Challenges for implementing E-Learning

There are a few challenges to implementing E-learning into schools and they are

• Change needs to come from the top down, the head of the school and department need to fully support the change in order for there to be significant and long term change.
• Individual staff need to take ownership and engage in using and promoting E-Learning.
  
• "Many academics feel strongly that the ways they have always taught are in fact the appropriate ways to teach their own discipline" (Collis & Moonen, 2001, p. 61).
  
• Staff may feel that the time it takes is excessive (Collis & Moonen, 2001, p. 61).
• The staff that need the most help to adjust are the least likely to ask for help or participate in training sessions.
  

But the Australian Government is focusing on the need for E-Learning and it is good to have the support of government to combat the above mentioned challenges. When the change is systematic, well planned and implemented it is definitely achievable.

Starting teachers going into schools need to be careful not to alienate existing staff members and find out the existing procedures and protocols before trying to implement change. From working building up businesses for in excess of 15 years, one rule of change that I have learned is to watch and observe for a period (normally 1 year in business) before trying to implement too much change. The customers (students) and staff (other teachers and management) are use to a certain way that things must be done and the new idea will have trouble being floated until the new owner (or teacher) has been tried and has built a rapport and reputation, and thus will be taken more seriously.

This in a way goes against my personality which can be "full on" especially when I have sunk my teeth into something. But it is vitally important to build the rapport before undertaking excessive change.

Collis, B., & Moonen, J. (2001). Flexible learning in a digital world: experiences and expectations London: Kogan Page Limited.