Reflection (Week 11)

After reading the article, I think that if now, learning management systems were really developed to a point that it was not just a place for uploading and downloading materials, but also providing all interactions among teachers and learners, effective learning would not occur through using the system as well.

First, teachers are not ready. In fact, lots of teachers just do not have the knowledge to teach with technologies (probably except using powerpoint). I saw some senior teachers who did not even know how to burn a CD for storing information. For using learning management systems, both experienced and fresh teachers are not ready yet. For example, in my work school, WebCT is used. Whenever something is to be uploaded to it, both senior and junior teachers cry for help from either the technician or the colleagues who have the knowledge of the system, not to mention creating online interactions for e-learning in the system.

For students, they are not ready for e-learning as well. In Hong Kong, students are very exam-oriented. They are usually only interested in stuff that can help them get marks in the course. Also, the mode of learning of students is not right for learning through interactions. Most of them like studying alone and memorizing handouts. They hardly have the habit of learning by forming a community online with other students who study for the same subject. One more thing, as mentioned in the article, the interface of learning management systems like WebCT is too complicated due to its ability to do everything in one tool. It takes time for the students to figure out what to click for certain things, which simply further de-motivate them to adopt learning through the system.

Even if e-learning is not really happening now, lots of schools are still paying for them. I believe one of the reasons is that learning management systems are needed for the sake of the course implementation. For some courses to reach certain quality, it is advised that independent learning materials online are included as part of the course. This could be a possible reason why learning management systems are always designed in favor of the organization instead of the students.