Virtual learning (VL) is likely to be a solution to the study leave issue which is seen by teachers as retrogressive and possibly unconstitutional. The TSC Study Leave policy (denies undergraduate teachers). These teachers are forced to take unpaid study leave thus loosing earnings, opportunities for promotion or positions of seniority. Others are forced to resign. With online learning, they can both work and study. They won’t need to resign – they will retain their jobs while attending university or college.

Teachers with families are reluctant to go for further studies because of the potential for disrupting family life.  Online education allows them to spend time with family while learning. Since online classes can be taken any time, students with young children can take online classes after the children are asleep. Married couples taking online education can get spousal support when doing their assignments.

A teacher taking holiday or evening classes at university is likely to drop a class if they are assigned duties away from their station. Online learning is flexible. The teacher can log on to a VL classroom any time of the day or night; in addition, most classes require only an 8-12 hour commitment per week.

Teachers, principals and other educators are often torn between taking time off from work and other priorities in order to attend a campus-based course or enrol in a programme. Although employers want to see teachers show initiative by enhancing their knowledge, they may also want to see them on the job, keeping abreast of the school or college initiatives. Virtual learning provides a solution because teachers remain on the job and obtain certification or degrees at the same time. Both the teachers and their employers are winners.

Teachers are able to learn online without having to miss days of work and depend on others to cover for them at the work place. Because of the advantages of distance learning, a teacher is more at ease while s/he study and would not worry about what would be happening back at the school or college. They will be in their workplace and can handle their teaching tasks. Online education prepares them to get the certification needed for on-the-job promotion or career advancement.

Today, several universities in East Africa such as Strathmore, Inoorero, Kenya College of Accountant and others employ virtual learning (VL) activities as one of their approaches to education and training. We expect many more universities to follow suit as it will expand space for more students, especially the working professional, to go for further studies. The new approach to teaching and learning does not require expensive technology and equipment. All that teachers require are a computer and internet connection. VL activities often occur in unstructured environments.  Teachers and principals can access the material over the Web at any time of day or night.

Teachers can learn and earn online degrees essential for on-the-job advancement or for the sake of employment. Through VL or e-learning teachers find the time to explore subjects they have been interested in but unable to pursue because of job and family considerations. Teachers, principals or education officers who travel to and from classes after work need not to drive or take a matatu each day to a university but will find it convenient to participate in online courses. They can use the travel hours as study hours.

Money is saved that would otherwise be spent on transport, accommodation, and meals. Teachers save time on lecture notes and organizing their materials. E-mail takes the place of travelling to meet with other students.

Teachers who opt to take virtual learning to upgrade their education stand to benefit in many ways. As if writing about teachers, someone made an interesting comment on the internet on  VL and I quote: “Working professionals, by far the majority  to enrol in online courses, continue to work full time, raise families, and take necessary courses and, if desired, earn the degrees or credentials they need for advancement and/or salary increases at work. Both they and their employers benefit from this win/win approach: business meetings are attended, business trips are taken, and coursework is completed—at the student’s convenience, albeit at 11pm or 5pm in pyjamas and slippers.  The employer retains the employee’s contribution to the organization and benefits from the gain in information and skill. The employee retains his or her job, learns what is needed for advancement, and enjoys family life while being at home.”

Virtual learning or e-learning has the unlimited potential for collaborative work and small-group discussions among students who may never meet face-to-face. VL allows students to see and hear other virtual classmates.  These classrooms never close.  No one rings the bell.  No one tells you when to stop.  Lights stay on.

Online education is not much of a deviation from the traditional approach to teaching and learning. It shares many skills and techniques with traditional face-to-face classes. VL requires teachers to learn important computer and Internet skills - use email, attaching and downloading files, post ideas and responses, etc; also enhance their written and oral communication skills.  VL activity can be as simple as students visiting a web page posted by the lecturer to receive instructions for the assignment.  These instructions could then require the students to perform assigned readings, and conduct library research.

While the online lecturer has no control over the students individual time spent outside class on the virtual learning activity, an engaging project will motivate students to check their email, post messages, and work on specifically assigned tasks on their own.  Virtual activities and projects actually provide students with a sense of ownership which increases self esteem and fosters self motivation.

The final result of the activity may be students posting their research papers on the Internet with a brief page describing what they learned.  The lecturer can also use this model to post homework assignments, gather student/parental feedback, and archive past unit material and lessons.

Student interaction is increased. Online education students may share their views and ask other learners around the globe questions. Online learning facilities give teachers the opportunities to study in a class of leading researchers or other experts giving online courses in other parts of the world.  Students can meet online with experts and students worldwide without leaving their home or office to attend class physically.

Online education can allow a student to learn at their own pace. Classes are usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some universities will allow you to complete a typical 2-year MBA programme, for example, in less time if you double up in classes. Completion of some online programmes is based on demonstration of your competence in an area rather than on classes taken. Students earn credits by demonstrating their competence via assessment.

Students in rural areas can take classes online, as long as they can get to a computer with internet access. Likewise, with financial aid and scholarships available through online colleges and travel and lodging expenses eliminated, classes and degree programs are within the reach of more of the population.

Teachers in rural areas can stay at home and learn online. However, one area that still requires attention is high-speed internet access in some rural areas. While most enrolees have such access, many rural areas are still on dialup and teachers find that some interactive courses that utilize videoconferencing are not possible for them.

The Flip Side of the Coin

Teachers should be aware of both sides of the VL coin under review so they can make an informed decision on whether or not to enrol on an online degree. It is important to note that success in learning depends on the student. What is good for one student may be bad for another. Furthermore, online education is internet intensive. It is, therefore a pre-condition that a teacher should have solid computer and internet skills (as well as easy access to the internet). Those who do not have these skills will have to put in extra hours working either on their own or with the programme technical support staff to upgrade their skill to a level that favours online education. The positive side of doing the extra work to develop appropriate skills for online education are that the teacher will increase their internet ability and computer familiarity. This increases their skill set later in the job market. A student who wants to master these skills will likely experience a learning curve and have to work doubly hard at first to keep up with the class and assignments.

Online education has its own challenges. Students must be able to organize their time efficiently so as to manage course work. If they typically depend on class peers to motivate them, online education may not be the route for them. If they enjoy the interactive process of learning;  listening to teachers and other students, making eye contact to help them to keep focus, then the more visual style required for online learning may leave them wanting. An idea is to try an online class that is not a critical one for them and see whether they adapt well to the online learning environment.
Another consideration to take into account is online learning requires a record of their participation. Silently following along no longer works; each student is expected to make an online contribution and, possibly, to participate in team or group projects with others. Active learning is the key to success in online education.

If they (know) that how appearance, voice, or style of interaction has helped them win in the past, online learning may nullify these advantages, leaving them with a learning curve to succeed.  {To make online education or virtual learning as easy as possible, a student must be comfortable using a computer and the internet. A student who wants to master these skills will likely experience a learning curve and have to work doubly hard at first to keep up with the class and assignments. Those who prefer to listen only in lectures and class will find that online learning requires a record of their participation. Silently following along no longer works; each student is expected to make an online contribution and, possibly, to participate in team or group projects with others. Active learning is the key to success in online education}-(repetition). Before signing up for an online class or program, a teacher really needs to think over a few vital considerations.

Another consideration is shyness—students who hesitate to speak up in class often find it much easier to key in a comment or the answer to a question. Online courses, though mostly on a visual level, provide a wealth of opportunities for student and teachers to interact throughout the course. Far from being like a correspondence course, online learners participate constantly in an engaging and active learning environment. What replaces class discussions is an exciting exchange of ideas and comments that might not happen in the traditional classroom setting.

In the Complete Book of Distance Learning Schools, Dr. Jerry Ice and Dr. Paul Edelson point out that, although some students find it a problem to be isolated from other students and their instructor, many enjoy getting to know their classmates via the email exchanges that are part of the classes. They enjoy the interaction with others and know their contributions are critical to their success in class. If, however, they are used to absorbing the content through listening to others talk, the new types of participation may represent a bit of a learning curve. If they fail to contribute to class discussions, the teacher is sure to notice.

Importance of the Course or Programme

Those who have clear goals such as, eligibility for promotions, salary increases, more challenging assignments, or increased responsibility are most likely to succeed. Similarly, those who can’t afford to waste energy, time, and money travelling to and from traditional schools are very likely to succeed because of the importance of these considerations.

Others considerations are a requirement to keep current on technological advancements or get certified in a new or updated programming language. In these competitive times, both the employee and the employer benefit. And the student who is employed can start to use the new information on the job, thereby absorbing more of the information because it is immediately utilized in a real-life situation.

Convenience

Those whose work involves travelling find online education a great advantage. Whether they are in Boston, Seoul, or Paris, they can log on, follow the course, complete the assignments, and perform their jobs. Those who choose to spend time with their children or spouse in the evening may find themselves logging onto their course late in the evening or early in the morning. Everything they need is available.

Location, location, location—but with online education, it means not only that students can log on to their course while travelling, their location no longer determines which courses or programs they can take! If a student wants to take a course or earn a degree that is not offered at the local college, online education is the solution. Want to study with an internationally renowned expert? Online education may provide the solution.

Ease of juggling your career, family’s needs, and your education may also make online education an attractive option. You can set your own schedule, study at your convenience, and even use the internet to select your school, course, and apply. And convenience also includes the use of email, bulletin boards, and chartrooms, which are often part of the class activities.

Degree of Self-Motivation and Responsibility

Most of those who enrol in online classes and programs are working professionals who have chosen to combine education with staying home with family and with working full time. Learn while you earn is a compelling motivator. Single mothers are among those highly motivated to learn online: they can still care for their children, advance in their chosen fields, and stay within budget.
Self-motivation may not be a strong enough word; perhaps “drive” or “total commitment” can be used to describe those who earn degrees online. This not only covers the reason for taking the course or program, but also the motivation to be self-motivated to log on, do the assignments, take the tests, and so forth.