less than their equivalents in government supported positions. Therefore, the NGO training program is of great importance to ensure that the NGOs’ skill bases are strong. The problem with this is that people often get the experience of working in an NGO, along with the training provided by DoCS, and then move to government positions to get more money, meaning that a new person needs to be hired and trained again. | The NGO’s and their employees want to complete their training while they work, because any time they take off from working is time they have to make up later. This can be addressed by e-learning. | Levels of computer literacy are an issue and cannot be constrained geographically. Assuming people know how to access email, turn on/off computers, etc, would be a mistake. But, in the same light, some people have basic computer skills. There is a range of skill levels. |
| The learners are split mainly into two groups; a large group of mid-late 40 year olds with lots of experience who are about to retire; and a smaller group who are younger but have no training and little experience. | Education and training is highly regarded, yet has a low prioritisation because of the repercussions of having time off. NGO’s do not have back-up workers who are able to cover employees going to training. | Attitude to computers are also an issue. A hands-on, people oriented culture is prevalent and a reaction to e-learning solutions may be ‘Why would I stay in here, sitting on a computer, when I need to be out there, helping people?’ |
| Employees will assess the training in terms of the benefits (or not) that they receive (eg: backlog of work) | Each NGO will usually share an email address. Individuals do not generally have their own email. | |
| Regional areas do not have broadband, even some metropolitan areas do not have broadband access. Therefore, downloading large amounts of data may be problematic in some areas. |
This is more difficult than I thought it would be…
For E-Learning Design, we were given homework to find out where our local neighbourhood centre is. I have no idea where mine is. I’d never even heard of them existing, or what they look like. I think the closest I’ve ever come to one is scout halls. But they’re not really the same thing, right?
So, because I’m in both Baulkham Hills and Parramatta councils, I’m not really sure where I should be looking. So I searched the net and found something in Toongabbie, Wentworthville, Dundas and Harris Park … none of which are in my ‘neighbourhood’. I looked in the DoCS website for a list of neighbourhood centres, but couldnt find anything.
I think I’ll look later, when I think of some other way of searching for info.
