Globalization, e-Learning & The Art of War

Tan Wee Hoe (whtan@miit.unikl.edu.my) Instructor / R&D CoordinatorMalaysian Institute Information TechnologyUniversiti Kuala Lumpur

Presenter:

Tan Wee Hoe, MIIT, UniKL Stanley Richardson, Multimedia University

Authors:

Aim of Paper

To explore the potential and challenges of e-learning technologies in globalization era.

To apply some principles of ‘The Art of War’ to current e-learning.

Overview

Globalization, global education and e-Learning Advantages and potential of global education and

e-learning Interdependency of e-Learning and Globalization The Dangers & Challenges of Global Education &

e-Learning Sun Tzu’s The Art of War Application of principles of ‘The Art of War’

Definitions of Globalization

Tight economic definition (Krugman) A catchall phrase for growing world trade, the growing linkages

between financial markets in different countries, and the many other ways in which the world is becoming a smaller place.

Broader social definition (Steger) A multidimensional set of social processes that create, multiply,

stretch, and intensify worldwide social interdependencies and exchanges while at the same time fostering in people a growing awareness of deepening connections between the local and the distant.

Global Education

1. The study of problems & issues which cut across national boundaries, & the interconnectedness of cultural, environmental, economic, political, & technological systems;

2. The cultivation of cross-cultural understanding, which includes development of the skill of “perspective-taking”—that is, being able to see life from someone else’s point of view (ie empathy).

(Tye & Tye,1992)

Advantages of Global Education

Pedagogical rationale: The reach of the global course

• Students from many different countries• Mitigate against the usually dominant Western world view.

The access to the global course• Access extended to educationally disadvantaged

The teachers on the global course• Shared expertise

The development of the global course• Multi-cultural content

(Mason, 1998)

E-Learning Technologies

The new delivery mechanisms for most global education are electronic (Mason, 1998)—hence the term e-learning.

E-learning is any use of web and Internet technologies to deliver solutions that enhance the instructional process. (Tan et al, 2005)

Potential of e-Learning Interoperability

Cross-platform, cross-system Accessibility

Anywhere, anytime Reusability

Learning objects Sharable learning content

Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) compliant learning objects

Blended-learning Just-in-need, just-in-time

Interdependency of e-Learning & Globalization

Globalization without e-Learning e-Learning without Globalization

1. Too few technical skills would exist to maintain & build the infrastructure.

2. Increased concentration of business skills accessed by the “have,” with increased numbers of “have-not,” would limit the human capital necessary to drive progress & generate new ideas

3. Too little ability to communicate meaningfully with people from different cultures, would create as significant a barrier to exchange as incompatible technical standards.

1. The size of audience would not be sufficient to create next generation courses

2. People in under connected regions would be less interested in taking courses if the opportunity did not exist to practice and benefit from the new skills

3. The technology infrastructure to deploy & run the content would not exist

(Aldrich, 2003)

The Dangers & Challenges of Global Education & e-Learning

“Those who do not thoroughly comprehend the dangers inherent in employing the army are incapable of truly knowing the potential advantages of military actions.”

Sun Tzu

Dangers of Global EducationCognitive argument:

E-learning causes the breakdown of linear, narrative structures associated with traditional text-based material

Fragmentation & superficiality induced by the hyperlinked structures of the Web-based materials.

Educational argument:

The undesirable aspects of

consumerism, wherein learning

ceases to be about analysis,

discussion & examination, &

becomes a product to be bought

& sold, to be packaged,

advertised & marketed.

Social argument:

The breakdown of physical community.

Cultural argument:

The loss of indigenous cultures & the relentless imposition of Western values.

Challenges of e-Learning

Everyone has learning needs but no one has e-learning needs—e-learning is a solution not an end in itself. (Morrison, 2003)

This misapplication of e-learning is sometimes driven by internal competition & ego rather than sound analysis and decision-making…it may not get the front-end assessment, the task analysis, audience analysis, & assessment of learner environment required for quality design & effective learning. (Labonte, 2003)

Learning does not equal performance—the enthusiasm with the technical capabilities of e-learning may lead to talking &acting as if e-learning is the silver bullet, the miracle cure for organizational & individual performance problems. (Labonte, 2003)

Sun Tzu’s The Art of War

A Chinese military treatise written during the 6th century BC.

The chapters of The Art of War are:

1. Laying Plans

2. Waging War

3. Attack by Stratagem

4. Tactical Dispositions

5. Energy

6. Weak Points & Strong Points

7. Maneuvering

8. Variation in Tactics

9. The Army On The March

10. Terrain

11. The Nine Situations

12. The Attack By Fire

13. The Use of Spies

Orientations of The Art of War

Orientation Description

Total orientation Emphases the importance of total strategy & the wholeness in problem identification.

Active orientation Emphases that action should be taken actively rather than passively.

Future orientation Emphases that the study of strategy should be started at planning.

Pragmatic orientation

Emphases practicality & the importance of experiences and statistical information.

(Niu, 2003)

Application of Principles of The Art of War

“Know the enemy and know yourself; in hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. Know neither your enemy nor yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril.”

Sun Tzu

Application of Principles of The Art of WarTeaching & Learning Instructor analyses the instructional setting

to identify the learning styles & needs of learners. to determine the types & amount of learning content to determine the instructional methods.

Instructor should conduct self-analysis to identify individual research methods to identify preferences & expertise (eg skills &

knowledge) to nurture unique instructional methods or styles

Teaching & Learning Leaner analyses the learning environment

to identify the instructional styles & expectations of instructors.

to determine the ways to excel in a particular course. to adapt or customise the learning environment.

Learner should conduct self-analysis to identify personal learning needs & style to identify the ‘prime time’ for learning to nurture effective and efficient learning methods.

Application of Principles of The Art of War

Curriculum Design Standalone course in military science

programmes at university level. Principles applied in management subjects To develop learners’ strategic thinking

skills.

Application of Principles of The Art of War

Application of Principles of The Art of WarVirtues of

‘Jiang’Management Academics Learners Support Staff

Wisdom Set the master Plan for university development.

Possess the knowledge & skills in creating global learning environment.

Identify individual learning style & preferences.

Possess the technical

knowledge & skills to support e-learning.

Sincerity Trust theacademics & support staff in executing plans.

Demonstrate ethical concerns while teaching or creating teaching materials & learning objects.

Trust the effectiveness & efficiency of the e-learning system.

Demonstrate technical concern & trustworthy behaviour.

Benevolence Be considerate & fair indistributing workload among parties involved.

Be concerned with the learning progress of learners.

Appreciate the efforts of all parties involved in e-learninginitiatives.

Be concerned with the stability & usability of the e-learning system.

Courage Be ready to invest resources to initiate global learning.

Adapt and adopt new Pedagogical

approaches & educational technologies.

Dare to try new learning methods

Be ready to support technically.

Strictness Set reward system. Be consistent in setting policies.

Ensure all learners involve actively.

Be participative active & punctual.

Ensure the e-learning system works all the time.

Conclusion

Although written about 2,500 years ago Sun Tzu’s ‘The Art of War’ is applicable to most human activity today.

Instructors and learners can benefit from The Art of War provided that the management of educational institutions are appropriately committed & motivated.

The application of Sun Tzu’s principles should ensure that instructors, learners & their organisations are balanced in their approach to e-learning.

Thank you!