Effective Use of E-Learning Technologies to Promote Student Centered Learning Paradigms within Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

The unveiling of e-learning technologies has led to an increase in the use of e-learning systems also known as educational technologies to support blended learning in Universities by providing a mix of face-to-face classroom teaching, live e-learning, self-paced e-learning and distance learning. Despite the existing benefits of using e-learning, some higher education institutions have not utilized e-learning to its full potential to foster student-centered learning. This approach of learning is profoundly social and therefore emphasizes the influence of social environments that surround a student's learning and cognitive development. Student-centered learning focuses on fostering communicative and collaborative skills amongst the students as well as with their teachers making the students more engaged rather than passive in their learning process. E-learning technologies have the ability to support social-interactions between students and teachers and amongst students. However, there are limited studies that offer a comprehensive framework for effectively using e-learning systems to support student-centered learning in higher education institutions. It is therefore imperative that learning technologists understand the factors and approaches of influencing effective blended learning. Results of an expert survey conducted show a number of factors established as being important for enhancing student-centered learning by effectively using e-learning technologies. This paper describes a methodological framework consisting of factors necessary for fostering student-centered learning by effectively using e-learning technologies within Universities.