Publication details
Barriers and motivators for e-learning in everyday routine - how to keep progressing
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Development of e-learning tools is a current challenge of teaching at any level. Using the example of a growing community of all Czech and Slovak medical faculties (network MEFANET: www.mefanet.cz) we can document clear added value of such collaboration: wide accessibility of learning objects, fast progress in individual projects, standardization of outcomes. Our experience however is that even a very modern technological background and progressive central management are not enough to maintain activity of all points in the network. Individual faculties typically have a different spectrum of study programs with differentiated priorities and not all aspects can be easily supported from just one dominating centre operating with some type of learning objects repository. In order to reach a collaborating environment, educational networks should also ensure some type of distribution and implementation pathways, accessible for each at least passively participating school. It refers to standardization of local educational portals and gates. The second barrier that can stop any centrally driven innovation is the resistance of teachers and lack of time capacity and/or human resources. A successful network must therefore create some added value that makes e-learning tools lucrative. That is why the MEFANET network visibly supports e-learning or multimedia tools of some scientific value (atlases, comprehensive electronic textbooks) that is stimulating for leading experts in study programs. Although it is not the core aim of the community, many potential authors can be attracted through such type of outcomes and subsequently they come into contact with standard e-learning or are willing to support it in their departments. The MEFANET network develops standards that allow transparent assessment of the outcomes by a broad scientific community. It gives to e-learning a visible position that finally stimulates the required feedback from participating teachers or teams. |