The reading for this week  is Preparing E-Learners for Online Success by Ryan Watkins.

Watkins focusses on the demands placed on new e-learners with regard to study skills. He discusses some of the differences between traditional teaching and e-learning particularly the absence of the instructor when the learner may be struggling with a problem. He mentions that the learner needs to become more reliant on peer support.

We are told that the learner needs to be able to adapt existing study skills and habits learned from traditional study and develop and apply new e-learning study skills and habits.

He suggests that e-learners conduct a self-assessment survey to identify their strengths and weaknesses with regards to e-learning study skills. However he counters that suggestion with a comment that perhaps most potential e-learners would have limited exposure to the technology and study skills required for e-learning and hence would have difficulty carrying out a self-assessment on their capabilities.

The reading finishes with six tips that instructors might use to assist new e-learners. These are : 1) Include online activities as ice-breakers for learners. 2) Become familiar with the technologies used in current e-learning courses as well as other technologies that e-learners may ask about during the course. 3) Provide e-learners with the necessary information for getting in touch with technical support. 4) Offer learners opportunities to assess and improve their technology skills and e-learning study skills. 5) Supply learners with links that can prepare them with the specific skills for accomplishing the learning objectives. 6) Encourage learners to interact and communicate with other learners.

Reference

Watkins, R. 2005, Preparing e-learners for Online Success, Learning Circuits, ASTD, Virginia

http://www.learningcircuits.org/2005/sep2005/watkins.htm

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