Building Discussion Groups for iLearn Users

Experience shows that one of the biggest challenges for an e-learning project is motivating online students. The drop-out rate can be as high as 80% for systems where there is no real relationship between the trainer and the trainee.

 

In addition, it can be helpful for trainees to be able to contact each other. For this reason, the BBC World Service Trust has developed online discussion forums which are now up and running on the iLearn system.

 

Users can join in discussions with other students at any time, and may receive messages form their own tutors or the central iLearn team. There is also an opportunity for trainees to take part in scheduled net meetings, which are moderated by online tutors and allow a free exchange of views based on material covered in completed modules.

 

As well as using the forums in conjunction with their iLearn courses, trainees can also ask questions directly to journalists in other countries where there are iLearn projects. So a Somali journalist can ask a Sri Lankan journalist about the after effects of the Tsunami in that region, or vice versa.

 

So post a message now – the forums will only be a success if people use them…