As e-learning continues to expand at a pace, the British
Computer Society (BCS) is establishing an e-learning specialist group to provide leadership and direction. The group will hold regular
meetings in virtual worlds such as Second Life.
With technology embedded in almost
every aspect of 21st century life, citizens need to be digitally
literate. E-learning provides a
solution for those who cannot access colleges and schools – in 2006 nearly
3.5million students* were participating in online learning at higher education
institutes. Employers are also embracing the technology that allows their
employees to develop additional skills without leaving the workplace.
The BCS e-learning specialist group
will work with practitioners in the field to promote best practice in all
aspects of e-teaching and e-research.
Working with key organisations, the group will develop e-learning
policies and procedures, standards and specifications, and participate in
ongoing benchmarking, networking and e-learning related dialogues. The group
hopes to attract interest from e-learning professionals to develop an active
community.
Mike Rodd, director of BCS Learned
Society explains: “This is an exciting step for BCS, e-learning standards are already
being developed and we need to be part of this development. The formation of
this specialist group will help provide an authoritative sounding board for
professionals active in e-teaching and e-research.”
E-Learning marks the convergence of
the Internet and learning. Network technologies are used to create, foster,
deliver, and facilitate learning, anytime and anywhere. Such delivery of
individualized, comprehensive, dynamic learning content in real time, aids the
development of communities of knowledge, linking learners and practitioners
with experts. In recent times e-learning has become a phenomenon delivering
accountability, accessibility, and opportunity which allows people and
organizations to keep up with the rapid changes that define the Internet world.
