E-learning – the McDonaldization of education

Abstract

E-learning has become one of the biggest phenomena of educational literature in recent years. Although the potential promise of e-learning is often expected within the process of learning, much of the emphasis is in fact on the electronic issues to facilitate learning, with little regard for its consequences on the learning process. Surprising, very few studies explore students request for such technologies, which begs the question – what problem is e-learning trying to address and whose problem is it? This article argues that although we continue to develop sophisticated gadgetry to ‘enhance’ learning, technology can in fact distract the learner by allowing technology to become more intrusive in the educational experience. Consequently, this often erodes the human factor in learning – making the learning process a more isolated experience. This article suggests that academics should become more cautions with their acceptance of facilitating learning through e-learning platforms without fully understanding the impact on students learning experiences. The article offers a critical reflection on an extensive study carried out on students' (total: 475) experience with e-learning at third level education. This article reflects on the findings and raises concerns regarding the contrast in what e-learning literature promises and what students actually experience.

Keywords:

• e-learning
• mass learning
• McDonaldization
• learning consequences
• asynchronous tools
• reflection

Notes on contributor

Dr Noel Carroll is a postdoctoral researcher within the School of Business at Dublin City University (DCU). He completed his PhD at LERO – the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre, University of Limerick which focuses on the emerging discipline of Service Science. He has also worked as a researcher at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management in Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands where he investigated the application of serious gaming learning solutions to examine team strategy and interaction. He has also completed a Masters (Research) in Business on e-learning support within third level education in Ireland.