Motivation and e-learning

Are students motivated by this type of learning?

Course designers must realise that learning styles are different: visual learners, kinaesthetic learners, auditory learners. E-learning courses must cater for all otherwise learners will lose interest.

Reasons for a high drop-out rate
* Learners can feel isolated.
* Difficult navigation within the site.
* Confusing instructions for tasks.
* Irrelevant material for learners' needs.
* Technical breakdowns.


How to keep learners motivated
* Isolation is an important issue.
- Teachers post a Welcome Letter at the beginning of course.
- Material is written in a "chatty", informal way.
- Learners encouraged early on to find out about each other (hobbies, goals, interests).
- Encourage competition between learners (who has written the best essay, who can post the first message).
- Teachers check in regularly, at pre-assigned times (and never fail to do so).
- Learners are encouraged to post their photograph (if they want to - some prefer to remain anonymous).
- Teachers praise frequently.
- Teachers provide and ask for constant feedback.
- Work can be shared.
- Lurkers are contacted by email to find out the reason for non-participation.
* Navigation must be kept simple. Not everyone is technically minded.
* Tasks need to be explained in the simplest terms.
- Models and examples should be given (more than in face-to-face classrooms).
- Continually tell the learners what they have done, what they are doing and what they will do next.
- Make sure they are aware of the objectives of each exercise.
- Give deadlines for submission of tasks.
- Teachers set realistic dates for turn-around of homework (and keep to it)
* To make the course relevant, learners are encouraged to take turns in being responsible for leading a discussion or task. They are given plenty of practice to use new skills.
* Technical breakdowns will occur, they are still a fact of life. Essential that the teacher has a contact telephone number or e-mail address for each learner.


Conclusion

As technology develops, it will become cheaper and will meet the needs of all types of learners. Visual learners were, to some extent, satisfied by the static websites. But what about the others? With new technology, video and audio clips can be used to help the auditory learners. PowerPoint slides or other graphic illustrations can further help the visual learners and kin-aesthetic learners can be given links to other websites and encouraged to be interactive and independent.

Institutes, schools and governments are becoming more aware of this development and there are plans for a pan-European network. E-learning is a fact, it is here and will stay here, continually developing until it is within the reach and pocket of everyone