CATL

E

-LEARNING for education

Books and journals have found their way to the desktops of students and research scholars. Thanks to the invention of electronic resources, easy, quick and anytime access to books and journals have made an effective learning. E-resources serve as a platform for random access to multiple users at the same time and save plenty of time. E-learning has developed very fast due to internet.

The internet and the world wide web has provided us with easy access to information and knowledge. E-learning is a technology which supports teaching and learning using a computer web technology. It bridges the gap between a teacher and a student in different ways. The computer-based Instruction has progressed from usage of CD-ROM to the internet then to the web- based instruction(WWW.)

LEARNER CENTERED

In a true learner-centered environment, the learner is the beginning and end point of the learning process, and the learner's needs are the focus of the program.

·         Tools are available as the learners needs.

·         The instructor adjusts to the student

·         The quality of instruction is measured against standards

·         The student is an active partner in the learning process

·         The course is continually renewed through feedback from learners

E-learning, Web-based learning E-learning is mostly associated with activities involving computers and interactive networks simultaneously. The computer does not need to be the central element of the activity or provide learning content. However, the computer and the network must hold a significant involvement in the learning activity. Web-based learning is associated with learning materials delivered in a Web browser, including when the materials are packaged on CD-ROM or other media disk.

Online learning

■ Online learning :is associated with content readily accessible on a computer. The content may be on the Web or the Internet, or simply installed on a CD-ROM or the computer hard disk.

The letter 'e' in e-learning stands for the word 'electronic'. E-learning pioneer BERNARD LUSKIN (2001) explains 'e' as exciting, energetic, enthusiastic, emotional, extended and educational. E-learning is internet-enabled learning. It is a store house of education, information, communication, training, knowledge and performance management.

BENEFITS

·         Convenient

o   Self-service (mix and match)

o   On-demand (anytime, anywhere)

o   Private learning

o   Self-paced

o   Flexibility: (modular package)

·         Media-rich

·         Easier to understand & more engaging

·         Repeatable

·         As many times as you like

·         Easier to monitor progress

·         Less administrative work

·         Can be more precise

·         Central control of content

·         Same quality of content for all

·         Same quality of education for all

Delivery methods of e-learning

o   Synchronous learning

o   Asynchronous learning

o   Instructor-led group

o   Self-study with subject expert

o   Web-based: blog-Wikis-forums

o   Computer-based (CD-ROM)

o   Video/audio streaming

Synchronous learning

Within synchronous learning; learning and teaching takes place in real time (same time) while the trainer and learners are physically separated from each other (place shift).

Examples include:

listening to a live radio broadcast

watching live a television broadcast

audio/video conferencing

Internet telephony

online lectures

two-way live satellite broadcast

SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING METHODS

Telephone
Screen Sharing
Chat

Desktop Conferencing
Online seminar

Asynchronous learning

Characteristic for asynchronous learning is the fact that that the trainer prepares the courseware material before the course takes place. The learner is free to decide when he wants to study the courseware

Examples include:

self paced courses taken via Internet or CD-Rom

videotaped classes

stored audio/video Web presentations or seminars

recorded audio tapes

Q & A mentoring

reading e-mail message

ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING METHODS

Fax
E-mail

Newsgroups

Computer Based Training
Quick Reference Guide

Comparison between Traditional & E-learning Approach

	Traditional Classroom	E-Learning
Classroom	Physical - limited size Synchronous	Unlimited Anytime, anywhere
Content	PowerPoint/transparency/etc Textbooks/library Video Collaboration	Multimedia / simulation Digital library On demand Syn & Asyn. Communication
Personalisation	• One learning path	• Learning path and pace determined by learner

Instructor led training

It refers to the traditional classroom training where a teacher teaches a classroom full of students.

The problems of this training are

Distance: Bringing together the students under one roof for requires time and money.

Audience size and response time: Same planning is required for smaller and larger group of students in planning, infrastructure and instructors.

Off the job time: working people face difficulty in finding a replacement for their jobs.

Concept of e-learning

In our rapid changing world, we find it difficult to overcome the learning challenges and the possible
achievements. To bridge this gap, the concepts such as e-learning, e-teaching, e-teachers has become the part of effective education.

E-Teaching

E-teaching is the appreciation of live teaching with streaming lectures, whiteboards, downloadable slide sets and discussion forum.

E-teaching is an automation of an existing teacher-centered educational approach.

The real work is in creating content and learning management systems that support e-learning.

E-teachers

E-teachers are teachers who work in an internet environment in both regular and virtual classroom situations.

They build new concepts of working in time and space.

They find new learning resources as they interact with information, materials and ideas with their students and colleagues.

Impact of e-learning on teaching learning process

Computer based networking system has provided the present day teacher with a choice of modern tools to deliver the goods in the classroom and end the instructional boundaries.

Information and communication technology in which e-learning, e-teaching, e-teachers are built in components has some impacts on teaching learning process.

Impacts on teaching learning process

·         Improves efficiency both in learning and teaching

·         Increases motivation

·         Deepens understanding

·         Promotes collaborate learning

·         Gives new approach to learning and working

·         Provides new ways interacting

·         Paves way for personality development

·         Increases social skills

·         Creates interest in learning

·         Impacts on teaching learning process

·         Helpful for self-evaluation

·         Wide reach and consistent

·         User convenient

·         Flexible and rich medium for students

·         Useful tool to address students with different learning and cognitive styles

·         Self-pacing for slow and quick learners, reduces stress and increases satisfaction.

E-LEARNING TOOLS

1.  E-learning tools: scope of E-mail

·         Every teacher & student should have an e-mail account

·         Communicate with students

·         Communicate with parents

·         Students can submit assignment

·         Can have attachments

·         Create a paperless environment

·         Simple but effective

·         Efficient and cost effective

2.  E-learning tools: Audio Chat

·         Synchronous communication tool

·         Communicate with students

·         Communicate with parents

·         More students participate

·         Collaborative learning

3.  E-learning tools: Online Forum

·         Asynchronous discussion forum

·         Teacher can create discussion groups

·         Teacher could post a question and request students to comment

·         Students can post their comments

·         Can encourage community participation

·         Collaborative learning can be fostered

·         Feedback from diverse culture

4.  E-learning Tools: Web

·         Wide range of materials available

·         Teacher will need to narrow down

·         It is a resource center

·         Sharing of resources

·         Supported by images, audio, simulation and multimedia

5. E-learning tools: Video

·         Conference

·         Can conduct a live lecture

·         Communication with students

·         Communication with parents

·         Support by audio, chat and whiteboard

·         Support sharing of applications

·         Can be recorded and later be used for on demand lectures

Tools: Learning Management System (LMS)

·         Management of content

·         Tracking students

·         Administrative features

·         Integration with various tools such as chat,
forum, e-mail, etc.

·         Reporting

Open source e-learning applications

Open source refers to a program in which the source code (programming language) is available to the general public for use and /or modification from its original and redistribution.

Some open source e-learning apps;-

A. eFront: It is an open source eLearning platform to assist with the creation of online learning communities while offering various opportunities for collaboration and interaction through an icon-based user interface. The platform offers tools for content creation, tests building, assignments management, reporting, internal messaging, forum, chat, surveys etc.

B. Moodle: Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment is a free source e-learning software platform and modular design allowing any developer to create additional modules and features. Many universities and colleges use it in their daily teaching and learning. It is a free source software (ie) the developer can make modification based on their needs.

ADVANTAGES OF e-learning

·         Class work can be scheduled around personal and professional work

·         Reduces travel cost and time to and from school

·         Learners may have the option to select learning materials that meets their level of knowledge and interest

·         Learners can study wherever they have access to a computer and Internet

·         Self-paced learning modules allow learners to work at their own pace

·         Flexibility to join discussions in the bulletin board threaded discussion areas at any hour, or visit with

·         classmates and instructors remotely in chat rooms

·         Different learning styles are addressed and facilitation of learning occurs through varied activities

·         Development of computer and Internet skills that are transferable to other facets of learner's lives

·         Successfully completing online or computer-based courses builds self-knowledge and self-confidence

·         and encourages students to take responsibility for their learning.

Disadvantages of e-learning

·         Unmotivated learners or those with poor study habits may fall behind

·         Lack of familiar structure and routine may take getting used to

·         Students may feel isolated or miss social interaction

·         Instructor may not always be available on demand

·         Slow or unreliable Internet connections can be frustrating

·         Managing learning software can involve a learning curve

·         Some courses such as traditional hands-on courses can be difficult to simulate