E-Learning

a.    E-Learning

E-learning (electronic learning) is any type of learning that takes place through or with a computer. E-learning is primarily facilitated through the Internet but can also be accomplished with CD-ROMs and DVDs, streaming audio or video and other media.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4788168_what-purpose-elearning.html

E-learning is an affordable (and often free) solution which provides the learners with the ability to fit learning around their lifestyles, effectively allowing even the busiest person to further a career and gain new qualifications. It offers the ability to share material in all kinds of formats such as videos, slideshows, word documents and PDFs. Conducting webinars (live online classes) and communicating with professors via chat and message forums is also an option available to users.

Source: http://www.talentlms.com/elearning/

The purpose of e-learning is to allow people to learn for personal accomplishment or to earn a professional degree, without physically attending a traditional university or academic setting. E-learning can be applied for all levels of schooling from grade school to graduate degrees, and is versatile enough to accommodate all learning styles.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4788168_what-purpose-elearning.html 

b. The History of E-Learning

The term "e-learning" has only been in existence since 1999, when the word was first utilized at a CBT systems seminar. Other words also began to spring up in search of an accurate description such as “online learning” and “virtual learning”. However, the principles behind e-learning have been well documented throughout history, and there is even evidence which suggests that early forms of e-learning existed as far back as the 19^th century.

Source: http://www.talentlms.com/elearning/

c. Online Tools and Application

The followings are some of online tools and application we can use:

1.     MuchEnough - Use your Webcam to Teach and Learn

MuchEnough is an online marketplace and meeting place for online instruction in any topic.  
2.   Sympoz - Lifelong Learning Evolved 
Sympoz offers a truly great educational experience online. Courses cover a wide range of topics including: Wine, Cooking, Personal Finance, Parenting. 
3.   Voxy - Learn a Language from Life 

Voxy is an innovative language-learning platform that seeks to solve the most vexing and pervasive problem for language students. 
4.   PhotoPeach - Fresh Slideshow to Go    
Automatically make your own free slide show in seconds. Upload photos, pick music, add captions in the show, and more. 
5.   Kidopo - Making Kids Happier 
Kidopo offers an innovative coloring application for coloring pages, which simulates a real coloring experience. Other sections of the sites are kids printables, games and craft videos.

Source: http://www.go2web20.net/#tag:e-learning

d.    E-Learning Trends

Several e-learning trends give us a view to how e-learning and learning tools will be shaped in the future:

1.  Micro-learning, focuses on the design of micro-learning activities through micro-steps in digital media environments, which already is a daily reality for today's knowledge workers. These activities can be incorporated into a learner's daily routines. Unlike "traditional" e-learning approaches, micro-learning often tends towards push technology through push media, which reduces the cognitive load on the learners. Therefore, the selection of micro-learning objects and also pace and timing of micro-learning activities are of importance for didactical designs. Micro-learning is an important paradigm shift that avoids the need to have separate learning sessions since the learning process is embedded in the daily routine of the end-user. It is also perfectly suited for mobile devices where long courses can be overkill.

2.   Gamification, is the use of game thinking and game mechanics in a non-game context to engage users and solve problems.

3.  Personalized Learning, is the tailoring of pedagogy, curriculum and learning environments to meet the needs and aspirations of individual learners. Personalization is broader than just individualization or differentiation in that it affords the learner a degree of choice about what is learned, when it is learned and how it is learned. This may not indicate unlimited choice since learners will still have targets to be met. However, it may provide learners the opportunity to learn in ways that suit their individual learning styles and multiple intelligences.

Source: http://www.talentlms.com/elearning/

e.    The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning

http://www.optimussourcing.com/learninghintsandtips/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-elearning

  

Below are the advantages of e-learning:

1.    No Boundaries, No Restrictions

Along with locational restrictions, time is one of the issues that learners and teachers both have to face in learning. In the case of face-to-face learning, the location limits attendance to a group of learners who have the ability to participate in the area, and in the case of time, it limits the crowd to those who can attend at a specific time. E-learning, on the other hand, facilitates learning without having to organize when and where everyone who is interested in a course can be present.

2.    More Fun

Designing a course in a way that makes it interactive and fun through the use of multimedia or the more recently developed methods of gamification enhances not only your engagement factor, but also the relative lifetime of the course material in question.

3.    Cost Effective

This is directed to both learners and teachers, but there is a good chance that whatever your role you had to pay exorbitant amounts of money at some point to acquire updated versions of textbooks for school or college. While textbooks often become obsolete after a certain period of time, the need to constantly acquire new editions is not present in e-learning.

4.    It Just Fits!

As companies and organizations adopt technologies to improve the efficiency of day-to-day operations, the use of the internet becomes a necessity. As multinational corporations expand across the globe, the chances of working with people from other countries increases, and training all those parties together is an issue that e-learning successfully addresses.

Source: http://www.talentlms.com/elearning/

On the other hand, the disadvantages of e-learning are as follows:

1.    Isolation

Though e-learning offers ease, flexibility and the ability to remotely access a classroom in the student’s own time, learners may feel a sense of isolation. This is because learning online is a solo act for the most part, which may give the learner the feeling that they are acting completely alone. As technology progresses and e-learning benefits from the advancements being made, learners can now engage more actively with professors or other students using tools such as video conferencing, social media, and discussion forums amongst others.

2.    Health Related Concerns

E-learning requires the use of a computer and other such devices; this means that eyestrain, bad posture and other physical problems may affect the learner. When running an online course it’s a good practice to send out guidelines about correct sitting posture, desk height, and recommendations for regular breaks.

Source: http://www.talentlms.com/elearning/

f.    Indonesia Higher Education E-learning Management Strategy

E-learning or electronic learning is now increasingly recognized as one way to overcome the problem of education, both in the developed countries and in developing countries. The main vehicle in the development of human resources is education and training. But when watching the situation geography, socio-economic and cultural diversity of Indonesia, it is clear that it was not adequate anymore when only relying on the ways of traditional solutions alone. Therefore, various alternative strategies related to issues explored, studied and applied. In the global era, willingly or unwillingly, educations have to do with technology, especially information technology. Many research results indicate that the late master whom the information, it is too late also the gain opportunities to get ahead. Speed accompanied by demands could potentially contribute to the education and training sector. Positive potential that technology has not only increased efficiency and effectiveness and flexibility of the learning process, but also resulted in the development of materials, shifting the role of teachers/trainers and the development of learner autonomy.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140715064821-11282346-indonesia-higher-education-e-learning-management-strategy

Reflection

On week 7, I learned about Electronic Learning (E-Learning) which according to me, the point is using technology for our learning and it can be used for all schooling grade. I mention some of the online tools and applications; however, there are still a lot of them which are very useful and easy to learn. Although e-learning has some disadvantages, I learn that it is really effective and good for improving our achievement.