Internet Technology and eLearning

to Enhance the Quality of Higher Education

Prof.Dr.Srisakdi CharmonmanChief Executive Officer

College of Internet Distance EducationAssumption University of Thailand

charm@ksc.au.eduwww.elearning.au.edu

International Conference on Educational Leadership (ICEL 2006)

Assumption University, Bangna Campus. November 25, 2006. 1

1. Introduction

2. Definition of eLearning

3. eLearning at Higher Education Level

4. Quality of Higher Education Curricular

5. Quality for Remote Area

6. Quality of Instructors

7. Concluding Remarks

Internet Technology and eLearning to Enhance the Quality of Higher Education

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The demand for higher education has increased significantly and may continue to expand.

Introduction (Cont.)

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• The popularity of eLearning can be seen

by searching Google:

- “eLearning” found 136,000,000 entries

- “elearning university” found 39,600,000 entries

Introduction (Cont.)

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Search for “e-learning”

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Search for “e-learning university”

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Online education or “eLearning” is gaining more and more popularity all over the world.

• At the university level, there is no field of study where eLearning is not used.

• By the year 2020 It was stated in Time Magazine that more than 50% of learning will be in the eLearning mode and less than 50% in the classroom mode.

Introduction (Cont.)

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• In 1999, Jones International University became the first virtual university to be fully accredited.

• Capella University is the first virtual university to enter Nasdaq.

Introduction (Cont.)

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• Assumption University became the first in Thailand to offer complete eLearning degree programs: - M.Sc. in Management. - M.Sc. in ICT. - M.Sc. in eLearning Methodology. - Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology.

Introduction (Cont.)

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• By September 2006, there are at least 8 universities in Thailand offering at least 12 eLearning degree programs.

• Searching Google for “eLearning Ph.D. program” yielded 903,000 entries.

- The first 6 entries are of the Assumption University

Introduction (Cont.)

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Search for “eLearning Ph.D. program”

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• Searching for “define: elearning” from Google, many sources were founded.

2. Definition of eLearning

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Definitions of eLearning

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From <en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elearning>

• “E-learning often means an approach to facilitate and enhance learning through the use of devices based on computer and communications technology.

• Such devices would include - Personal computers - CDROMs - Digital Television - P.D.A.s - Mobile Phones

Definition of eLearning (Cont.)

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• Communications technology enables the use - Internet - email - discussion forums - collaborative software

Definition of eLearning (Cont.)

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From the web <www.conferzone.com/resource/glossaryop.html>, “Online Learning” is the same as “eLearning”.

From the web <www.intelera.com/glossary.html>, “Online Learning” has the same meaning as “eLearning”.

Definition of eLearning (Cont.)

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3. eLearning at Higher Education Level

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Exsample 1. Harvard and Stanford

• Since December 2000, Harvard Business School and Stanford university’s Graduate School of Business jointly offer business courses online.

• According to Kim Clark, Dean of Harvard Business School, ‘Stanford and Harvard Business School share a common mission; to educate leaders around the world’.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

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Exsample 2. Assumption University

• The College of Internet Distance Education- On April 25, 2002, The author’s proposal to establish the College of Internet Distance Education was approved by the Board of Trustees of Assumption University with the author as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the College.

eLearning at Higher Education Level

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• Assumption University - the first university in Thailand to establish a college-level organization specifically to offer eLearning, - the first university in Thailand to offer complete eLearning degree programs, - the first university in the world to offer a Ph.D. program in eLearning Methodology.

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eLearning at Higher Education Level (Cont.)

Srisakdi Charmonman IT Center at Assumption University

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Research Proposal Guideline for Ph.D in eLearning Methodology

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Example 3.Jones International University (JIU) - In 1993 Jones foresaw the potential of Internet and started JIU, which the first university anywhere to exist completely online.- In 1999, JIU became the first fully online university in the U.S. to be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and a member of the North Central Association.

eLearning at Higher Education Level (Cont.)

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• Example 4. Capella University. - At present, Capella University is an accredited virtual university operated by Capella Education in Minnepolis, USA.

eLearning at Higher Education Level (Cont.)

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- Capella University offers more than 760 online courses in more than 93 specialised areas of study. - Capella’s more than 16,000 learners include a diverse group of adults from 50 states and 63 countries. * About 740 faculty members. * About 47% of students are taking Ph.D. programs. * About 70% of revenues are from federal student financial aid programs.

eLearning at Higher Education Level (Cont.)

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Capella University website

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• Creating an international experience for students and staff through an international learning community.

• Exchanging students whereby students from one university can choose a course from another university.

4. Quality of High Education Curricular

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• Designing a joint course or degree program on the basis

of complementary expertise or fields of specialties to the students in the best of different universities.

• Students get the best of each campus and possibility for institutions to diversify courses and programs in the higher education system.

• Combining excellent expertise in the member institutions

of the virtual campuses.

Quality of High Education Curricular(Cont.)

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• eLearning removes the problems of limited boundaries.

• Everyone who wants to study has equal opportunities to take a course.

• Digital content and networked applications are providing students with access to information and resources.

• The flexibility with regard to time and place facilitate communication between instructors

and students.

5. Quality for Remote Areas

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• eLearning creates opportunities for every citizen to gain its full educational potential.

• eLearning plays an important role in adapting education system to provide for needs of economies.

• It is a cost advantages tool to provide quality education to remote areas.

Quality for Remote Areas (Cont.)

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• Capella University, is a good example of enhancing quality of instructors.

• The University encourages students and staffs to take Ph.D. programs and about 47% of students are taking Ph.D.

6. Quality of Instructors

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Assumption University, Thailand is the first university

in the world to offer Ph.D. program in eLearning Methodology.

• The University has been offering the course since May 2006.

• Assumption University is now trying to encourage faculty members, instructors, and students to use this new opportunity to build upon and strengthen their knowledge.

Quality of Instructors (Cont.)

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• Internet Technology and eLearning should be used to enhance the quality of higher education.

• All parties should explore the possibilities for the benefits of themselves, their organizations and their countries.

7. Concluding Remarks

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Thank you