E-learning and its advantages
Understanding eLearning is simple.
eLearning is learning utilizing electronic technologies to access educational
curriculum outside of a traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers
to a course, program or degree delivered completely online.
There are many terms used to describe
learning that is delivered online, via the internet, ranging from Distance
Education, to computerized electronic learning, online learning, internet
learning and many others. We define eLearning as courses that are specifically
delivered via the internet to somewhere other than the classroom where the
professor is teaching. It is not a course delivered via a DVD or CD-ROM, video
tape or over a television channel. It is interactive in that you can also
communicate with your teachers, professors or other students in your class.
Sometimes it is delivered live, where you can “electronically” raise your hand
and interact in real time and sometimes it is a lecture that has been
prerecorded. There is always a teacher or professor interacting /communicating
with you and grading your participation, your assignments and your tests.
eLearning has been proven to be a successful method of training and education
is becoming a way of life for many citizens in North Carolina.
The flexible nature of elearning means
that we are likely to encounter it in everyday life. Some people seek it out in
for additional learning opportunities, and for career advancement. While others
may accidentally stumble upon it when watching a short training on their
smartphone about their latest application.
Simply put, elearning is everywhere, and
it certainly comes with some pretty awesome advantages – such as:
1. Scalable – Elearning enables us to
quickly create and communicate new policies, training, ideas, and concepts. Be
it for entertainment or formal education, elearning is nimble!
2. Capacity and Consistency – Using
elearning allows educators to achieve a great degree of coverage for their
target audience, and it ensures that the message is communicated in a
consistent fashion. This results in all learners receiving the same training.
3. High Learning Retention – Blended
learning approaches result in a higher knowledge retention rate. It also helps
that coursework can be refreshed and updated whenever needed.
4. Time and Money Savings – This one
is pretty well known, and a staple of any well-done elearning program.
Elearning reduces time away from the workplace, eliminates the need for travel,
and removes the need for classroom-based training.
5. Activity and ROI Measurements – If
you are using
a learning management system to deliver your elearning, then tracking
learner progress is a piece-of-cake, and reporting on this activity is just as
simple.
6. Reduction of the Carbon Footprint
– By leveraging elearning for online testing and quizzing, the need for
printing out paper-based assessments is reduced, in fact it’s practically
eliminated altogether!
7. Flexible – Using elearning, you
can give employees and students the freedom to learn at their own convenience,
and at a pace that is right for them. Staff can be trained in remote locations
and in a consistent fashion as anyone receiving on-site training.
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