TOWARDS A MODEL OF INTERNET LEARNING FOR HONG KONG EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS

Abstract

Pressures on higher education to incorporate online technologies are likely to continue to grow. Some schools in universities may not be competitive in a few years ’ time unless they have embraced online technologies, whether as an integral part of the curriculum or simply as another way to convey. A paradigm shift has occurred in the nature of learning with the advent of the Internet and the hyper-textual links it allows. Not only is the currency of learning material and the opportunities for interaction with this material changing the very nature of what could be termed distance education but also it is changing the industrialization system of development, production and delivery of that material. While these changes are occurring at the macro level in terms of institutional strategic thinking and implementation of technology plans, the impact of these changes raises many questions at all levels. This paper is a summary of an interview survey to the Hong Kong stakeholders. The purpose is to collect their opinions about their experience and attitude in implementing online learning. A broad spectrum of ideas are discussed and reflected in this report. Based on the result of this research, a tentative model consisting of the essential elements contributing to the successful implementation of online learning technologies is developed.