eLearning - Introduction and Planning

8/14/2019 eLearning - Introduction and Planning

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eLearning: Introduction and Planning - 1 -

eLearning

Introduction and Planning

Written By,

Tushar B Kute,Lecturer in Information Technology

(K. K. Wagh Polytechnic, Nashik 3, Maharashtra, INDIA)Email [email protected]


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Abstract

Electronic learning or E Learning is a general term used to refer tocomputer-enhanced learning. It is used interchangeably in so many contexts thatit is critical to be clear what one means when one speaks of 'E Learning'. In

many respects, it is commonly associated with the field of Advanced LearningTechnology (ALT), which deals with both the technologies and associatedmethodologies in learning using networked and/or multimedia technologies.

Classrooms are boring. Today students feel school is not challenging orinteractive enough. It has been said that there are two reasons why we learn;some leaning is essentially forced on us while the other is what we sit back andenjoy. E-Learning has brought back the joy in learning through its innovative andinteractive content and delivery.


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1. Introduction

The old correspondence courses were the first Distance Learning coursesbut with the advent of Internet in the eighties, E Learning became new mantrafor delivering higher education courses over really long distances.

The Internet opened new possibilities and now any type of learningcontent, be it for school, graduate or masters level, employee training, researchactivity or any other type of academic offering is called E Learning.

E Learning has already established its credentials and its popularity canbe gauged from the fact that delivery is not restricted to just plain text but hascrossed boundaries to video creating virtual class rooms via video conferencing.The introduction of a variety of technologies has made it possible to convert itfrom impersonal to highly interactive medium of pedagogy (the art and science ofteaching).Training in key business and professional skills in todays competitiveenvironment cannot be ignored if you want your employees to develop and helpdrive the growth of your company.

The worldwide E Learning industry is estimated to be worth over 38billion euros according to conservative estimates; although in the EuropeanUnion only about 20% of E Learning products are produced within the commonmarket. Developments in internet and multimedia technologies are the basicenabler of E Learning, with content, technologies and services being identifiedas the three key sectors of the E Learning industry.

2. Goals of E LearningE Learning lessons are generally designed to guide students through

information or to help students perform in specific tasks. Information based e-Learning content communicates information to the student. Examples includecontent that distributes the history or facts related to a service, company, orproduct. In information-based content, there is no specific skill to be learned. Inperformance-based content, the lessons build off of a procedural skill in which thestudent is expected to increase proficiency.

3. The FutureAccording to Market Data Retrieval (MDR) two thirds of colleges and

universities offer long distance learning courses and the number of institutionsoffering accredited degrees have increased to 55%. New varieties of E Learning have emerged with help and push from emerging technologies. Besides

distance learning now there is distributed learning. This term describes theeducational experiences of individuals and groups that are distributed overgeographies and cultures using variety of media delivery methods. This hasmoved education beyond the classroom to more interactive information by joininglearning and experience together. This is developing into learning communitieswith their own focus on various branches, cultures and sub-cultures. It is a mindboggling explosion of information that is now available with lot of imagination andlittle effort. With collaborative tools E Learning is moving into virtual classes andvirtual communities where the old methods of practice and test have melted intonew interactive teaching-learning methodologies.

Tuition on line has taken a new meaning where a varied help is now

available both free and paid for on demand on any subject instantly. This hasrelieved pressure both on the teacher and the students. Future learning is now


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focusing on learning beyond the classroom and curriculum. Companies need toupgrade employees by offering re-training programmes. These are both costlyand time consuming. By designing these programmes and content via E Learning methods both time and money are saved. The innovative method is alsoself promoting as it increases the curiosity level of individuals for self promotion

and career enhancements.In the technical field too doctors and other professionals are getting a fair

chance for keeping abreast of developments and discoveries and evenparticipation in these activities through interactive delivery processes. Lookingfurther, this being the global market era, the consumer is being made aware ofimmense openings, opportunities and bargains through this method. Medicaltourism is one recent example of e-Learning where serious information and funhave been mixed for delivery of marketing content.

4. E Learning toolsE Learning is a concept of learning electronically using the internet. This

type of learning is particularly successful for higher studies or corporations. Thereare many tools used in the E Learning procedure. They are:

Web BlogA blog short for web log, is a user-generated website where entries are

made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order. The term"blog" is a mingling of the words web and log. Blogs provide comments or newson a particular subject, some function as more personal online diaries. Themodern blog evolved from the online diary, where people would keep a runningaccount of their personal lives. Most such writers called themselves diarists,journalists. Blogs can be hosted by dedicated blog hosting services, or they canbe run using blog software, such as WordPress, Movable Type, blogger orLiveJournal, or on regular web hosting services, such as DreamHost.Social book-marking

Social book-marking is a web-based service to share Internet bookmarks.The Social book-marking sites are a popular way to store, classify, share andsearch links through the practice of folksonomies techniques on the Internet.

In a social book-marking system, users store lists of Internet resourcesthat they find useful. These lists are accessible to the public or a specific network,and other people with similar interests can view the links by category, tags, oreven randomly. Some allow for privacy on a per-bookmark basis.

WikiA wiki is a website that allows visitors to add, remove, edit and change

content, without the need for registration. It also allows for linking among anynumber of pages. This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki aneffective tool for mass collaborative authoring.

A wiki enables documents to be written very collaboratively, in a simplemarkup language using a web browser. A single page in a wiki is referred to as awiki page, whiles the entire body of pages, which are usually highlyinterconnected via hyperlinks, and is "the wiki". A wiki is an uncomplicated, easy-to-use user-maintained database for creating, browsing and searching

information. In a wiki pages can be created and updated easily.


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New values: In the old days, corporate value and value creation weredefined principally through material and financial assets. Nowadays a premium isput on intellectual capital. To retain their competitive edge, organizations havestarted to investigate which training techniques and delivery methods enhancemotivation, performance, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to life-long

learning.

New technologies: The life of knowledge and human skills today isshorter than ever, mounting the pressure to remain up to date with oneseducation and training throughout a career. In the age of globalization andtechnological revolution, four-year degrees are just the start of a forty-yearcontinuing education. Life-long learning is quickly becoming an imperative intodays world.

Competitive Edge Corporations: view learning as a competitive weaponrather than a bothersome cost factor. Business success depends increasingly on

top-quality employee performance, which in turn requires top-quality training.Corporate executives now understand that developing employee skills is the keyto creating a sustainable competitive lead.

Cost Effective: In the run to remain competitive in todays labor-tightmarket, companies are exploiting advances in technology to train employeesrapidly, effectively, and at less expense.

Globalization: As trade borders become less significant, globalcompetition intensifies. International expansion has led to larger and morecomplex corporations. Todays businesses have more locations in differentcountries and employ larger numbers of workers with diverse backgrounds andeducational levels.

Abundance of information: More information has to be delivered inincreasingly bigger organizations, testing internal planning, logistics, anddistribution. Corporations worldwide are now in search of more innovative andcompetent ways to deliver training to their geographically dispersed workforce.

6. Types of E Learning

There are fundamentally two types of e-learning: synchronous training andasynchronous training.Synchronous, means "at the same time," involves interaction of participants withan instructor via the Web in real time.

Asynchronous, which means "not at the same time," allows the participant tocomplete the WBT at his own pace, without live interaction with the instructor. Anew form of learning known as blended learning is emerging. As the namesuggests it is an amalgamation of synchronous and asynchronous learningmethods.

Asynchronous Methods


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Embedded learning: Embedded learning is information that is accessible on aself-help basis, 24/7. It can be delivered to the place of work, or to mobilelearners. Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS) is a type of embeddedlearning. The advantage is that embedded learning offers learners theinformation they need whenever they need it.

Courses: The clear advantage of a self-paced course is convenience.Participants can get the training they need at any time. This can include just-in-time training where a participant gets exactly the training he or she needs toperform a task.

Discussion groups: A discussion group is a gathering of conversations thatoccur over time. They are also called message boards, bulletin boards anddiscussion forums. Discussion groups can be used to support a group ofparticipants taking the same class or can be used to support participantsperforming related tasks. A discussion group is a very competent way to supply

expert answers to a large group people. A single answer to a common questioncan help many.

Synchronous Methods

Virtual classroom: Virtual classroom duplicates the features of a real classroomonline. Participants interact with each other and instructors online .instantmessaging, chat, audio and video conferencing etc.Blended Method: Most companies prefer to use a mix of both synchronous andasynchronous e-learning methods according to their requirement.

7. Effective E learning

E-learning consumers expect programs that include the same inventivetools and techniques used in the computer gaming industry (like graphics,interface, and skill-building challenges) to deliver a learning experience that'sgripping, informative, and fun. Games have a lot to teach us about creatingeffective learning. One must use the rules and parameters of authentic situationsto test the learner in actual tasks in virtual situations. Give the learner "gamesituations" in which the learner must apply specific knowledge to a specificsituation. The learning content should be designed with a lucid story line and

interactive drills that are appealing and relevant to course aims. Ideally, acomputer game and game based e-learning experiences should leave theparticipant free to make choices that directly impact the conclusion of the storyline.

For instance, an E Learning program might establish the following set-up--Your Company is at a turning point, and you must choose a strategy that willhelp distinguish it in the marketplace. The strategy you choose will recommendthe investments you need, the employees you hire, and the clientele you pursue.As events unfurl, you may alter your strategy, suffer the penalty of poordecisions, and reap the rewards of good decisions. Despite the result, the storyline provides familiar frames of reference for all players and can make possible

individual or group learning at any scale.


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Another important factor is to offer the same learning without the gameformat to anyone who wants it, so that no one is obligated to play a game they donot like. If trainees can switch in and out of the game format at will and stillcontinue the learning path, many will start with the game and later switch out,while some will start without the game, investigating it only after they get jaded

with the non-game learning approach.

BenefitsResearch shows that people learn better when they are comfortable and

having fun. Excellent teachers, all through the ages have known this and usedfun, play and games as part of their teaching strategies. It is possible to teach notonly facts, but judgment, logic, behavior, skills, safety, ethics, etc. through well-designed games.

The key is to coalesce the engagement power of games with the contentwe want people to know at the conclusion - designing games which are fun, butunlike many commercial games, not frivolous.

Making something enjoyable does not make it frivolous, and can make itmuch more memorable. Bankers Trust uses a Doom-style game (with theaggression removed) for policy training. PricewaterhouseCoopers uses a gamefor tricky and serious product training. The Boston Consulting Group uses agame to connect clients in the business development process. Games are part ofimportant medical and legal training. . Gaming develops temperament of play,flexible attitudes and innovative thoughts. Today the importance of games inteaching is well realized and respected in the E Learning industry.

E benefits in CorporationsE Learning is very effective in industries such as financial services,

entertainment, health care, government, and education. E Learning providescommunication, delivery of information, and efficiency of business practiceswhich have tremendous and long-term benefits.

E-learning can be a highly-effective delivery mechanism for trainingcourses, where:

There are a number of students spread over a large geographical area.

Qualification is global in nature.

A corporate client requires confidential discussion among learners.

Managers want to track (and record) effectively the progress of individuallearners.

It is cost and time saving.

E-learning helps in optimizingE Learning is great for optimizing.

Optimizing sales channel Increase in tempo of sales force development.Getting channel partners up to speed on new products, learning to sellsolutions instead products.

Optimizing customer relationships helping and educating customers tolearn and teaching them how to use products.

Optimizing the workforce learning new business models, up gradation,instant product information, learning new techniques and bettercommunication.


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Optimization of learning- You can use the same software for 10 people aswell as for 1000 people. It can be customized and paced according to thelearners need.

Effective Corporate E Learning Program or LMS

LMS or learning management systems is a software package that enablesthe management delivery of online content to learners. There are many corporateLMS, but an effective LMS must incorporate features such as

Auto enrollment of learners in courses according to predefined criteria,such as job title or work location.

Manager enrollment and approval

Boolean definitions for prerequisites or equivalencies

Integration of performance tracking and management systems

Planning tools to identify skill gaps at departmental and individual level

Curriculum, required and elective training requirements at an individualand organizational level

Assigning and grouping learners according to geographic region, productline, business size.

Assign corporate and partner employees to more than one job title at morethan one demographic unitIf a corporate wants to succeed in todays rat race it will need an army of

well-informed, sharp and educated workers. To create this army the best andmost cost effective and time saving tool is E Learning. In the era of information,learning is the ultimate survival tool. So to make your workers proficient achieversE Learning is the only solution.

8. Accrediting Organizations for E LearningThe evolution of the Internet and other technologies has led to incredible

growth in opportunities to teach and learn, away from the traditional classrooms.The Internet has brought E- learning that offers many advantages: it isconvenient, accessible at any time and can be used from nearly anywhere in theworld. E- Learning created a number of programs and platforms, but only a fewhave gained accreditation. The importance of Accreditation is that it sets certainstandards by which students, professionals, government bodies, and the generalpublic know that a program or institution provides a quality education. The fourmain accreditations are AICC, IEEE, ADL and IMS Global Consortium.

AICCThe Aviation Industry CBT (Computer-Based Training) Committee AICC,

is an international organization that trains technology-based professionals. TheAICC develops guidelines for aviation industry in the development, delivery, andevaluation of Computer-Based Training and web based training technologies9WBT). AICC has developed guidelines to enable interoperability and provide anopen forum for the discussion of CBT and WBT other technologies. Thesetechnologies are the basis for many e-learning programs. Its computer-managedinstruction (CMI) guidelines have had a great influence on shaping e-learning.

IEEE


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Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), is an internationalorganization that develops technical standards and recommendations forelectrical, electronic, computer and communication systems. The LearningTechnology Standards Committee (LTSC) of IEEE provides specifications thataddress best practices. The most widely accepted is the specification of the

Learning Object Metadata (LOM). LOM defines element groups and elementsthat describe learning resources.

ADLAdvanced Distributed Learning (ADL) initiative was formed as a developer

and implementer of learning technologies across the Department of Defense(DoD). ADL encourages the implementation and advancement of E Learning, todevelop the standards, tools and learning content for the learning environment ofthe future. The most widely established ADL publication is the ADL ShareableContent Object Reference Model (SCORM).

IMS Global ConsortiumIMS GLC is a global, nonprofit, association that provides in the shaping

and growing of learning and educational technology industries throughcollaborative support of standards, innovation, best practice and recognition ofsuperior learning impact. IMS GLC focuses on the use of metadata to addresscontent packaging; this is used to define how an LMS communicates with back-end applications and content objects. Since it is a non-profit organization many ofits standards are made available on its website at no fee.

9. Converting to E LearningWhen moving to e learning, you must judge how to adapt classroom

material to successful e learning experiences. Assets such as: slides, lectures,handouts, exercises, and motivational stories must be converted. Convertingresources online can be challenging. Some conversion may involve simplyswitching to a file format; others may call for you to reconstruct the asset in acompletely new form.

Tools to Convert AssetsTo decide which tools to use when, start at a common beginning: judge

your training objectives, including what degree of performance you're looking forand how you'll evaluate achievement. Always select a delivery technique that will

allow you to evaluate the achievement of the objectives. If you cannot evaluateperformance with a particular delivery technique, then it's the wrong one for you.

VideoThe easiest way to convert lectures is to videotape the trainer, digitize and

compress the film, and post the clip onto a streaming-media server. This methodis suited to very simple learning needs.

AudioAudio has some advantages over full video. High-quality audio files are

smaller and need less bandwidth than even poor-quality video. Try out with

various settings to produce a file that the trainee can download and play easily.


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Inserting the sound into a multimedia program, like Macromedia Flash, will takecare of the compression.

SlidesSlide presentations have been the support of most training classes. Before

altering classroom slide presentations for use in an online lesson, assess thecomplexity of slides, such as animation, transition, sounds, and other specialeffects. If youre using PowerPoint slides, the simplest solution is to use the Saveas HTML command. This selection creates a linked series of Web pagesanalogous to the slides and lets developers target certain browsers. You maywant to add features. For example, to include voice narration, use the RecordNarration command.Handouts

Courses normally use handouts, textbooks, and assign library readings. Allreading can be converted to electronic form. Adobe Acrobat PDF permits users to

distribute copies of any document that can be printed. Creating PDF documentsnecessitate Acrobat publishing software, and trainee must have the free AcrobatReader program. Acrobat documents can be simple imitations of their paperequivalent, or you can add hypertext links, thumbnail images of pages, sounds,and other multimedia.

InteractionThis includes Tests. Macromedia Authorware and CourseBuilder for

Macromedia Dreamweaver offer regular test templates, including true-or-false,multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and text entry.

Practice exercisesMany courses include laboratory sessions or other practical activities.

Remember that online versions need to exercise the decision-making processesrather than imitate the classroom activity. This kind of activity needs notechnology other than plain HTML and a Web browser.

Simulated tasksSometimes it's too complex or expensive to have trainee interact with the

actual system. Essentially, a fundamental simulator is a linked series of imagemaps of the various dialog boxes. Correctly performing a step, such as clicking

on a tab or button, displays the next panel or dialog box in the procedure.Simulation uses Dynamic HTML and JavaScript programming. Tools asMacromedia Director, Authorware, and Flash help developers to build excellentinteraction by automatic scripting.Discussion forums

The majority of Internet server packages include a component to sustaindiscussion groups, and similar software is often included in browsers or emailreaders.

New software programs have made life much easier for developers andfacilitators of e learning! Interactive exercises, testing, collaboration, and contentdevelopment are significantly simplified. What used to take days/weeks can now

be done more quickly - with modest or no coding/programming skills required.


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10. Indian angle of E Learning

Till last decade, India was known as the rich country of poor peoples. But,this Indian image has now been changed due to emergence of InformationTechnology in India. Though, India is one of the giant in IT industry, this

technology has not reached to the common people effectively. We have notchanged our mind to use Information Technology as the learning media. Severalorganizations are trying to introduce Information Technology in learning. But, thisprocess is not that much fast. Engineering education institutes, boards andcouncils has taken initiative to learn via process of E Learning. Due to thegrowing population of India, there is a vast scope for E Learningmethodologies. They can be implemented effectively. In several states, E Literacy is also made one of the factors of education. Youth population of India isgrowing fast as compared to rest of the world. They are expected to increase theeffective use of E Learning methods in education. It seems that India is movingfrom Gurukul to Macaulays education system to the world of E Learning.

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eLearning - Introduction and Planning