The types of e-Learning one can deliver...

There are many variations and possible combinations to e-Learning delivery. Pick the one that’s most suitable for you.

• Simply online with no face-to-face meetings
• Blended or mixed learning: A combination of online with face-to-face
• Synchronous
• Asynchronous
• Instructor-led group
• Self-study
• Self-study with subject matter expert
• Web-based
• Computer based (CD-ROM)
• Video or audio tape

Possible delivery methods

It is possible to do e-Learning over the World Wide Web (WWW), networks, or by CD-ROM. Some variations of distance learning and face-to-face sessions can also be built-in incorporating traditional media. Some common methods adopted are:

• Print: e-Books, e-Zines, m-Books
• Video: Video tape/disk, DVD, cable, Internet TV, streaming video, webcasts,
• Audio: CD-ROM/DVD, streaming audio, internet radio
• Review and Exams: electronic, interactive, paper

Communications

• Asynchronous: E-mail, listservs, threaded discussions, weblogs, RSS, wikis, forums
• Synchronous: Chat, video conferencing, web conferencing, virtual classroom, teleconferencing

What is e-Learning?

I know it is difficult but I am a firm believer of Impossible is nothing! So I am taking the plunge to answer this question. IMHO e-Learning is a term that describes learning done at a computer, usually connected to a network and/or internet giving us the opportunity to learn almost anytime, anywhere.

I don’t distinguish between e-Learning and any other form of education. E-Learning is as rich and as valuable as the classroom experience and in some cases even more…

Just like in the physical classroom world instructional design (ID) is important its even more so in the e-Learning world. ID has been perfected and refined over the past few decades for e-Learning using established teaching principles and making learning/education student centric. This is the reason why we are seeing a trend of colleges, universities, businesses and organizations world-wide offering their students fully accredited online degree, vocational and continuing education programs.

E-Learning is frequently interchanged with the following terms:

• Online learning
• Online education
• Distance education
• Distance learning
• Technology-based training
• Web-based training
• Computer-based training (CD-ROM)

On the brink of a revolution, these are interesting times!

By: Homz UMRIGAR

Internet users are growing at a rapid pace. India is the 4th largest cyber nation in the world today. With the number of users set to grow by leaps and bounds the amount of time spent online is favorable for emerging areas like e-Learning and knowledge markets.

The number of daily activities impacted by the Internet will continue to rise. In a recent article I read ‘The Reserve Bank of India’ (RBI) proposing to charge a fee on bank cheques in a bid to promote online banking and services. As more individuals connect and become accustomed to the benefits created by the Internet, its presence will become a commonplace and very soon we shall take the internet for granted requirement of our everyday lives. Therefore, the e-Learning experience will be our second nature to the growing internet population.

e-Learning vs. Online Learnin

The ‘Corporate e-Learning: Exploring a New Frontier’ report by WR Hambrecht +Co clearly identifies the differences between e-Learning and online learning. e-Learning represents the whole group of technology-based learning, while online learning is equal with web-based learning. In this case, online learning is actually a division of e-Learning.

e-Learning = Technology-based Learning

The term e-learning covers an extensive set of applications and processes, including computer-based learning, Web-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration.

We define e-learning as the delivery of content via every single electronic media, which includes the Internet, intranet, extranet, satellite broadcast, audio/video tape, interactive TV, and CD-ROM. Yet, e-learning is defined as an extension of distance learning, which would include text-based learning and courses conducted via written correspondence. Contents of this report use the term e-learning synonymously with technology-based learning. Terms like e-learning, technology-based learning, and Web-based learning are defined and used differently by different organizations and user groups. Moreover, use of these terms is constantly changing, as the world of e-learning evolves.

Online Learning = Web-based Learning

Online learning constitutes just one part of technology-based learning and describes learning via Internet, intranet, and extranet.

Online learning is very volatile and the levels of complexity greatly vary. A very basic online learning program can be as simple as a page turner with some exercises, testing and record keeping (Also known as ‘tracking’), such as test scores and bookmarks. A high end complex online learning program includes animations, simulations, scenarios, audio and video sequences, highly interactive games, peer and expert discussion groups, online mentoring, virtual libraries, links to reference materials on a corporate intranet or the web, virtual classrooms and communications with corporate education records. This report uses the term online learning synonymously with web-based learning or internet-based learning.

Visit this link to download this report in PDF format

http://www.astd.org/NR/rdonlyres/E2CF5659-B67B-4D96-9D85-BFAC308D0E28/0/hambrecht.pdf

Qu'est ce que le e-learning ?

Le e-learning, ou apprentissage en ligne, est une méthode d'apprentissage qui repose sur la mise à disposition de contenus pédagogiques via un support électronique (Cédérom, Internet, intranet, extranet, télévision interactive, etc.).

Le e-learning comprend aussi bien des outils et des applications pédagogiques que des contenus pédagogiques.

Le e-learning concerne autant les jeunes qui utilisent ces supports électroniques à des fins pédagogiques que les adultes qui perfectionnent leur formation ou mettent à jour leurs connaissances. L’apprentissage en ligne, constituant une des facettes du e-learning, se différencie par l’utilisation de la technologie Web. Ces applications et ces contenus sont dispensés via un ordinateur relié à un intranet, à un extranet ou encore à Internet et constituent une étape plus avancée que l’utilisation du Cédérom. L’apprentissage en ligne offre des possibilités de collaboration et d'interactivité.

Podcasting in Education

By: Homz Umrigar

Scenario

John could not attend his university class today, but he was not stressed, he knew he could catch up on his entire missed lecture by listening to his professor’s podcast. As he boarded his bus home he was confident that he would be as prepared as the other students who had attend that lecture. One of the other students who sat through the class had sent him a message that an interesting issue had cropped up at the end of the class. Jane had picked a debate with the professor and had almost won. As John rode the bus he searched the podcast for the incident and listened to it. The atmosphere was charged in class with the debate which john could hear over his headphones. By the time john got off the bus he felt that he had not missed too much. The podcast was as good as attending class in person. He also knew he would have enough questions to ask his professor at a class he was to attend later on that day.

Podcasting in schools

Can podcasting work in schools? Yes! There are many possibilities and ways in which schools can exploit podcasting; ultimately it’s the creativity and imagination of teachers and students together that will start the podcasting revolution in their schools. Area’s in which schools can realize the potential of podcasting:

Chalk out a cross-curricular activity
Delivering alternative teaching approach

Before working on the above it’s important to see how students will adapt to podcasting and how it will make a positive contribution to their course. Are students at liberty to create and share their own podcasts? Four key areas of knowledge, skills and understanding for students are:

Finding things out
Developing ideas and making things happen
Exchanging and sharing information
Reviewing, modifying and evaluating work as it progresses

Chalk out a cross-curricular activity

There are multiple starting points to chalk out a cross-curricular activity. These activities can originate from the syllabus or curriculum set by the governing board. Activities can also be incorporated on a project basis or assignment basis as per the current curriculum. A starting point could be to emulate real life situations.

Example:

A tourism guide: In Glasgow an iTour was released to promote tourism. An audio guide of the city was posted as a podcast on the website. The same could be downloaded and transferred to a MP3 player. In this scenario the tourist had to obtain a city map and play the MP3 file on the player to listen to the podcast for a guided tour. The information in the podcast leads the way for the tourist.

Story telling: Everyone likes to listen to a story. It can be as thrilling as reading one out to your children. Those with failing eyesight or visually impaired, audio books are a practical alternative. They have been around for a while (Audio Books) and there are innumerable titles available today. Even the popular Harry potter series for children is available in this format.

Possible activities

As per the first example given herein above students could identify a topic to create and publish a podcast that could benefit other students based on their own experiences. Primary school students can create podcasts for: Activity based on outdoor studies e.g. Fieldwork in Science, history or geography topics as well as guides for new students, parents and visitors to schools.

The second example offers a bouquet of possibilities for story telling and would have a broad liking with primary school students and well as seniors.

Delivering alternative teaching approach

Use of audio material to support learning has been around for years now. Podcasting offers to build on the existing library of materials that exist in other formats and can be custom made for custom topics and learning activities in many curriculum areas. Podcast provides teachers with the idea to use a new approach to teaching and learning by:

Teachers can build a library of audio resources and content can be linked to class topics and curricular activities. These can help support students with special learning requirements. Teachers can supply additional training material to reinforce a particular class or activity thereby increasing student retention. These files could be additional study material for students during revision of exam, tests or while doing homework. In my books one is using technology to boost/assist student learning activity and empower students to achieve more.

Teachers in primary schools sometimes use audio tapes for students to listen to. They are often linked to enhancing language skills in students at a particular stage in the learning cycle for students. The same is employed fro primary and secondary schools that teach their students foreign language(s). This also builds an on demand approach to learning anytime and anywhere. For younger kids parents and teacher can use story telling in the audio form. A few examples for teachers could be a collection of poetry reading for younger children for literacy lesson or audio explanations of scientific concepts to complement student text books. This can be of significant help for students with special learning needs. Teachers can let their imagination go wild and be as creative as they want. Podcasting complements other teaching methods and improves the quality of learning.

Thank you for reading. Look forward to comments.

Significance of Streaming Video & Audio

By: Homz UMRIGAR

Learning becomes a stimulating exercise with the use of streaming video and audio. Most learning content is made up of static text and graphics, with an animation or two thrown in. Academia can now augment their teaching by using streaming video and audio over the internet.

Educational Value of Streaming Video and Audio

1. Visualization: Videos help learners visualize a process which may otherwise be difficult to represent/teach using standard learning content (Web Based Training).
2. Illustration: It can easily illustrate how something works, moves or performs.
3. Validation: Being media-rich, streaming video & audio help confirm knowledge.
4. Explanation: The “Show & Tell” style of streaming video and audio help explain the procedure or process for which training is being conducted.
5. Motivation: Streaming video and audio provides media-rich content to learners making learning more lively and engaging.

Uses of streaming video and audio

A few ways in which you can use video to improve learning:

1. Good teachers are a rare breed. By video recording lectures or presentations made the select few, students get the opportunity to learn from the finest faculty and also learn at their own pace.
2. Video help bring expert knowledge from around the world into your classroom. For example, students can learn from a virtual guest speaker by way of recorded video.
3. Learners can observe an expert perform a task which is known to a few or difficult to explain orally.
4. Videos can help learners review and analyze their own behavior, poise, and interaction in a group process.
5. Video diaries can help learners experiment as a tool to give confidence to their actions and enact the best practices. They can also produce their own content and take charge of their own learning.
6. Learners can observe simulations of complex or risky laboratory experiments without exposing themselves to possible hazards.
7. Learners can observe scenes or performances that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

To receive a copy of the full white paper please e-mail me: homz@homzumrigar.com