E-Learning
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E-learning is
an affordable (and often free) solution which provides the learners with the
ability to fit learning around their lifestyles, effectively allowing even the
busiest person to further a career and gain new qualifications. Traditional
learning is expensive, takes a long time and the results can vary. E-learning
offers an alternative that is faster, cheaper and potentially better.
The purpose
of e-learning is to allow people to learn for personal accomplishment or to
earn a professional degree, without physically attending a traditional university
or academic setting.
E-learning
can be applied for all levels of schooling from grade school to graduate
degrees, and is versatile enough to accommodate all learning styles.
There are a number of types of e-learning that depend on the amount of physical interaction. Entirely online e-learning occurs without any face-to face interaction. Course work and materials are distributed electronically through email, websites, online forums and/or CDs or DVD-ROMs. Combined learning uses a combination of Internet-directed instruction, as well as face-to-face interaction.
There are a number of types of e-learning that depend on the amount of physical interaction. Entirely online e-learning occurs without any face-to face interaction. Course work and materials are distributed electronically through email, websites, online forums and/or CDs or DVD-ROMs. Combined learning uses a combination of Internet-directed instruction, as well as face-to-face interaction.
Because the
only requirements for e-learning (in most cases) requires a computer with
Internet access or a CD/DVD-ROM drive, e-learning students can learn from home,
libraries, Internet cafes or any other location that has Internet access.
Another benefit to e-learning is that it is self-directed, meaning that the e-learner sets the pace of her learning. Unlike traditional methods of education, e-learning allows a student to pace her educational needs with her comfort level.
Another benefit to e-learning is that it is self-directed, meaning that the e-learner sets the pace of her learning. Unlike traditional methods of education, e-learning allows a student to pace her educational needs with her comfort level.
The most controversial
aspect of e-learning is for those who are seeking professional degrees. Some
online learning institutions may not meet the academic standards set forth by
private accreditation organizations. Accreditation standards are used to
confirm a learning institution’s academic quality.
E-learning
has also been praised as a lower-cost option for those seeking additional
education. Costs for individual classes and learning institutions vary
depending on location, degree or type of program, and area of study.
Credit : http://www.ehow.com/about_4788168_what-purpose-elearning.html
Credit : http://www.ehow.com/about_4788168_what-purpose-elearning.html
The Advantages and Disadvantages of eLearning
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Our final
blog in the series looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the most
popular approaches to learning such as In-House
training and public
scheduled training looks at eLearning. By reading all 3 of
these blogs you can hopefully get a really good idea of what is the best choice
of learning for you and your company.
E-Learning is
has boomed over recent years to become a very popular method of learning. In
the CIPD’s 2013 Learning and Talent Development Study, 74% of companies
reported using some level of e-learning with 91% of companies reporting it to
be very useful when combined with other methods and nearly ¾ of respondents
saying it is essential for learning. Clearly it cannot be ignored.
The Advantages of eLearning training includes:
·
More Flexible
– E-Learning can be done in short chunks of time that can fit around your daily
schedule. Unlike public scheduled and in-house training, you don’t have to
dedicate an entire day to the training that has been organised by your company.
Instead, you will have a set amount of learning, normally divided into modules,
with a deadline in which to do them in. This way, if you want to do all of the
learning in one day as you work better this way, you can. However if your
schedule doesn’t allow you an entire day off your everyday tasks – then you can
easily spend an hour or 2 here and there at times that suit you.
·
Mobile
– As eLearning can be done on laptops, tablets and phones – it is a very mobile
method. Learning can be done on the train, on a plane or any other time that
could normally be wasted. Whilst you used to be confined to the classroom, the
whole world can now be your classroom.
·
No Travel–
As just mentioned, eLearning can be done wherever you have a device capable of
doing so. Therefore again you can fit it in to your schedule, but also save
money on the costs of travel. As mentioned before on the public
scheduled blog, external courses can sometimes only be sourced in
locations far away from your company so you then have to pay the costs of
travel as well potentially accommodation. eLearning takes these costs away
completely.
·
Lower cost –
As you aren’t using a trainer’s time or any room or equipment, eLearning tends
to be the much cheaper option. If you already have a device capable of carrying
out the training on, then the savings can be considerable. Therefore if you and
your company are on a budget, this can be the ideal option for you.
Equally for companies that have thousands of employees then it can reduce the
cost per head especially on areas such as Money Laundering, Compliance and
Microsoft Office training.
·
Tailor it to you – eLearning courses aren’t confined to be fixed
to try and suit the needs of the majority. If you feel you already know a
particular area well and don’t need to spend an hour on it again, then you can
skim over it and concentrate that time on something you feel you need to work
more at. Everyone is able to learn at their own pace – a massive factor that
only eLearning can provide for.
·
Technological
Possibilities – eLearning is fast
becoming a more and more popular method and with it, so has the investment into
how to improve it further. The computer based nature of training means new
technology is being introduced all the time to help with the learning.
Different apps are helping to further reinforce the learning whilst forums can
be used to greatly increase the amount of interaction and engagement between
learners. This is only going to improve as time goes on as well.
·
Global – With
very few restrictions companies can be confident that their staff can receive
the same content regardless of their location, and in many cases, their
nationality. Therefore if you wish to provide the same training or have
your staff understand and use common methodology, eLearning is a useful way of
ensuring this happens with ease and reduced cost.
The Disadvantages of eLearning Training includes:
·
Lack of
Control– Learners with low motivation tend to
fall behind when using eLearning as there are no set times to be doing it and
they are responsible for the organisation themselves.
·
Learning
Approach – It
doesn’t appeal to all learning styles so some learners will not enjoy the
experience – especially strong activists and pragmatists.
·
Isolated
– A lot of questions are a lot easily answered when face to face with someone
when you can guarantee an instant answer. eLearning often doesn’t allow that
with trainers often having to answer numerous questions all of the time and
only doing it within working hours.
·
Technology
Issues – With heavy reliance on computers that
eLearning brings, comes the potential risks that comes with it.
·
Computer
Competency – Some employees might not be too
comfortable using computers, especially if their jobs don’t require them to.
Credit:
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E-learning is a generic term for all technologically supported learning using an array of teaching and learning tools as phone bridging, audio and videotapes, teleconferencing, satellite transmissions, and the more recognized web-based training or computer aided instruction also commonly referred to as online courses
Education is also affected by the rapid growth of
virtual worlds. Schools via the Internet into something possible. e-learning,
an alternative educational medium that knows no time and space. Development-based
learning e-learning needs to be carefully designed according to the desired
destination. If we agree that e-learning in it, too, including Internet-based
learning,
One thing that should be emphasized and understood
is that e-learning can not completely replace conventional learning activities
in class. However, e-Learning can be a partner or complementary with
conventional learning in the classroom. e-Learning is an independent
"basic thrust" of electronic learning activities, but this type of
learning activities still require adequate interaction in an effort to maintain
its quality
Best practices of online training
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Online learning can offer a wide range of benefits.
However, the knowledge that a student is able to acquire this way depends not
only on the course material that is offered, but also the practices used to
provide them with this information.
Blended learning is a combination of offline
(face-to-face, traditional learning) and online learning in a way that the one
compliments the other.
E-Learning, in comparison with traditional learning,
allows for easier access to online resources, databases, periodicals, journals
and other material you wouldn't normally have easy access to from a library.
As far as learners are concerned, a main advantage
of e-learning in customer service training is that participants can be
scheduled for training in a staggered fashion, and can also work at their own
pace.
You can reduce support costs, acquire new customers
and build loyalty in existing customers by offering them training online. Oftentimes
online courses are more user-friendly and much less cumbersome than reading a
manual or guide so online customer training courses certainly have the
advantage.
E-learning allows both students and business
executives to learn anywhere and at any time. Corporate education however adds
another dimension and depth to training by involving learners as participants
in generating new knowledge that assists an organization to develop and evolve.
Online learning brings important benefits to
healthcare professionals including the ability to receive training at any time,
from anywhere, on any device, and on the go - reducing lost time and less
productivity.
Overall, E-learning is very useful for our lives either in the present or in the future..
