E-learning

E-LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES

INTRODUCTION

The computers with their unimaginable working and functioning capacity coupled with a tremendous progress in the field of electronics and communication technology have yielded so much power, abilities and capabilities to human beings that we can boast to do anything and everything imaginable on this earth. Teaching and Learning that entirely happened to be a domain of the human factors –teacher –student –is now no longer limited to its traditional boundaries or ways and means. It has gradually turned into a subject of technological progress.

E-LEARNING     

‘E-learning’ is an abbreviation of the term ‘Electronic Learning’. Electronic Learning in its literal meaning stands for the type of learning carried out, facilitated or supported by some or the other electronic gadgets, media or resources. It is quite a broader meaning of the term ‘e-learning’. Judging in this sense, the learning facilitated by the use of any electronic media or means like microphones and listening devises or audio and video-tapes can be termed as e-learning, however ,is not taken in such generalized sense.

E-learning may call for the services of the advanced electronic information and communication media and means like CD-ROMS and DVDs, Teleconferencing, Video Conferencing and Computer based Conferencing ,E-mail, Live Chat, Surfing on the Internet and Web Browsing, On-line Reference Libraries ,Video Game Style Simulation, Customized E-learning Courses and Web Blogs. E-learning may be taken as an electronically carried out learning facilitated and supported by the use of advanced learning technology particularly calling for the services of computers, networking and multimedia.

NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF E-LEARNING

⇨.E-learning is a generic term used to refer Computer Enhanced Learning.

⇨.Its use should be strictly limited to “on-line learning” carried out through the internet or web enabled learning.

⇨.It conveys broader meaning than the terms ‘computer-based learning’ and ‘computer aided instruction’.

⇨.It should not be taken as synonymous to audio-visual learning, multimedia learning, distance learning or distance education. It is true that the visual-audio and multimedia technology and distance learning programs rest heavily now days on the use of Internet and web services provided through the computers, yet these are not identical but complementary.

MODES AND STYLES       

(a).Support Learning

E-learning can play a mere supporting role to the teaching-learning activities organized in the class. As a result, the teacher may make its use for his better teaching and a learner for his needed learning.

(b).Blended Learning 

In this mode, attempts are made for making use of a combination of traditional and ICT enhanced e-learning practices. The programs and activities are so planned and executed as to present a happy combination of both the traditional classroom teaching practices and e-learning-based instruction.

(c).Complete E-learning 

In this mode of learning, the traditional classroom teaching is totally replaced by the virtual classroom teaching-learning. There is no existence of classrooms, schools and teaching learning environment as happens in the traditional setup of school education. The learners are free to take their learning tasks independently with the help of the properly designed e-learning courses. Most of the learning activities are carried out entirely on-line, but at the same time, they may have also access to the well-stored information and learning packages available in the form of recorded CD-ROM, DVD etc. Such type of e-learning activities may be found to adopt the following two distinctive communication styles;

(a).Asynchronous Communication Style

(b).Synchronous Communication Style

E-LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES

E-learning can surpass many of the pitfalls of regular classroom training such as boring slides, monotonous speech and two dimensional representations. The beauty of e-learning is that new software allows the creation of very effective learning environment that can immerse the learner in the material. Web audio-video conferencing and live broadcasts enhance the interaction levels. To understand the pedagogies let’s look at the four categories into which e-learning falls. They are arranged from the most basic to advanced here,

(a).Knowledge Database  

This is the most basic form of e-learning. It provides explanation and guidance on various type of content. Knowledge Database can be used in teacher education programs to:

∙provide step-by-step instructions to perform specific task,

∙extract knowledge on any topics by either typing a keyboard or phrase or by making a selection from alphabetical list,

∙organize knowledge in psychologically receptive form using clear headings with limited distracters, 3D visuals etc

(b).Online Support

It comes in the form of forums, chat rooms, online bulletin board or email.

(c).Asynchronous Training

It involves self-based learning either CD ROM based, network based, the internet based.

(d).Synchronous Training

It is the most advanced type of e-learning. It is done with live instructor who facilitates the training. The main features of synchronous training are;

·         Everyone logs in at a set time and can communicate directly with the instructor and with the each other.

·         It lasts for a set amount of time from single session to several weeks, months or even years.

·         It usually takes place via the internet, websites, audio or video conferencing or even two-way live broadcasts to students in a classroom the main focus being linking learners and practioners to experts.      

I.BLOG

A blog is a website or part of website in which items are posted and displayed with the newest at the top .Like other media; blogs often focus on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news.  Some blogs function as online diaries.

Educational Blogging is blogging by students, teachers, administrators, industry experts, and other involved entities that focus primarily on the educational process and educational interests.

TYPES OF BLOGS

There are different types of blogs, differing not only in the type of content, but also in the way that content is delivered or written.

(a). Personal Blog

(b). Corporate and Organizational Blogs

(c).Blogs by Genre

(d).Blog by Media Type

(e).Blog by Devices

(f).Blogs in Education (Edublog)

An Edublog is a kind of blog written by someone with a stake in education. Blogs maintained for the purpose of classroom instruction, or blogs written about educational policy. The collection of these blog is called edublogsphere.

FEATURES OF EDUBLOG

⋆Students can quickly catch up if they miss a class

⋆The teacher can use the blogs as a course plan

⋆Blogs can be used to motivate students to do more reading and encourage them to improve their values.

⋆Blogs can also be used to bring out the diversity in the classroom, in terms of learning styles and individual preference.

⋆Potential for increased access and exposure to quality information.

⋆Link your class with another class somewhere else in the world.

                                 Blogs are very good tool for learning which is user-friendly and convenient for publishing and sharing ideas related to education.

II. MOODLE

MOODLE(Modular Object Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment)is a free source of e-learning software platform, also known as Learning Management System(LMS).As of October 2012, it had a user base of 70,793 registered and verified sites, serving 63,204,814 users in 6.7+ million courses with 1.2+ million teachers.

MOODLE was originally developed by ‘Martin Dougiamas’ to help educators create online courses with a focus on interaction and collaborative construction of content, and it is in continual evolution.  The first version of MOODLE was released on 20 August 2002.

FEATURES OF MOODLE

MOODLE has several features considered typical of an e-learning platform, plus some original innovations. MOODLE can be used in many types environment such as in education, training, and development and business settings.

⇛. Assignment Submission

⇛. Discussion Forum

⇛.Files Download

⇛. Online Calendar

⇛.Online news and Announcement (College and Course Level)

III. M-LEARNING

Mobile Learning is now creating a new wave of educational development for sustainable and viable learning option.  It is based on the convergence of mobile technologies and wireless infrastructure.  These essentially represent a continuum of  e-learning based on more sophisticated technologies.

M-learning aims at making the learning process more flexible, accessories and personalized. Every study participates in M-learning has equal opportunity to make quality presentations, communicate with faculty and access course materials without waiting for the campus computers .Students use mobile phones to collaborate with peers ,faculty and expert in their area of study.

Mobile device has been mainly used for:

⇨.gathering responses from students

⇨.collaborate data gathering

⇨.supporting communication among group members

⇨.having effective interaction between students and teachers

⇨.easily adoption to teachers and students

⇨.creating learning community

Mobile phone use the wireless internet to exchange voice message, email and web pages to anywhere and anytime. Some most students already carry mobile phones, most classes are already equipped. Portability, connectivity, simplicity and low cost make them valuable educational tools and running cost and text input speed restricts it usage.

ADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING

(1). Unlike traditional classroom education, e-learning can cater to different learning styles and promote collaboration among students from different localities, cultures, regions, states and countries.

(2). E-learning may make the students more interested and motivated towards learning as they may get a wide variety of learning experiences by having access to Multimedia, Internet, Web Technology and M-learning along with the verbal and non-verbal presentation of the learning contents.

(3).There is no need to waste time in travelling to classroom.

(4).Through E-learning a learner can share his/her knowledge with others at the global level.

LIMITATIONS

∎Computer illiteracy and access to equipment

∎Some topics are not appropriate for e-learning

∎Material Incompatibility

∎Reliant of the Quality of the content

∎Reliant Human Support

∎Pedagogically Unsound