Ethics in online learning & teaching
28 Jan 2022
Events & Webinars
About the panel on the ethics of online learning and teaching
Here is the recording from an online panel I was asked to speak on regarding the ethics of online teaching and learning. The panel was made up of myself (independent), Nicola Pallitt (Rhodes University), Allison Fullard (University of the Western Cape) and hosted by Vivienne Bozalek (University of the Western Cape).
I also work with Viv on Cristal Journal, an accredited academic journal publishing critical insights and knowledge about teaching and learning in the Global South.
This panel discussion was part of an online seminar hosted by the Postqualitative Research Collective (PQRC) in January 2022.
Viv Bozalek will lead a panel that explores the ethical dimensions of setting up an on-line course. With contributions from Romanos Boraine, Nicola Pallitt, Allison Fullard. This is a critical slot for our collaborative development of an on-line course.
Who is the Postqualitative Research Collective?
The collective (PQRC) is a group of experts in post-qualitative research in higher education from around the world. The collective has a wealth of experience in guiding and supporting colleagues, supervisors and postgraduate students in post-qualitative research. This network was created in response to the need to care for the more-than-human in the Anthropocene, the reconfiguration of the human in the digital age and the current push in the South to decolonise higher education.
The Chief Editor is Karin Murris (University of Oulu) whom I have worked with for numerous years through my creative digital agency. Karin is also a Gooner (die hard Arsenal fan) which makes our meetings all that much more entertaining!
My thoughts on ethics in online teaching and learning
To start off, I feel traditional universities are extremely unethical. I feel that knowledge is made harder to access when it should be the other way round. I feel universities and staff don't accommodate for our counties (South Africa) population. I feel its becoming harder to afford education as student fees are rising rapidly (the fees for the degree I have went up around 30% since 2018).
New innovations are allowing teachers and learners to communicate and share knowledge from all over the world. The online teaching sphere is going to grow rapidly. Online universities are already a thing, however they will adapt their model. Think how subscriptions changed the entertainment industry (think about Spotify, Netflix and Apple Music).
Fees will drop drastically when online universities can scale and accept tens of thousands of learners. The internet will also give international students more options to study abroad. I foresee an online universities teaching over a million graduates year, while at the same time charging less than $1000 per user. This makes an international standard of education available to many people who wouldn't have dreamed of going to university before.
Contact me to speak at your event!
I am available to speak at your online and in person events. Contact me via email to inquire about daily and weekly rates.
I also offer consulting services for individuals and brands looking to innovate their current business practices.
