The entire context is too broad. In this section I want to keep my ideas and opinions to the virtual learning platforms, that facilitate e-learning in the tertiary sector of private colleges. I want to discuss on the advantages and disadvantages that migrating to VLE in the education field may have on the users and providers.
UK universities as we know are pioneers in offering Virtual Learning Environments for the provision of a variety of academic courses, with limitations to courses that may need practical training. Nevertheless, software simulation, virtual reality and other such technologies have opened the opportunities for VLE delivery of these courses possible too. Platforms like Moodle, Blackboard, Web CT, Lotus, StudyNet and many more are already in use, in many private colleges, that run UK university undergraduate and post graduate programs in Singapore and Malaysia. However, there are still many colleges, that have not adopted even partial delivery of courses through the VLE.
For a group of students the following problem was given and they were asked to analyse the problem solution using the Three Sphere Model.
For a private college, where the delivery of lectures are purely traditional, there is a proposl to migrate into partial delivery of lectures through VLE. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this proposal if it were to be implemented? It is understood that VLE is featured with Content Management Systems.(CMS).
The solution to the problem can be obtained through the analysis of the scenario under the three dimensions of the Three Sphere Model, which are Business Perspective, Organization Perspective and Technology Perspective. A class of 30 students were divided into groups, each group was given the task to apply this model in arriving at the solution on the migration to a VLE. Having discussed among themselves, keeping in mind all factors that influences the topic, they came out with solutions.
Business Perspective
1. What is the cost of the network provision required to facilitate the virtual environment for access of lectures and course materials?
2. Is there a need for special servers to house the system, dedicated to the college? If so, what will be the cost of the server?
3. What is the cost of any new software and hardware that has to be made available for the virtual environment?
4. What is the cost of maintanence and support of the system, once it implemented?
5. Does the student need to have any special licensed softwares to access the course materials? If so, what are costs like?
6. How will this new system affect the enrollment? Since students do not have to be physically present in the college, it may be convenient for part timers, who are working. This may increase enrollments, whereas on the other side, how is it gonna impact full time enrollment?
Organization Perspective
1. Which group of students are affected by the migration? Are they mentally prepared to accept the new learning model?(Even though traditional lecture is also followed, some students may have a resistance to virtual environments.)
2. What type of training is essential to facilitate the virtual learning platform, for example Blackboard CT or Moodle? Who will provide the training, both to the staff and the students?
3. What if the students affected do not have a computer of their own? Will they be willing to buy one, or should they have to make use of browsing centres to attend the virtual lectures, if they are real time.
Technological Perspective
1. What Operating Systems support the VLE platform?
2. What software and hardware specifications are required to enable the working of the VLE on the system.
3. What is the requirement of the internet bandwidth, to enable upload and download of information, transmission of real time lecture etc. Will there be congestion of network, when there are more people trying to access real time lectures?
4. Is there a need for video chat, in case of virtual classrooms, where the lecturers conducts chat session with students, all logged in at the same time?
5. Is the interface designed in a user friendly way, so that students dont develop a resistance to this type of learning model.
The Three sphere model approach to the problem, generates questions in each of the three spheres. When the answers for these questions can be identified, the list of advantages and disadvantages are derived. On having studied the benefits, the organization may want to opt the idea or may want to opt out.
The above questions were formulated using input from students. However, a detailed research can guarantee a more accurate answer, when the model is applied on a larger group of students.
But there was one thing evident, that even among part timers, the resistance to adopt VLE prevails at a higher level. So there is along way to go, to replace this model with the VLE, however advanced technology may move.
