Can I become an e-learner?

As a starting point, Michelle Gleadall ( participant in a highly-successful Open University e-learning course) said: "if you’re going to enjoy e-learning, it helps if you like learning in general".

In his say Michelle indicating willing to learn as the most important factor to a successful e-learning, since one can not posses e-learning unless he go through a learning experiences similar to those experienced in his past traditional learning.

But there are also other important factors that are crucial to ensure the learning occurrence in an online setting. These factors could be presented in an equation form:

Technology + e-learner competencies = effective learning

Technology: the availability of appropriate technology with reasonable speed of internet connection both aligned with IT literacy is very important for a learner in e-learning.

E-learner competencies: learner competencies are another important part of the equation, since e-learning may not fit with all types of learners. Three classes of competencies a learner has to measure to verify his ability to take e-learning courses are:

1. Self-directive competencies : management of the learning environment.
2. Metacognitive competencies : interaction with the learning content.
3. Collaboration competencies: interaction with virtual learning facilitators and classmates.

1. Managing the learning environment starts with self-advocacy where an e-learner must be able to identify and prioritize his or her personal skill gaps. Self-advocacy is also about self-reliance where the learner effectively manages their own time and learning resources.

2. Metacognition refers to the learner control over his cognitive processes engaged in learning. E-learners need to have a basic understanding of learning process, use effective strategies to structure their learning experiences, recognize their own individual learning styles and preferences and identify ways to test and judge their success.

3. Conveying ideas in e-learning is different than speaking in a physical classroom where people use their bodies as well as their voices to communicate. Therefore an e-learner has to posses certain skills in writing reading, listening and speaking messages through web synchronous or asynchronous communication tools.

So, answering the question "Can I become an e-learner?" will depend in your evaluation if your competencies whether to fit with e-learner competencies or not.

Internet Dial-up Connection

Internet connection today is becoming one of the essential elements people cannot live without it exactly like food, water and oxygen.
There are various connection types and person choice will depend on how he intend to use the internet.
The most common connection type -available in Oman- is Dial-up connection which is also the slowest and (usually) the most inexpensive.
Dial-up connection along with other different connection types charge by the minute of the connection; so the more time you spend on the internet the more you pay.
And since its speed in Oman is much less than the usual rate (56 Kilobits) people using it are overloaded with the service payment. For that you see some of the Omani people (those who have no other choice) all over the country complaining to improve the service; while the other group of people (who are more wealthy) choosed to use another more expensive internet service.
Although this state is not acceptable from the side of the people but its very economic for the company provide this internet service; since people continue to pay more money while they use the slow connection for long time.
So my recommendation to solve this problem is to open a competitive market for different companies each provides the best services they can with acceptable price; and where the customer and the companies both reach a point of satisfaction.