The State of Sourcing

Much has been said about m-learning, and the technology fueled future… rich with possibilities for the next generation of student learners. And that we are now entering a phase where we can peek into that future, through emerging technologies. Apple can be termed the big daddy in this race, the mover and shaker who challenges our perceptions of what technology can do for us, with innovations abound, come every MacWorld. In this post, I’d like to talk about where m-learning is heading, using Apple’s latest contribution to the mobile computing world – the iPad.

As early as the January unveiling of the iPad, the e-learning blogosphere has been buzzing with the possibilities that the device presented for learning, both at the corporate and the school/university level. I would say that post the initial excitement, the ground realities really sunk in. Innovative? Yes. Made things interesting? Yes. But recommend as a formal learning tool? Not so sure. Why the hesitation to a device that was designed to really ‘push the boundaries’ according to the maker?

Continue reading ‘iPad: m-learning at its best or worst?’ »

The growth of technology-enabled learning globally has resulted in hundreds of service providers mushrooming in India in the last 10 years. In 2009, the ValueNotes report ‘e-learning Outsourcing: Advantage India’ estimated over 140 technology-enabled learning providers catering to the corporate, government and education sectors across the world. While these companies primarily focused on international markets for business (US and UK), ValueNotes highlighted the trend towards exploring the domestic corporate and education market.

With the Indian higher education sector undergoing major changes, domestic providers are now offering a variety of services to help educational institutions become more efficient and globally competitive. Technology can benefit these institutes in areas such as course delivery (through e-learning), automation of administrative processes (ERP, etc), and exam management (through online delivery and assessment), among others.

Continue reading ‘Exam Technology Outsourcing: The Indian Higher Education Context’ »

The outbreak of the H1N1, better known as swine flu, has led schools to close/be suspended in May and June. This has been primarily implemented as a safety precaution, resulting in teachers and students remaining at home indefinitely. However, from the news articles and blogs I’ve been reading, this situation seems to have sparked off a much needed debate in current educational methods. What forms of learning can be made possible for students in the absence of the traditional chalk and board? This may serve as a wake up call for educators worldwide, exposing their learning tech-readiness in light of campuses shutting down. It is no surprise that the schools and colleges that are tech savvy and already have these frameworks in place will face the least pressure from campus closure. Digitized content, distance learning methodologies, and multi-directional online communication would go far in encouraging teachers to keep their students engaged, and learning, even at home.

E-learning service providers and specialists can be expected to pounce on this opportunity, and present their case for the need to include online learning & communication methods in such times.

Continue reading ‘e-learning – the cure to the learning deficiency pandemic?’ »