The Developments and Issues of E-Learning
News Item:
Clark, Don “The Pros and Cons of E – Learning”. P. 2007 <http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/elearning/proscons.html>
Presentation of the Issue
E-Learning is trying to provide a more individualized, self-paced, self-directed learning experience (Clark). A survey by a Sociology Professor at CSU-Northridge showed that students in his virtual class performed 20% better than students in his traditional class (Clark). On the other hand, issues concerned with E-Learning includes the fact that students may not be as motivated since, another survey found out that only 66% of the students involved with E-Learning earned credit with a passing grade for their classes (Washington
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The IT Background of the Issue
Students can sign up for courses and choose a format of learning that suits them best; video, interactive tutorials, hyperlinked textbooks or face-to-face group sessions. (US NEWS) Quizzes are given occasionally to ensure that students are learning the material. There are four different types of E-Learning; Knowledge databases (step by step instructions, few explanations and questions), Online Support (Chat rooms, online bulletin boards, email or live messaging), Asynchronous training (Self paced learning based on CD’s, Networks, internet or the intranet) and Synchronous training (Internet using Real Time - communicate directly with the instructor) (Howstuffworks).
Television was one of the first medias that E-Learning was available by but since it was too expensive and the information was too dry, people started to lose interest (Lyon). Videotapes then evolved and were used in school classrooms (Lyon). When the Internet was invented, E-Learning used it to allow students to work with tutors from various places around the world. Students can work at their own pace thus giving them time to do other activities. Even though there is an issue with bandwidth, there are other optional types of media on the Internet, which uses less bandwidth than others.
The Global market for corporate E-Learning is expected to grow 27% annually (McGee) and it is also expected that
• Examine the inherent shortfalls in e-learning to students and the criticism levied against on-line education. Determine if these accusations have merit.
Learners can focus on elements of a programme they need to learn and can skip what they already know.
Current enrollees are the ones that continue to pay the bills (operating expenses), and enrolling new clientele helps increase profits thus assisting the financial CSF. Work-study Enterprise is looking to add online learning because it will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of it program (Cheawjindakarn, Suwannatthachote, & Theeraroungchaisri, 2012, p.61). This can be accomplished by hiring online tutors.
E-learning is considered as an alternative training option that provides a more hands-on, interactive approach to learning. Hence, E-learning promotes content in ways in which employees approach, understand and retain information (Trout, 2016). The format of E-learning will be to present information, test the trainees’ learning by having them respond to questions, and provide immediate feedback to the trainee on whether the response was correct.
However, advocates of classroom learning believe the online method isolates the students from one another as well as their professor minimizing the overall value of taking the course. They also claim that students learn better when working together with their instructor and their fellow classmates. Students learn better when they are given the opportunity to ask questions, join in class discussions, and they move the process of learning forward through their participation. Face-to-face advocates firmly believe that this kind of interaction is not possible over the Internet; and for many types of education, e-learning will never meet the potential of live human interaction in the classroom. An article in the New York Times titled, “Second Thoughts on Online Education,” backs up the points made above. A recent research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, comes to the conclusion; “A rush to online education
Education has undergone significant changes because of the development of information and communication technology over the 21st century (Lin & Jou, 2012:2). As a convenient and inexpensive way to gain knowledge while pursuing higher education, online learning, a form of training or teaching that takes place over the Internet, has been considered as an alternative to traditional classroom learning (Zhang et al, 2004). This essay will argue that even though online learning has benefit such as flexibility which could outweigh traditional learning, traditional classroom learning might still not be entirely replaced. This essay will discuss positive and negative aspects of online and traditional learning in terms of four criteria:
The Education –Paradigm dines e-learing as a new way of learning or as an improvement on an existing education paradigm most of the authors using this definition works for the education system. The definition that they would use would be “E-learning is defined as information and communication technologies used to support students to improve their learning. According to our text e-learning has been defined by the Instructional Technology Council as “the process of extending learning or delivering instructional materials to remote sites via the internet,
From carving in bone and shells to the invention of paper, from printing on papers to publishing books on the Internet, the bases for writing have been changed for many centuries. Likewise, since the late 20th century, the teaching methods have also evolved from using only texts, images, and sound to multimedia. Nowadays, a new technology named electronic textbook (e-textbook), a digital form of textbook including color images, videos, and other functions, starts to play an important role in class teaching. In 2012, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Federal Communications Commission chief Julius Genachowski announce a plan to get all U.S. students, from kindergarten through the
Over the last decades, it is generally realized that the educational technology has developed dramatically. Electronic media has benefitted the system of education in an enormous way. Electronic media is the media which uses electronics or electromechanical energy for the audience to access the content. Video recording, audio recording, multimedia presentations, CD-ROM and online content are all forms of electronic media and any equipment used in electronic communication process such as radio, television, desktop computers, laptops, electronic whiteboards, and electronic textbooks is also considered as electronic media. Education has become far more convenient as internet and social
the different assets that can be integrated into the LMS. The committee must also decide if the material will be delivered to the students synchronously, asynchronously, or as a combination of the two. Synchronous learning environments support learning and teaching and offer students and teachers with multiple ways of interacting, sharing, and the ability to collaborate and ask questions in real-time through synchronous learning technologies. Examples of synchronous online technology types include videoconferencing, webcasts, interactive learning models, and telephone conferences (Er et al., 2009; eLearners.com, 2012). In an asynchronous learning environment students are able to actively participate in their own learning, giving them the opportunity to interact with their peers, provide peer feedback, and reflect on the status of their personal learning goals and outcomes (Harris et al., 2009; Simonson et al., 2012). Asynchronous technologies support learning and allow more time for student reflection, collaboration, and student-to-student interactions (Skylar, 2009; Meloni, 2010). According to Meloni (2010) asynchronous communication and learning is by far the more popular learning type because many of the learning tools are free, require minimal hardware, and are used at the student’s pace. Recent research into the usage and efficacy of synchronous tools has indicated that these
Virtual community is what we are becoming nowadays. As most people tend to go for online more instead of communicating through face to face learning. if students are asked why they chose to take an online class instead of face to face learning the most diffuse answer would probably be that the primary reason for online learning is that it serve the students that are unable to attend school. ” the number of students that enrolled in at least one online course is projected to increase by 19.8 present from 2002 to 2003 or total of 1.9 million students” by (Allen and Seaman, 2003). Students need to consider the difference between online learning and face to face learning before deciding which form of instruction to take. Face
offers an alternative that is faster, cheaper and potentially better. The term “e-learning” has only been in existence since 1999, when the word was first utilized at CBT systems
E-learning has many advantages that make it suitable for the information-age education system. The main advantage is that it puts the learner in the centre of the equation instead of the teacher, trainer or instructor. Others are:
E-Learning involves teaching and learning methods that are facilitated and supported by the use of technology. E-Learning includes having access to teaching and learning activities and resources online; Multimedia and communication tools; classroom technologies like personal response systems and online assessment (Alman, & Lincoln, 2012). E-learning has many benefits that include the increased chances for dialogue offered to the students and teachers. These advantages help in enhancing the learning experience.
It also includes the delivery of content via Internet, intranet/extranet (LAN/WAN), audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, podcast, interactive TV, CD-ROM, and more. E-learning programs are endowed with a training system, which employees can access, where face-to-face instruction is not possible because the very nature is that it is borderless and potentially global in scope. With e-learning methods, training can take place on-demand, and trainees can be given greater control over their learning than ever before (Rosenberg 2001). This increased control has the potential to improve training effectiveness. E-learning courses add value to traditional learning modes by offering self-paced or live, instructed training classes. Specifically, self-paced courses can be taken at the employee's leisure and are good for self-motivated persons. Typically these types of courses can be taken at convenience of the busy workers as well as for globally dispersed employees. Hence workplace training needs to be broadened and customized (Marc J. Rosenberg & Steven Foreman 2010). Live e-learning is capable of instant updating, storage/retrieval, distribution and sharing of instruction and information. Soft skills such as management, leadership, or team building can be tackled in this environment. However, this type of training works best if the class size is limited to 25