Understanding E-Learning
In
this era of globalization, teaching and learning would be done by many
various ways, including E-learning that makes times and spaces are no
longer a problem. then, what is E-learning? Understanding E-Learning is
simple. E-Learning is learning utilizing
electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a
traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course, program or
degree delivered completely online.
Did you know that almost everyone who uses a computer has completed some
type of e-learning? Perhaps it was called web-based training, or online
learning, or computer-based training, but it’s all under the same
e-learning umbrella. E-learning can encompass a wide variety of online
initiatives. So a good, broad way to think about e-learning is as the
use of electronic media (computers, tablets, or phones) to educate or
train learners.
According to expert, E-learning is the delivery of a learning, training or education program by electronic
means. E-learning involves the use of a computer or electronic device
(e.g. a mobile phone) in some way to provide training, educational or
learning material. (Derek Stockley 2003).
There are many terms used to describe learning that is delivered online,
via the internet, ranging from Distance Education, to computerized
electronic learning, online learning, internet learning and many others. E-Learning can be define as courses that are specifically delivered via the
internet to somewhere other than the classroom where the professor is
teaching. It is not a course delivered via a DVD or CD-ROM, video tape
or over a television channel. It is interactive in that you can also
communicate with your teachers, professors or other students in your
class. Sometimes it is delivered live, where you can “electronically”
raise your hand and interact in real time and sometimes it is a lecture
that has been prerecorded. There is always a teacher or professor
interacting /communicating with you and grading your participation, your
assignments and your tests.
What’s the Value of E-Learning?
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has a global reach: E-learning can simply be placed
online and easily accessed by people around the world. There is no need
for expensive travel or meetings across multiple time zones.
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spans multiple devices/mobile: Online courses can
work on computers as well as on mobile devices, such as smartphones and
tablets. This means e-learning courses can literally be in the hands of
the people who need them, at all times.
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is just-in-time/needs-based: It’s possible to
create, publish, and share a course within a few hours. The software is
so easy to use that almost anyone can create engaging courses.
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reduces costs: All of the above-mentioned factors
result in a cost savings for organizations that use e-learning courses
to replace some of their traditional instructor-led training.
As the world becomes more connected and globalized, more people have
consistent access to the internet, computers, smartphones, and other
technological devices. When we provide people with learning
opportunities on these devices, they can use them to access timely
resources and training while on the job.
The value of e-learning is that it can save time and money. It can
often be more efficient to develop one course that can be distributed
electronically and consistently to thousands, versus one that’s
delivered in person to training groups, where the message, equipment,
and other conditions can vary enough to affect the outcome of the
course.
Benefits of E-Learning
Those of us who are actively involved in the e-learning are well aware of the advantages e-learning can provide to an organization, and to the individual, and in the past year or so, these advantages are becoming recognized among the general public.
The flexible nature of e-learning means that we are likely to
encounter it in everyday life. Some people seek it out in for additional
learning opportunities, and for career advancement. While others may
accidentally stumble upon it when watching a short training on their
smartphone about their latest application.
Simply put, e-learning is everywhere, and it certainly comes with some pretty awesome advantages – such as:
1. Scalable – E-learning enables us to quickly create
and communicate new policies, training, ideas, and concepts. Be it for
entertainment or formal education, e-learning is nimble!
2. Capacity and Consistency – Using e-learning allows
educators to achieve a great degree of coverage for their target
audience, and it ensures that the message is communicated in a
consistent fashion. This results in all learners receiving the same
training.
3. High Learning Retention – Blended learning
approaches result in a higher knowledge retention rate. It also helps
that coursework can be refreshed and updated whenever needed.
4. Time and Money Savings – This one is pretty well
known, and a staple of any well-done e-learning program. E-learning
reduces time away from the workplace, eliminates the need for travel,
and removes the need for classroom-based training.
5. Activity and ROI Measurements – If you are using a learning management system to deliver your e-learning, then tracking learner progress is a piece-of-cake, and reporting on this activity is just as simple.
6. Reduction of the Carbon Footprint – By leveraging
e-learning for online testing and quizzing, the need for printing out
paper-based assessments is reduced, in fact it’s practically eliminated
altogether!
7. Flexible – Using e-learning, you can give
employees and students the freedom to learn at their own convenience,
and at a pace that is right for them. Staff can be trained in remote
locations and in a consistent fashion as anyone receiving on-site
training.
