Revisiting the application of PESTEL factors to e-learning

What is it about?

The aim of this paper is primarily to revisit the application of PESTE (Political, Economic, Social, Technical, Environmental) factors in 2007, now PESTEL including Legal factors, to educational software and e-learning, and observe what has happened over the last ten years. In addition, to consider the influence of educational innovations such as: MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and Flipped Learning.

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Why is it important?

The findings from the 2007 paper still stand; so after evaluating the application of e-learning using PESTEL factors, it is now suggested that e-learning’s PESTEL factors should stand for Pedagogical, Educational, Social, Technical, (Educationally) Environmental and Legal. The paper led to the observation that what is missing most from e-learning are the (human) attributes of a good tutor. A small survey was carried out with undergraduate and postgraduate students, asking them to list the four attributes of a good tutor. According to staff and students, common thematic attributes of a good tutor are invariably stated as 4Es, given below: • Expertise – extensive knowledge of the subject area • Exposition – the ability to explain (deliver) • Enthusiasm – for the subject and teaching it • Empathy – with the students and their learning experiences These are the 4Es of Value Added Learning (VAL). If the ideal human teacher is to be electronically or virtually replicated, then, for most learners who are not in the minority of independent learners, any VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) or its ilk must embody these attributes. The problem is, of course, that these attributes are fundamentally social and human (and therefore intelligent and agile), and require time to be developed. It is questionable if the latter 2Es can ever be embodied by technology. However, there must be at least a fundamental shift from web-enabled database systems to more intuitive knowledge-based systems. TEL (Technology Enhanced Learning) has its place, for instance, exploiting the infinite patience of computers (software), multi-modal delivery (supporting people with impairments), or where distance (remoteness) or time (synchronicity) is unavoidable. However, just because you can do something (use technology) does not mean you should, especially if the only or major motivation is financial.

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