eLearning in Thailand - a survey of social and cultural issues

After centuries of little change, the role of the Guru or a teacher as it has been traditionally defined and practiced in Asia is on the verge of becoming an anachronism. Now it is Google, not the Guru who has all answers to the questions of life and learning. New and emerging eLearning and mLearning technologies are harnessing the power of Internet at a very fast pace. eLearning is bringing dramatic changes in the educational landscape and is transforming the breadth, depth and quality of learning in Thai institutions. The learner-centricity is becoming a key facet in the rapid growth in the number of new learning organizations, learning management systems, eLearning tools, technologies and services in Thailand. This paper reflects on the old educational practices and current trends in eLearning in Thai institutions, particularly the universities and examines the growth of new and emerging technologies that will provide profound and exciting learning opportunities for the students in Thailand and rest of the South East Asia.