Distance or e-LearningDistance or e-Learning

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Distance Learning Distance Learning utilises: Compact utilises: Compact Disks, DVD’s, manuals, work books, Disks, DVD’s, manuals, work books, television and radio broadcasts television and radio broadcasts and a and a range of other tools.  Distance Learning is range of other tools.  Distance Learning is an old concept, yet the term is used an old concept, yet the term is used consistently today with the phrase consistently today with the phrase e-e-learninglearning. . 

Until well into the 20th century 90% of Until well into the 20th century 90% of the employed were manual workersthe employed were manual workers..

Today in this country only about 20% Today in this country only about 20% of workers are employed in this line of of workers are employed in this line of work. work.

Of the remaining workers, 40% make Of the remaining workers, 40% make use of technology. use of technology.

‘‘Preparing teens and adults to function in this Preparing teens and adults to function in this milieu is a top priority of society with the milieu is a top priority of society with the development and expansion of the Internet development and expansion of the Internet and distance learning, essential to achieving and distance learning, essential to achieving this goal.’ this goal.’

T.Blair 2006T.Blair 2006

‘‘Preparing teens and adults to function in this Preparing teens and adults to function in this milieu is a top priority of society with the milieu is a top priority of society with the development and expansion of the Internet development and expansion of the Internet and distance learning, essential to achieving and distance learning, essential to achieving this goal.’ this goal.’

T.Blair 2006T.Blair 2006

e-learning gives the freedom and e-learning gives the freedom and flexibility to learn when and where flexibility to learn when and where the student wants and at their own the student wants and at their own pace.pace.

It is possible to study a wide range of It is possible to study a wide range of subjects at any level, and e-learning subjects at any level, and e-learning can be ideal if the subject isn't can be ideal if the subject isn't available nearby.available nearby.

e-learning is to classroom learning e-learning is to classroom learning as cell phones are to pay phones as cell phones are to pay phones at the railway station.at the railway station.

e-learninge-learning can include text, video, can include text, video, audio, animation and virtual audio, animation and virtual environments. environments.

e-learninge-learning is self-paced, hands-on is self-paced, hands-on learning.learning.

e-learninge-learning allows learning anywhere allows learning anywhere and usually at any time, as long as a and usually at any time, as long as a properly configured computer is properly configured computer is available. available.

e-learninge-learning can be CD-ROM based, can be CD-ROM based, Network, Intranet or Internet-based.Network, Intranet or Internet-based.

e-learning has definite benefits e-learning has definite benefits over traditional classroom over traditional classroom training.training.

It's It's less expensiveless expensive to produce. to produce.

It provides a It provides a consistentconsistent message. message.

It can work from It can work from any location and any location and at any time.at any time.

It can be It can be updated easilyupdated easily and and quicklyquickly. .

It can be It can be easily managedeasily managed for large for large groups of students.groups of students.

There are many advantages to e-There are many advantages to e-learning, and even the potential learning, and even the potential

disadvantages (i.e. boring text-based disadvantages (i.e. boring text-based courses, technophobia, isolation) can courses, technophobia, isolation) can be alleviated with a properly designed be alleviated with a properly designed

course.course.

A useful definition of distance learning is A useful definition of distance learning is provided byprovided by Webopedia: Webopedia:

"A type of education where students "A type of education where students work on their own at home or at the work on their own at home or at the office and communicate via e-mail, office and communicate via e-mail,

videoconferencing and other forms of videoconferencing and other forms of computer-based communication. Due computer-based communication. Due to their accessibility the Internet and to their accessibility the Internet and

World Wide Web serve as the World Wide Web serve as the foundation for many distance learning foundation for many distance learning systems which are used to produce a systems which are used to produce a

virtual classroom”.virtual classroom”.

e-learning makes use of information and communications technology to provide innovative ways to learn:

If the learner has mobility or health problems that make travel or attendance difficult

If the learner has commitments which make it differcult to attend a regular course.

At the learners own pace.

Enables learning to take place when and wherever the learner is located.

Audio

Video

Intranet/Internet via phone

line/satellite.

E- Mail

With increased With increased Internet Internet bandwidth and bandwidth and speeds speeds available, it is available, it is possible to possible to broadcast a live broadcast a live programme to programme to anywhereanywhere in in the worldthe world. .

Tutors can more easily detect non-Tutors can more easily detect non-verbal cues, such as lack of verbal cues, such as lack of understanding, confusion or anxiety, understanding, confusion or anxiety, which may not be as forthcoming which may not be as forthcoming using a typical classroom scenario.using a typical classroom scenario.

There are many advantages of using e-There are many advantages of using e-Learning with Video Conferencing over Learning with Video Conferencing over conventional tutorials:conventional tutorials:

Tutors can access other useful visual Tutors can access other useful visual information, for example, a student information, for example, a student who is having difficulties using a who is having difficulties using a printer.  The camera on the student's printer.  The camera on the student's p.c. can be angled down and the tutor p.c. can be angled down and the tutor can perform a visual check on the can perform a visual check on the equipment, and perhaps offer a equipment, and perhaps offer a solution.solution.

Tutors and students can send large Tutors and students can send large amounts of data to each other at high amounts of data to each other at high speed, enabling assessment and speed, enabling assessment and feedback at a distance to take place feedback at a distance to take place quickly and effectively. quickly and effectively. 

Students can enjoy greater learning Students can enjoy greater learning autonomy as they become the initiators autonomy as they become the initiators of the contact between themselves and of the contact between themselves and their tutor.their tutor.

Disadvantages with e-LearningDisadvantages with e-Learning

Costs may be prohibitive to some Costs may be prohibitive to some potential users and protracted on-line potential users and protracted on-line teaching time. teaching time. 

Lack of familiarity with the capabilities Lack of familiarity with the capabilities and functionality of the technologyand functionality of the technology

Using e-learning technology is a method Using e-learning technology is a method of offering learning to a wider range of of offering learning to a wider range of people, in wider geographical locations.people, in wider geographical locations.

BUTBUT

It is for both student and tutor to accept It is for both student and tutor to accept new technologies and methods of new technologies and methods of learning and teaching.learning and teaching.

As without the inclination to As without the inclination to travel we would never have travel we would never have

walked on the moon!.walked on the moon!.

‘‘Human beings are almost unique in Human beings are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent reluctance to do so’.for their apparent reluctance to do so’.

Douglas Douglas AdamsAdams