eLearning Port

Would Be Teachers Should eLearn

One idea that has been in my mind for a long time is how to get content. Though there is an abundance of it online, I think BS Education students should start creating and developing open content two years before they graduate. These should be  pre-requisites before they take the teachers licensure examination.

I assume many will oppose this for various reasons. Their arguments may be valid (or not), but I have my reasons, too.

First, it will create content. If there are a thousand students who will create at least a one-hour module based on the current curriculum, that’s one thousand hours of possible content for a free elearning school. Done yearly, you can see how this will greatly help our educational system.

Second, it will develop instructional design skills. Aside from using it in their future teaching careers, it could open up new avenues and opportunities. Instructional designers are or will be in demand as more and more companies will see the benefit of elearning. Already, Indian companies are raking in profits from their BPO operations for custom courses requested by companies all over the world.

Third, it will prepare them for the inevitability of integrating elearning in the education system. While it is not mandatory at present to use technology when teaching, a few years down the road will give us low-cost, affordable, technology that works well with any mode of learning. No one wants to be caught flat-footed when this comes.

Fourth, educating them with the mindset of sharing open content brings them closer to the bigger global community. It gives them the opportunity to contribute to society even before they start their careers.

Simple and doable.

Any takers?