(e)Learning’s role in tertiary education in New Zealand
(e)Learning will help New Zealand to take up the opportunities outlined in the Tertiary education Strategy 2002/07 for supporting our national development goals. Specifically, it will help us to respond to the challenges of globalisation, accelerating technological change and the networked knowledge society. (e)Learning has a key role to play in enabling an education system that is not only more fluid, but also more responsive to the needs of learners, education organisations, and society as a whole.
For individual learners, (e)learning can improve the access, quality and relevance of education in a number of ways:
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Connect learners with an almost limitless wealth of information
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Improve information literacy
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Increase flexibility as to where, when and how people learn
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Provide new ways in which learners can be empowered to structure and manage their own learning experiences
For tertiary education organsiations, (e)learning extends educational reach to a larger and more diverse group of students. To a large extent this is because (e)learning is less constrained by time and geography. This opens up the possibility of learning opportunites that are more flexible, therefore allowing more New Zealanders to undertake a course of study suited to their needs and circumstances. Another major benefit is that the networked education system, facilitated by (e)learning, allows access to worldwide learners, educators, opportunities and knowledge.
For our knowledge society - a networked, information rich environment with a knowledge-based economy - information literacy is becoming increasingly critical. Computer networks provide the infrastructure for people to access information, but this is of little value if they do not have the skills to use it effectively. Networked environments enhance these skills through use in context. (e)Learning is therefore seen by many as a natural and crucial learning pathway for citizens of the knowledge society, equipping them to become adaptable life-long learners.
What we have achieved so far
Taking the Next Step: The Interim Tertiary e-Learning Framework was developed by the Ministry of Education and National Library in conjunction with representatives from the tertiary sector. The interim Framework provides direction for the ongoing development of New Zealand’s tertiary sector (e)learning capability. It identifies seven key action areas that need to be addressed at a national level.
The Interim Tertiary e-Learning Framework (PDF 260kb)
Highways and Pathways: Exploring New Zealand’s e-Learning Opportunities was published by the Ministry of education in 2002. This was developed by a group of ten tertiary sector (e)learning experts, who were convened by government to recommend how the issue of (e)learning in the tertiary sector should be addressed.
Highways and Pathways (PDF 599kb)