When you read reports about the future of e-learning such as the latest ACTeN - Anticipating Content Technology Needs report of June 2004 you get the impression that e-learning is and will be void of any teachers.
Traditional classroom-based training initiatives are seen to be "disruptive" when compared to the freedom, that e-learning brings: access to knowledge anywhere and anytime.
The role of the teacher is reduced to a mere 'tour guide' who "supports the learners through their learning path" showing them where to find sources of information and helping them to stay motivated throughout the course.
Who is behind this ACTeN report?
ACTeN "monitors the digital media market and transfers know-how in Europe, as such ACTeN detects new developments in e-content research . ACTeN continuously monitors market innovations, facilitates expert discussions and undertakes best-practise workshop Europe-wide looking into the future."
ACTeNÂ’s experts, made up of 18 round tables of throughout Europe, are paid to look into the future of e-learning and most amazing as it may seem: they do not see teachers in virtual classrooms in this picture. Teachers are completely missing. Virtual classroom technology is not even mentioned.
Quite in contrast to the expertsÂ’ opinion: I have a vision.
I have a vision of teachers returning to their classrooms. Not to real classrooms but virtual classrooms and I perceive that we will even see an increase in live online courses outnumbering traditional courses.
Let me explain why this is a realistic vision and let me also explain why classroom teaching is viewed so negatively in the ACTeN report ....
