Technology Learning » Electronic Learning

Elearning Solutions Versus Conventional Corporate Training Methods

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:00:02 +0000

The Internet has infiltrated all angles of our society from culture and entertainment, business, to social interaction. Even the way we learn and acquire information has been so dependent on technology and the worldwide web that people can now earn degrees even without going to conventional classes in the traditional school setup. Through elearning or electronic learning, people can take corporate trainings, university courses, and earn certifications without having to go to formal sessions in schools or corporate training centers. Students and trainees can have access to virtually everything and anything they need and want to learn through the cutting edge technology of elearning solutions.

Prominent universities and even the biggest companies in the US are now integrating this mode of training and teaching into their system. Despite this strong movement towards technology-based learning, many are still questioning the capabilities and efficiency of online education and training in really fulfilling its promise of effective learning. Some claim that although innovative and at par with the changes of the times, an online-based learning cannot replace the level of learning and interaction that a conventional face-to-face training can offer. But what factors set electronic learning apart from traditional corporate training methods?

Scheduling Convenience
Traditional training methods entail trainees and trainers to stick to a specific timetable, which requires so much planning on the part of the HR. The schedule should be established in such a way that it would not interfere with regular work routine of employees or operations of the company. On the other hand, companies’ schedules and plans change to give way for projects, sorting out contingencies, and the fluctuating product demands in relation to the economic downturn. This is often the reason of many companies for pushing employee development programs down their priority list. With elearning on the other hand, scheduling training sessions is never a problem. It provides both trainers and trainees accessibility and scheduling convenience. Since courses and sessions are conducted online, employees can take them wherever they are and whenever it is most convenient for them. They can do it individually or as a group depending on their availability. Online training also addresses the challenge of providing efficient training on an ongoing basis.

Self-Paced Nature of Learning and Instruction
Trainees have different learning curve: some learn faster while some need more time to absorb and process chunks of information from the sessions. In a conventional training set up, there is a tendency for participants to feel abash about if they are slower in catching information from the rest of the class. So instead of optimizing learning opportunities, some would either lose motivation to participate or will only participate in classes not because they want to but because they are mandated by the company. Such affective filters prevent employees from getting the most out of the training that the company is giving them. With technology based trainings, however, isolating trainees with slower learning curve can be avoided because of its self-paced nature. Trainees learn in their own pace and the system adapts to their learning speed and readiness. Employees can move on to the next part of the training depending on his learning curve.

By: Joel Owens

E-Learning As a Boost in Business Enterprises

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:33:42 +0000

E-Learning which is the short for electronic learning found its way into our vocabulary about a decade ago. Prior to this time teaching requires the presence of a teacher and students in a physical classroom but further development revealed that this may not always be necessary for learning to take place.

The uses of pre-recorded voice of a teacher for some training session seem to serve the interest of some who still believe the teacher should still be used for imparting knowledge. This has changed tremendously recently as needs continue to place demands on educators on the need to change and apply different teaching and learning strategies for more efficient and effective results now that the global society is driven by technology.

WHY E-LEARNING IN BUSINESS

In business enterprises, one might wonder what is the immediate need for e-learning as a mean of staff training and as the workforce could attend regular schools, seminars, workshops etc to continuously update knowledge. The need for a company to continuously keep its workforce in current trends in knowledge and information in their area of services may increase production and profit yields. But is there any convenient way or another method whereby there may be no need to take study leave to have an update course? The best way as a school of thought suggested is to bring knowledge into the door steps of the workers in addition to making knowledge acquisition and skill improvement part of daily routine activities in which case training programmes could be designed as standalone e-learning solutions from the experiences gained at work where the entire workforce could enjoy flexible, accessible learning programmes. The company website could serve as a portal for such training approach. On the other hand effective e-learning tools could be developed to provide information and knowledge for everyday support for workers as an enhancement for their daily routine and activities. Any of the above approaches could provide opportunities for collaborative learning where collective activities and knowledge sharing are paramount. There may be a stage in development where learning materials could be a direct product of employees’ documented experiences rather than those products from e-learning experts.

NEEDS ANALYSIS

As good and convenient as e-learning is there is always need for analysis of the training needs of company staff. No mistake should be made in addressing the training needs of the workers in order to forestall misdirected energy that may not lead to increase in yields, production and profits of the company. Business thrives when the workforce has the relevant but sufficient knowledge to carry out day-to-day running of production processes. E-learning solution should therefore be aligned to support appropriate working and learning environment. “When the search for information and know-how is seen as business related while at the same time offers employees the possibility of personal and career development then the proper conditions for learning at work are in place. These conditions for learning are pre-requisite for the effective utilisation of e-learning resources” [Attwell, G (2003) in 'The challenge of e-learning in small enterprises': Cedefop Panaroma. pg 5 Series; 82]

INTEGRATED NETWORKS

No man is an island so goes a popular saying. Business enterprises are therefore required to form a network of learning establishments where inter-company exchanges of solution, idea, strategies and knowledge could be promoted. Collaborative activities in knowledge sharing and training could merge expertise in a manner that will promote mutual relationship and joint ventures that may lead to the manufacture of products that will supercede an existing one thought out and made by a single effort of a company through digital technologies interdependence, interconnectivity are made easier and flexible making it possible to promote integrated networks.

The world is a global village and only global thinking approach can bring the best in business enterprises. So we should not think narrowly but globally for more globally beneficial results.

By: Olufemi Olubodun

E-Learning – Technology Solutions

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:11:49 +0000

Electronic learning or E-Learning is a general term used to refer to computer-enhanced learning. E-learning is the unifying term to describe the fields of online learning, web-based training, and technology-delivered instruction.

E-Learning lessons are generally designed to guide students through information or to help students perform in specific tasks. Information based e-Learning content communicates information to the student. E-Learning today has narrowed down the gap between training and marketing communication programs. E-Learning is used by educators to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of educational intervention in the face of the social, scientific, and educational challenges.

In order to work closely with professionals, learners and institutions, it is necessary to deliver continuing education i.e. which focuses on requirements which should clearly meet the learning goals. These Learning goals differ from students, trainees, professions and the skilled persons. It is obvious each have multiple learning styles. Most E-learning systems offer the same tools and resource materials to all these peoples who are different in terms of motivations, training backgrounds, technical skills and learning objectives. Not only should the learners have multi learning styles but the instructor who provides training also should have the capability to reach multi talented students in while educating.

Based on these issues, extensive research should be initiated for an innovative approach of e-learning technology and solutions delivery methodologies to make learning feasible. Even some of the E-Learning products have been developed that should enhance the learning experience and deliver value to the learning value-chain. The training solutions comprise of various initiatives that integrate multi-format digital content, delivery mechanisms, and collaboration tools to deliver comprehensive problem solving results.

By: Jayanthi N

The E-learning Revolution

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:41:16 +0000

Education has always benefited from developments in technology, but the use of electronic learning or e-learning in colleges has enabled a revolution to take place in how students can learn, especially students who, for a variety of reasons, need to do a lot of course work from home. The impact of e-learning has been a huge benefit to both students and colleges.

The Internet and web technology have given students and colleges the opportunity to take online degrees such as an online business degree and online marketing degree in a distance learning environment, while either looking after a family or while working in full time or part time employment. Web technology is continually improving to make online classes, access to research materials and communication between student and teacher easier to do.

E-learning often takes place in what is often described as the ‘Virtual Learning Environment.’ The virtual learning environment is not intended as a replacement for traditional colleges, but is an alternative that has a good impact on the way students can study through distance learning courses.

Affordability is also a key factor in the popularity of e-learning, with fewer costs associated with traditional college based learning such as travel, distance learning courses such as an online management degree are therefore made more widely available.

Although it is possible to take a degree online, many colleges make e-learning part of existing campus based courses, where it is practical and demanded. This aspect of e-learning – where colleges provide courses according to the needs of the student – makes it often a personalised learning experience for the student.

E-learning also benefits employers, allowing staff to study without taking time off work, or taking less time off work compared to a conventional college, therefore saving on valuable work time and company expenditure. E-learning allows learning to be flexible, based around the needs of the student, and colleges offering online degrees and distance learning understand the needs of the student with professional and family commitments.

Much progress has been made in the development of e-learning teaching tools, to enable students and teachers to get the most out of their online degree.

E-learning can often involve a combination of communication technologies, especially in what is often referred to as the ‘virtual classroom.’ With a range of communication technologies available to students, such as WiFi and mobile telephones, content, classes and communication between student and teacher demonstrate that e-learning is both functional and versatile, and can adapt efficiently to suit the needs of the student.

Of course, e-learning technologies cannot replace the self motivation and discipline needed by students to be successful in their online or distance learning degrees, but can certainly encourage students who may otherwise have not been able to study for their online degrees where it not for the convenience of e-learning. The differences in how colleges approach the learning needs of students because of e-learning have certainly impacted in a constructive way, helping colleges develop their distance or flexible learning courses for the benefit of students.

By: Sarah Maple