Making Sense of e-Learning and Simulations: The Misunderstood Perceptions

Abstract

e-Learning and simulation technologies at the only defence university in Malaysia is almost non-existent with the exception of one academic programme. Nonetheless, when other public universities in the country are busy investing in new technologies, the National Defence University of Malaysia (NDUM) started to feel the pressure. Although the pressure does not mean that it has to jump into the bandwagon, there is something about e-learning and simulations that could provide students with the autonomy in learning. This paper attempts to examine the perceptions of young academics at the NDUM about new technologies as one tool for teaching and learning. Data were gathered from 10 young academics who joined the university between June 2007 to June 2008. They were interviewed about the potential and problems of using e-learning and simulations in the process of teaching and learning, all based on their knowledge and experiences. The findings show that the perceptions of young academics at the university about digital technologies are almost unconstructive. Apart from not being able to see the use of e- learning and simulations at the university, their lack of understanding of what these technologies are all about is one main contributing factor. This suggests that the NDUM must resolve the issues of acceptance of digital technologies by making sure that the roles and responsibilities of the academics will in actual fact be further enhanced by the adoption of technology.