As we entered the 21st century we realised the
introduction of the computer and how it can be used on the Internet. Before long we had mobile phones which were
developed into smart-phones which are still being developed to suit the 22nd
Century. Developments in Internet and multimedia technologies are the basic
enabler of e-learning, with consulting, content, technologies, services and
support being identified as the five key sectors of the e-learning industry.
Our intensive research has provided these facts - E-learning expenditures
differ within and between countries. Finland, Norway, Belgium and Korea appear
to have comparatively effective programs.
E-learning refers to the use of electronic media and
information and communication technologies (ICT) in education. E-learning is
broadly inclusive of all forms of educational technology in learning and
teaching. E-learning is inclusive of, and is broadly synonymous with multimedia
learning, technology-enhanced learning (TEL), computer-based instruction (CBI),
computer-based training (CBT), computer-assisted instruction or computer-aided
instruction (CAI), Internet-based training (IBT), web-based training (WBT),
online education, virtual education, virtual learning environments (VLE) (which
are also called learning platforms), m-learning, and digital educational
collaboration. These alternative names emphasize a particular aspect, component
or delivery method.
E-learning includes all learning that is delivered, enabled
or mediated using electronic technology within organisations. You’ll find here
information on blended learning, online learning, web-based training,
computer-based training and other learning technologies.
E-learning includes numerous types of media that deliver
text, audio, images, animation, and streaming video, and includes technology
applications and processes such as audio or video tape, satellite TV, CD-ROM,
and computer-based learning, as well as local intranet/extranet and web-based
learning. Information and communication systems, whether free-standing or based
on either local networks or the Internet in networked learning, underlay many
e-learning processes.
E-learning can occur in or out of the classroom. It can be
self-paced, asynchronous learning or may be instructor-led, synchronous
learning. E-learning is suited to distance learning and flexible learning, but
it can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching, in which case
the term blended learning is commonly used.
It is commonly thought that
new technologies make a big difference in education. Many proponents of e-learning believe
that everyone must be equipped with basic knowledge of technology, as well as
use it as a vehicle for reaching educational goals.
E-learning refers to the use of technology in learning and
education. There are several aspects to describing the intellectual and
technical development of e-learning, which can be categorised into discrete
areas. These are addressed in turn in the sections of this article:
- e-learning as an educational approach or tool that supports traditional subjects;
- e-learning as a technological medium that assists in the communication of knowledge, and its development and exchange;
- e-learning itself as an educational subject; such courses may be called "Computer Studies" or "Information Communication and Technology (ICT)";
- e-learning administrative tools such as education management information systems (EMIS).
One of the impacts of the credit
crunch has been a fresh look at the potential of e-learning. We decided to take
a look at some of the research and examine the benefits of e-learning,
including evidence of:
- Lower costs
- Faster delivery
- More effective learning
- Lower environmental impact
- It's less expensive to produce -- Using strategy, structure, authoring software to produce your own asynchronous training programs, e-training is virtually free once you reach the break-even point. Synchronous programs will have continued costs associated with the instructor managing the class, but will still be lower than traditional courses.
- It's self-paced -- Most e-learning programs can be taken when needed. The "books" that you set up using a carefully planned approach create a module-based design allowing the learner to go through smaller chunks of training that can be used and absorbed for a while before moving on.
- It moves faster -- Training and Development illustrates e-learning courses progress up to 50 percent faster than traditional courses. This is partly because the individualised approach allows learners to skip material they already know and understand and move onto the issues they need training on.
- It provides a consistent message -- E-learning eliminates the problems associated with different instructors teaching slightly different material on the same subject. For company-based training, this is often critical.
- It can work from any location and any time - -E-learners can go through training sessions from anywhere, usually at anytime. This Just-In-Time (JIT) benefit can make learning possible for people who never would have been able to work it into their schedules prior to the development of e-learning. (If you manage a corporate learning program, however, be careful about requesting that workers learn on their own time from home.)
- It can be updated easily and quickly -- Online e-learning sessions are especially easy to keep up-to-date because the updated materials are simply uploaded to a server. CD-ROM-based programs may be slightly more expensive to update and distribute, but still come out cheaper than reprinting manuals and retraining instructors.
- It can lead to increased retention and a stronger grasp on the subject -- This is because of the many elements that are combined in e-learning to reinforce the message, such as video, audio, quizzes, interaction, etc. There is also the ability to revisit or replay sections of the training that might not have been clear the first time around. Try that in a crowded auditorium!
- It can be easily managed for large groups of students -- Manager allows corporate training directors, HR managers and others to keep track of the course offerings schedule or assign training for employees and track their progress and results. Managers can review a student's scores and identify any areas that need additional training.
There are many advantages to
e-learning, and even the potential disadvantages (i.e. boring text-based courses,
technophobia, and loneliness) can be alleviated with a properly designed courses.
There are no travel costs for bringing remote employees to a centralised
workshop because the Web is available from all desktops. According to some
analysts, the actual time required for training by computer averages about 50%
to that of instructor-led training, further saving money. Although there are
disadvantages to e-learning my opinion is our future lies in technology and the
introduction to electronic-learning and understanding your personal
concentration levels. That is certainly another topic that we have to discuss in
the near future benefit of our comprehensive understanding.
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