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- Is online learning for me?
- What are E-learning, online education, web-based training, and distance education? Is there any difference?
- How does E-learning take place?
- What is the difference between E-learning and traditional classroom learning?
- Is asynchronous communication or discussion an effective way to learn and interact within an online class?
- What are the benefits to online learning?
- What are the challenges to online learning?
- What does research show about the effectiveness of distance education and online learning?
- Are there different types or formats of online learning?
- Is one type or format of online learning preferred or more effective?
- Is E-learning more or less expensive that traditional learning?
- Is E-learning for persons of all ages?
- Is it true that there is no classroom interaction between students and instructors in an E-learning classroom or environment?
- What are the most important factors to consider when creating quality online learning for the first time?
- Where can I find more information about E-learning or online education on the web?
e-learning FAQs
Research has shown that all types of learners and personality
types can use online technology in the learning process effectively.
Online learning is especially beneficial to adults who, due to distance,
time, or physical limitations cannot access traditional educational opportunities.
If you are still not sure if online learning is for you, take
a free online quiz at onlinelearning.net to determine your readiness
to be an online learner. 
2. What are E-learning, online education, web-based training, and distance education? Is there any difference?
E-learning is any learning that takes place using a network for the delivery, interaction, or facilitation of learning. It is most commonly associated with activities. This network could be on the Internet or an organizational Intranet. Dr. Sylvia Charp, the editor in chief at T.H.E. Journal explained the advantages of it and the tremendous growth of this new type of learning in her April 2001 editorial entitled, “E-Learning.” “E-learning's advantages—its flexibility and round-the-clock access to any number of courses—make it particularly attractive to corporate trainers. Education's use of the Internet and of E-learning has grown substantially. Students are setting their own time schedules, learning from each other and from instructors all over the globe. Most higher education institutions offer e-learning opportunities. It is recognized that E-learning is becoming a significant force in education and training. The number of students involved grows and the demand will probably exceed the availability of course material.” Read the entire article...
Online education utilizes a computer for learning; learning materials and content can be delivered through the Web or on a CD-ROM.
Web-based training takes place on the Internet, delivered through a Web browser. According to Bettina Brown, “Education and training via the World Wide Web are growing rapidly. Reduced training costs, world-wide accessibility, and improved technological capabilities have made electronic instructional delivery to adult learners a viable alternative to classroom instruction.”
Distance education involves
learning at a distance between instructors and students. It includes televised
broadcasts, correspondence courses, video-conferencing, online education,
and web-based training. Online education is gaining popularity on college
campuses. For a profile of participation in distance education, read
an article in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format...
3. How does E-learning take place?
Interaction between instructors and students can occur in three formats:
- synchronous (which takes place in real time or at the same time as other learners);
- asynchronous (which takes place at different times); or,
- some combination of both synchronous and asynchronous learning.
Instructors provide content and learning materials
in a variety of formats, which include written content materials, audio
or video broadcast lectures, PowerPoint shows for lecture or content
delivery, and Web links to content on the Internet about the subject
matter of the course. Experience
E-learning for free in an online demo...
4. What is the difference between E-learning and traditional classroom learning?
Traditional classroom learning and E-learning have many similarities. In traditional classrooms instructors share their knowledge on the subject matter, students ask questions of the instructor, students share ideas with other students and with the instructor, students work in small groups, and instructors assess students’ knowledge and skills on the subject matter being taught.
Interestingly, the elements that make for effective
adult learning in a traditional classroom are parallel to effective learning
in an online classroom. These elements include creating a community of
adult learners who work collaboratively to learn, good content on the
subject matter provided by the instructor, timely feedback from the instructor
to the student on the student’s progress in understanding the content
of the course, quality learning materials, and effective assessment strategies.
However, there are a few differences. One difference is that written, as opposed
to verbal, is the primary form of communication in an online classroom. This
communication takes place in a variety of ways, for example asynchronous or
threaded discussions sometimes called newsgroups in other Web settings. These
discussions do not occur in real time and can take place over the course of
days, weeks, or even months. Instructors or students post questions and students
respond to those questions with comments they write into an online discussion.
Just like in a traditional classroom discussion, students can share unique
ideas or concepts or react to the ideas or comments of other students or the
instructor. E-mail is another common form of communication in an online learning
experience.
5. Is asynchronous communication or discussion an effective way to learn and interact within an online class?
This type of discussion provides students and instructors
time to think and reflect on their questions and answers at a pace that
a traditional classroom environment might not provide. Ideas and concepts
can be formulated over time and those students who do not express themselves
as well verbally or are too shy to participate in a classroom discussion
often find online discussions very beneficial.
6. What are the benefits to online learning?
Pat Galagan, brain trust coordinator for the American Society for Training and Development said online courses are “…Promising because they permit organizations to provide learning that is broadly distributed but personalized for the task at hand and for the individual user’s needs and preferences.”
Increased Access to Learning: Time and distance commuting to class are no longer factors or inhibitors to participation or access to learning. A student can work full-time and still take courses; busy schedules are no longer reasons for not participating in learning.
Student Centered Learning: The pace of learning
can be determined more by the student. Often more student-to-student
interaction can take place in an online classroom. It is focused more
on the student than the instructor and instructors can provide individualized
feedback easier in this format to students. Instruction has the potential
to be more customized and flexible.
For more information on the educational benefits of online learning, read
an article in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) provided by the popular learning management
system, blackboard.com...
7. What are the challenges to online learning?
Instructors must be trained and educated in strategies
for effective online learning. Technical training and support needs to
be included for both instructors and students. It is more time consuming
for the instructor due to the need to provide individualized feedback
to students. Instructors have limited opportunities to interact and adapt
to learners verbal and non-verbal clues.
8. What does research show about the effectiveness of distance education and online learning?
The answer to this question is still unfolding in educational
research arenas; however, various studies have proven that there is no
significant difference between the effectiveness of traditional education
delivery modes and online educational delivery. A recent study by Sheila
Tucker from East Carolina University concluded that distance education
students actually did better in some areas of learning than those in
a traditional classroom setting. Read
more about the study...
9. Are there different types or formats of online learning?
Oftentimes, it is assumed that online learning takes place exclusively online, however there are three different formats in which online learning occurs. Those formats are:
- Supplemental: The primary format for learning occurs in a face-to-face classroom, course materials and learning materials are often posted on a classroom Web site to supplement classroom instruction.
- Blended: The primary format for learning occurs both face-to-face and in an online classroom. Learning materials and content are often distributed online.
- Exclusive: The primary format for
learning occurs in an online format only. All learning content, materials,
and interaction occur through the online classroom.
10. Is one type or format of online learning preferred or more effective?
The blended format is currently preferred and proven
most effective.
This conclusion is supported by many online educators and past research. Danny
Duren, a training manager with Silicon Graphics Inc., believes that blending “produces
better results overall than limiting your programs to srictly E-learning.” But,
according to Duren, “Blending is complicated. You need operational support
and design and instructional resources. A blend,” says Duren, is “much
more of a challenge to design, develop and maintain” than straight E-learning.
But whether you blend or go with straight E-learning, accommodating all learning
styles and occupational situations means “greater learning should take
place.” First, remember that “students are people,” says
Duren. “That factor will never change. It means they will learn more
when you combine content with practice and collaboration. If your organization
has too few classrooms or a limited travel budget, strict E-learning may be
the only option. But even in strict E-learning, you can collaborate via e-mail
and use team-based E-learning, the buddy system, and the virtual classroom,” says
Duren.
11. Is E-learning more or less expensive that traditional learning?
It has been found that E-learning is most time and
resource intensive at the beginning of its implementation in an organization
or educational institution. This is primarily because instructors need
to learn how to teach effectively online, and all course materials, content,
and interaction needs to be transformed from a traditional classroom
setting to an online classroom environment. However, once the learning
management system (LMS) and content management system (CMS) have been
established with a trained instructor group, E-learning courses can be
less expensive due to travel expenses for traditional courses and print
materials needs for traditional courses.
12. Is E-learning for persons of all ages?
While persons of all ages and levels of computer expertise
engage in E-learning and have had positive experiences of it, the ASTD
Brain Trust for E-learning concluded that, “E-learning will be
attractive to a generation of employees raised on computer games and
the Internet.”
13. Is it true that there is no classroom interaction between students and instructors in an E-learning classroom or environment?
Actually, interaction among people in an E-learning
environment or classroom has been proven to be central for both student
and instructor satisfaction. However, the interaction or communication
occurs differently, often in the form of written communication and not
always in “real time” like in a classroom. Research has proven
that the intentional building of community among students and faculty
is essential. According to the Sloan Consortium for Online Education, “online
learning is not learning in isolation, but a mechanism for being connected
to a community that learns together.” This occurs most effectively
through utilizing collaborative learning techniques and intentionally
building into courses interaction among students and between instructors
and students.
14. What are the most important factors to consider when creating quality online learning for the first time?
According to the Sloan Consortium a quality framework for online learning includes addressing the following areas:
- Learning effectiveness
- Cost effectiveness
- Access
- Faculty Satisfaction
- Student Satisfaction
15. Where can I find more information about E-learning or online education on the web?
Recommended links to E-learning resource Web sites:
- eLearners.com
serves the online learning community by helping online learners find
the most appropriate E-learning providers for their needs. “We
provide services that help online learners succeed while helping providers
market their offerings.”
(http://www.elearners.com) - OnlineLearning.net,
a leading online supplier of professional development courses, provides
busy teachers with the tools to pursue their lifelong learning objectives.
“We combine technological innovation with quality content and
exceptional customer service to give teachers the best learning experience
available online.”
(http://onlinelearning.net) - BrandonHall.com,
“Since 1993, we have provided independent, objective information
about using technology for learning to help you make the right decisions
for your organization. We keep you well-informed on trends, best practices,
tools and vendors, without bias.”
(http://www.brandon-hall.com/) - Sloan
Consortium: “A consortium of institutions and
organizations committed to quality online education. The purpose of
the Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C) is to make education a part of everyday
life, accessible and affordable for anyone, anywhere, at any time, in
a wide variety of disciplines. Sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.”
(http://www.sloan-c.org)
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