Jess’ E-Learning Blog

Yesterday, I took the session plan for this program, separated all the activities and learning bits, and then put it all back together in groups according to the content of the activity and if it was linked or dependant on anything else. This is my way of getting my head around what the program is actually about. While doing this, I had a few thoughts which I decided to scribble down before I forgot them

The first thing I noticed was that there was a LOT of information being thrown at the learners in the two days that the program runs. It is very intensive and I wonder how much of it is remembered or used when the learners go back to work. Also, I wonder if there are any follow-up sessions or even surveys or quizzes a month or six weeks after the program to see how much is remembered. In terms of e-learning, I don’t think that it would be wise to teach this much in a period of two days, especially with learners who aren’t familiar with computers, let alone the Internet. They will become overwhelmed with the technology and this will affect how much of the content they actually learn.

In addition to spreading out the content over a larger period, like a week or two, I think that they should also hold courses to teach people the basics in computers. In addition to aiding them in the e-learning components of NGO Training Program courses, it may also facilitate a trust and reliance on computers which may result in actions such as no longer keeping a hard and soft copy of everything.

Another thought I’ve had is to suggest that DoCS personnel keep up with Internet, and particularly E-learning, technologies. This is for two reasons: firstly, the solutions we give will not be perfect, complete solutions and they should keep an eye out for anything which they can add to their programs. Secondly, I would advise them not to use the same technology we we recommend in ten years time, because it will be completely outdated and there will likely be something out there better suited to them.

Lastly, I just had this thought while writing this post. I don’t think that DoCS will like how much I’m going to move the program around. For instance, in one category, I have activities from the first and second day of instruction. They all cover the same topic area, but were previously separated into different parts of the program. I think that the way they organised it was okay, but there are bits and pieces which I think are better off being organised together which weren’t and other bits which should follow on from bits but didn’t.