The Wales-Wide Web

It is pretty clear e-learning is not working. Despite all the hype learners just are not being turned on by it. That is not to say that there is not a lot of e-learning going on and some very fine learning software and content has been developed. But e-learning is not transforming the learning landscape in the way it was supposed to.

There is plenty of debate as to why. Most often cited are the lack of training of teachers in facilitating e-learning, the need for new pedagogic approaches and a lack of quality learning materials.

I think it goes deeper than this. If there is to be an expansion of e-learning it will be predominantly in what is known as the lifelong learning sector. This means involving adults in on-going learning. This in turn means pursauding enterprises to support e-learning. Whilst large companies are generally developing and implementing training plans and programmes - and many of them have embraced e-learning - in small and medium enterprises, which employ the majority of people, there is no culture of training and learning. Without such a culture e-learning has little chance.

The second problem, which may be more fundamental, involves the nature of knowledge. Much learning happens through the aquisition and practice of tacit knowledge - defined by Polyani as knowledge we do not know we have. This knowledge is acquired informally - through social interaction or through practice. Of course it can be said that traditional classroom learning and training also neglects tacit knowledge. But I think we have underestimated the hidden curricla processees that take place in formal learning and training contexts through social interaction between indivudals during the formal learning. Thus, very often, both explcit and tacit knowledge are acquired side by side - and may interact.

The problem with e-learning is it isolates the learner from a social context. Even well designed constructivist learning using group exercises fails to support tacit knowledge acquisition. This is not to say it is impossible for e-learning to support the acquistion of tacit knowledge. Knownet is working on two projects - one for careers guidance professionals and one for school students - which do focus on shared knowledge (more about these in the next few days). However we do need a very thorough rethink of the interface between knowledge and learning and what role technology might play in such an interface.