Transcript Globalization, e-Learning & The Art of War
Globalization, e-Learning & The Art of War
Presenter: Tan Wee Hoe ( [email protected]
) Instructor / R&D Coordinator Malaysian Institute Information Technology Universiti Kuala Lumpur Authors: Tan Wee Hoe, MIIT, UniKL Stanley Richardson, Multimedia University
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
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The study of problems & issues which cut across national boundaries, & the interconnectedness of cultural, environmental, economic, political, & technological systems; 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
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Globalization without e-Learning Too few technical skills would exist to maintain & build the infrastructure.
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 Too little ability to communicate meaningfully with people from different cultures, would create as significant a barrier to exchange as incompatible technical standards.
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e-Learning without Globalization The size of audience would not be sufficient to create next generation courses 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 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 Education
Cognitive 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 problems. (Labonte, 2003) —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
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.
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Laying Plans Waging War Attack by Stratagem Tactical Dispositions Energy Weak Points & Strong Points Maneuvering 8.
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Variation in Tactics The Army On The March Terrain The Nine Situations The Attack By Fire The Use of Spies
Orientations of The Art of War
Orientation
Total orientation Active orientation Future orientation Pragmatic orientation
Description
Emphases the importance of total strategy & the wholeness in problem identification.
Emphases that action should be taken actively rather than passively. Emphases that the study of strategy should be started at planning.
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 War
Teaching & 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
Application of Principles of The Art of War
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
Learners Virtues of ‘Jiang’ Wisdom Sincerity Benevolence Courage Strictness Management Academics
Set the master Plan for university development.
Trust the academics & support staff in executing plans.
Be considerate & fair in distributing workload among parties involved. Be ready to invest resources to initiate global learning.
Set reward system. Be consistent in setting policies.
Possess the knowledge & skills in creating global learning environment. Demonstrate ethical concerns while teaching or creating teaching materials & learning objects.
Be concerned with the learning progress of learners. Adapt and adopt new Pedagogical approaches & educational technologies.
Ensure all learners involve actively.
Identify individual learning style & preferences.
Be participative active & punctual.
Support Staff
Possess the technical knowledge & skills to support e-learning.
Trust the effectiveness & efficiency of the e-learning system. Demonstrate technical concern & trustworthy behaviour.
Appreciate the efforts of all parties involved in e-learning initiatives.
Dare to try new learning methods Be concerned with the stability & usability of the e-learning system.
Be ready to support technically.
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!