Using theory of constraints in E-Learning for overcoming internal, external, cultural, and international constraints

Journal of the Academy of Business and Economics, March, 2005 by Myron Hatcher, Matthew Yen

ABSTRACT

E-learning is an international phenomenon. Effective delivery of E-Learning must overcome external, internal, and cultural constraints; the question is what constraints are critical? Theory of Constraints (TOC) is a systematic approach to identify critical constraints with a series of tools. These tools have improved the performance for numerous organizations in manufacturing industry and service industry. By clarifying intuition with these tools, such as: the cloud, the branch and the target tree, TOC has successfully been applied in education and e-learning. Cultural differences and international boundaries are easily included in the e-learning paradigm.

Keywords: Theory of Constraints, E-Learning, Education, Training, Cultural Differences, Conflict Resolution, Systems Approach

1. INTRODUCTION

Asynchronous E-Learning has caused an unprecedented paradigm shift in education. Students from all over the world can take the same section of the same course. Cultural differences can be included as value and the international nature of the business world can become integral to education. Students must learn how to think independently in such a highly autonomous learning environment where there is little face to face contact between students as well as faculty and student. TOC thinking and communication tools enable students to 'visualize' and share their own thought processes. Instructors will benefit by using these tools for course design and communications with students as well as course planning. This paper introduces the application of Theory of Constraints, TOC, tools in E-learning. Two specific examples are discussed for clarification; these are a junior or senior level Management Information Systems course and a structured programming course using Visual Basic with a programming lab component. These courses are taught in most universities throughout the world and are similar in format.

When designing e-learning courses, the traditional focus starts with technologies and deliveries. This way of designing E-Learning courses is a problem (1) and greater attention must be paid to the advantages offered by e-learning. The modus operandi of e-learning is far more complex than traditional classroom lectures or labs and allows for a new learning agenda. (2) It provides flexibility and allows asynchronous learning without regards to physical location of the learner. It melts down geographical boundaries and in some cases overcome the time barrier. This shift in economy of scale allows a multicultural, single culture, or international dimension to a class or curriculum, where students are drawn from many countries or for a specific culture located in many countries. E-Learning is of great value and enormous benefits for traditional education, none traditional education, and training. Simple, by overcoming the time and space barriers common to education it allows for a paradigm shift that has not been seen since the development of the printing press.

On the other hand, there are associated disadvantages and problems which need to be addressed. Even though individual students may find tremendous freedom with E-Learning, it can feel impersonal due to restricted interaction. The paradigm shift demands us to approach E-Learning with a different set of knowledge, attitude, belief, tools and behavioral expectations. It may also require a different set of educational outcome expectations.

TOC was developed to improve manufacturing productivity and management effectiveness in a 'loosely coupled' network environment. The concepts and tools developed can be applied to a 'loosely coupled' E-Learning environment. Three TOC thinking tools: the cloud, the branch and the target tree, have been applied to traditional educational issues. This paper examines the applications of these tools for the e-learning environment.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

E-learning is more than the application of internet and technologies; it allows modes of interaction and cooperation that have been developed with Group Decision Support Systems theory. Desanctis and Gallupe developed more complex and sophisticated Group Support Systems technologies. (3) Unless a holistic point of view is taken, e-learning is just another tool and not a paradigm shift. Besides technologies, other issues must be address such as behavior, habit, attitude and ethic. Unfortunately technology itself offers little helps in these areas. First instructors and students have to adapt to a new way of communicating and interacting where their culture and academic background are important and considered. It requires disciplines and time-management. Secondly, instructors and students are literally 'free' from traditional auditing practice and this lacking must be solved. The false sense of freedom may lead to degraded education and non-essential learning. The question of cheating is much more difficult to assess where a majority of the assignments are accomplished remotely.

To achieve competitive advantage a system must create a new demand with a new product. E-learning has this potential. The training and educational needs of corporation are expanding. This is occurring simultaneously with a redefinition of lifetime learning. Additionally, the definition of what is education and how one receives it is changing.