Students still prefer face-to-face

Despite having been immersed in technology their whole lives, today’s students still prefer low-tech learning in a classroom. A survey of college freshmen and seniors at 13 colleges, conducted by Educause Center for Applied Research, shows that students appreciate technology to improve class management, but few see it leading to better learning. Only 12.7 percent said improved learning was the greatest benefit of technology in class, but 48.5 percent said its convenience rated high. See www.educause.edu/ecar.

Whatever happened to e-learning?

Like virtual universities, the concept of “e-learning” took rapid hold of the education world’s imagination in the ’90s and was predicted to be the silver bullet for student-centered instruction. A new report from Robert Zemsky and William F. Massy at the University of Pennsylvania explores why the concept fizzled, but also why it shouldn’t be dismissed. “What made e-learning such an attractive investment to both those who contributed sweat equity and those who contributed venture capital?” the authors ask. “While all innovations overestimate their promises, why were the claims made on e-learning’s behalf so extravagantly off the mark?” To read this short, lively analysis, called Thwarted Innovation: What Happened to E-learning and Why?, go to www.thelearningalliance.info.