School Awarded for Achievements in E-Learning

A school in the UK has been awarded for outstanding achievements in e-learning for their efforts to help students with their subjects as well as parents. The article talks about how some students do better without a "teacher standing over their shoulders."

I personally think that is true for some people, I feel better if I can just do my work, study and do everything on my own time.

http://www.elearningnews.net/view_news.php?news_id=1774

CMS e-Learning Academy

After our presentation on Wednesday, someone had mentioned that Charlotte-Mecklenburg county schools were offering online courses for high school students I decided to give it a look and here is what I found.

The major benefit I found with this e-Learning Academy was that it allowed students to take classes that maybe weren't offered at their school or that they could advance their knowledge to college courses. The e-Learning Academy is part of the North Carolina Virtual Public School and allows students to chose from about 46,000 classes in almost every school district in the state. With this availability, students would be able to take classes to get ahead, or catch up on classes that they might have missed. It also could allow them to get a head start for college courses as well as take classes that are more suited to what they are interested it.

http://www.elearningnc.gov/about_elearning/elearning_news_announcements/charlotte-mecklenburg_schools_ramps_up_new_e-learning_academy/

E-Training Safety Courses

This website offers a variety of courses based on what kind of safety needs are required at a workplace. They offer a variety of courses that range from simple refresher courses for already certified employees to courses that train based on unique situations in a workplace. Some of the courses offered include falling safety, small spaces safety, hazardous material safety and power tool safety. It makes is easier for employers to enroll groups of their employees for safety classes which saves them money and they are sure that they get the training they require for workplace safety. 

The exams require a 70% to pass and students have 10 chances to pass without having to retake the course. Another benefit to these online training courses is that the person taking the test does not have to do the course in one sitting, making it easier for full time busy employees to be able to complete the course on their own time. 

Have you ever taken a safety training course for your job?

Does it work? Was it more of a hassle than a physical course?

http://etraintoday.com

Motivational E-Training? Is it possible?

This article is about whether or not online motivational training is possible. Traditional motivational training involves sending your employees out to a seminar where they spend days away from the workplace which is costly to send employees to and costs the company wages as well. The advantage of e-training in this instance is money. The organization would save tons of money as well as employees still being able to work if needed without having to be torn away from a seminar if there was a work related emergency or something else. The biggest questions that remain with the e-training method is whether or not it actually can be as effective as a face to face seminar would be.







http://www.trainingnewsbuzz.com/motivational-training%E2%80%94can-you-do-it-online/

How would you learn better?

E-learning courses typically come in two different forms or styles: Asynchronous or Synchronous. The main difference between these two types of classes are scheduling and participating but they are both very different and important to consider when deciding if you think you could learn from an e-learning course and then which way is best for you as a student.
In synchronous classes, videoconferencing, webinars, and chat are utilized to put the students and teacher in a virtual "class" thats meets at a specific time. This allows for communication to be instant and the class to be more participative. This may be good for students who need a little more motivation and enjoy more personalized classes with greater interaction.
Asynchronous classes are obviously the opposite. There is no specified time for class and the discussion is done through methods such as discussion boards and e-mail which are less instant. This is a better form on e-learning if you have other commitments and need something more convenient to your time. Unlike synchronous, asynchronous can allow for more cognitive responses because they are not expected immediately.

What do you think makes a good e-learning course? How can these methods be used to help different kinds of learners and types of courses?

http://www.commlabaustralia.com/blog/asynchronous-vs-synchronous-elearning

Local bar owners enforce alcohol compliance training

"Prevention is better than cure" they say. "According to Iowa City and University of Iowa police, the number of public-intoxication arrests from 2010 to 2011 for underage drinkers increased 35 percent". The Iowa Program for Alcohol Compliance Training I-PACT is the first online training program to be implemented to the state of Iowa. Now all local bars in Iowa city force their employees to take the online training. Nowdays, minors using fake ID's and it's getting better and better with technology. This training helps local bars to stay out of problems with the law. It trains them how to not get tricked by those minors who break the law. I think this is a big step towords harm-reduction. 
Do you think this program will help all states to reduce alcohol sales for minors? specially if it's free and doesn't take that long?

http://www.dailyiowan.com/2012/03/28/Metro/27627.html 

Zimbabwe: President to Launch E-Learning Programme

The President Mugabe is expected to launch an e-learning program at Chogugudza Primary school.
It is suppose to target all schools in Zimbabwe by 2015 as the country leads to move towards knowledge based economy.

Read the Discussion Below: 

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa said: "His Excellency the President will officially launch the e-Learning Centre at Chogugudza."

He said Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart will also grace the occasion, where a computer laboratory was built.

Minister Chamisa, however, blasted telephone service providers for profiteering despite reduction of duty and exemption of most of their communication equipment from paying duty by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

"Base stations are coming in duty free and even software and other ICT equipment but the cost is not going down.

"We are currently working with the regulator to review the pricing. There is no system in place.

"We need a new pricing model so that customers get value for their money," Minister Chamisa said.

He said Government will protect the public from unscrupulous telephone service providers and urged them to source for investors not to squeeze the public of their hard-earned cash.

"Service providers should look for investors and never to use customers as investors.

"You will begin to skin the customer alive because you are trying to get money.

"So we will protect customers from unscrupulous activities.

"We don't want price controls," Minister Chamisa said.

He said Zimbabwe had made significant strides in the ICT sector and use of technology had increased from 13 percent to 72 percent.

Minister Chamisa said by 2015 Zimbabwe would be counted among ICT developed countries as the e- Learning programme will also be introduced in clinics and hospitals among other institutions.

He also said e-Governance was already functioning as computers had already been introduced to parliamentarians.

Minister Chamisa said the programme had been received well by parliamentarians and most of them were eager to learn computers.

He said ICT was the backbone of any developing nation and his ministry will ensure that by 2015 every household should have access to or exposed to the digital world.

How does this benefit Africa as a whole?  Will the President's move lead other followers, potentially? If Yes, explain. If No, Do you feel as if by 2015 its to late? 

http://allafrica.com/stories/201203270146.html

Free E-training for Job Seekers

     The use of e-training is not limited to those within the workplace; it can also be used to effectively train those who are unable to find work in the job market. One program through the Albany library seeks to help those looking for jobs gain certifications that will help them stand out. This article posted in the Times Union in October 2011 describes this opportunity and how using e-training can help even with a bad economy. The article discusses how many jobs are available, people are just usually not qualified enough for them. They hope that by training these individuals in commonly used programs such as Quickbooks and Microsoft Office through hours of training and an exam with certification they will be able to develop the local workforce. The process also includes online mentoring and training. Programs like this in the Albany library hope to become national models on ways to use technology and e-training to assist the unemployed in finding jobs quickly. E-learning and e-training can be utilized in many ways to efficiently and effectively help those in need of further certification, in the internal and external workforce of any company. This program in particular is expected to train 100 participants in the area. How can programs like this be utilized and funded to help everyone in tough times?

www.timesunion.com

Universal Technical Systems, Inc. has developed easy-to-use e-learning programs that allow training material to be disseminated as useful UTS. The company allows training material to be shared with a wide range of people. UTS is important because it provides people with educational knowledge with engaging and interactive learning and can contain benchmark testing, animations, calculators, audio, video and even moderators. The benefits of this software eliminates travel so that you can train employees or staff. It eliminates training pressures and reduces training staff as well.

http://www.uts.com/servicedetails.asp?servicecategoryid=5

Distractive driving E-learning course

Smith system is introducing a comprehensive e-training course dedicated to the dangers of distracted driving. The Distracted Driving E-Learning course introduces a new web-based format that will be the platform for future Smith System content. It presents content-rich information on cell phone and other hand held devices while driving which has been identified as the leading cause of collisions and highway fatalities. The course is also unique in the way it addresses the broader spectrum of distractions both inside and outside the vehicle. The e-learning course is unique because it teaches individuals in a "different" way and enables them to learn and interact in a way never thought possible. Smith system hopes to challenge individuals with this new technology in hopes of lowering fatalities here in the U.S.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/smith-system-introduces-distracted-driving-e-learning-course-2012-03-22

E-learning & the shift to digital textbooks

One college in Fort Worth, TX is debating on whether or not to shift their campus to an all "e-learning" digitalized learning environment. Instead of students lugging around their heavy textbooks, they would essentailly have digital textbooks instead of pricy hardbound books. Students would pay less for the digital copy of their textbooks and still get the same learning experience as if it were a textbook. This e-learning experience would be more accomodating for the students and easier to keep up with as well. Students would easily be able to bring their laptop or ipad to class and follow along with what their professor is lecturing on. I believe by allowing e-learning and integrating it within the classroom, students would essentailly be better prepared for class and eventually change the way college campuses operate in all aspects of education. E-learning can open the door to many types of opportunities that may not have seemed plausable 30 years ago.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/02/26/3764554/tcc-studying-shift-to-digital.html

The Future of E-learning

E-learning is a rapidly growing learning tool used for people all over the world and for all ages. Majority of the electronic learning products are purchased for young children prior to entering elementary school or for adults that are out of school trying to further their education. Ambient Insight released that the spending on electronic learning products should double by 2014 based off of data from 2009. Online schools such as University of Phoenix Online, the enrollment from 2008-2009 had increased by 22%. 

These products also include learning devices such as Rosetta Stone, children's tablets from vTech which help enhance reading and talking for young children. Some parents have solely used e-learning with their children to protect them from bullying in public schools. I think that this could be a helpful tool for children to get ahead in school at a young age but I also believe that children should be put in school so that they can experience social interaction. As for adult e-learning is a great thing because it allows you to further your education on your own schedule and from home.   

Source: http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2010/03/03/The-Future-of-E-Learning-Is-More-Growth.aspx?Page=1

E-Training for Primary Teachers

     From the article 'Francophone Africa: E-training for Primary Teachers' from the University World News, a great example of what I see as an untraditional use of E-training and its positive impact on the world. The piece discusses and introduces an experiment focused on e-training. This is a pilot program that is being used to educate and improve the skills primary school teachers in three African countries. By using written, multimedia, and internet resources through this e-training program, over 3,000 teachers are getting further education, which in turn will obviously educate the youth of these places more productively.
     This article shows a very different perspective than what I think most people would typically think that e-training is used for. Instead of big business and the labor force, maybe improving the lives of people. It is no shock that many of the countries in Africa probably do not have the most resources or the best educated teachers. This is a great example of a way to use e-training as a tool to help people with less opportunity and make a huge impact on their lives. What are some other ways that e-training could develop programs that would change lives of people all over the world through things like education?

Source: http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20100617190838649

E-Learning and E-Training: An Overview

E-Learning is defined as an Internet based teaching system according to Dictionary.com
E-Training, on the other hand, has no clear definition, it is something that varies depending on how it is being used. Some people would say that e-training means that it involves a job, i.e. learning a skill to perform a job for your employer, while others may say that it is basically learning to do something via the Internet, computer programs etc. So under that "definition" I would believe that anything and everything that you learn from the use of technology could be considered e-learning simply because it is not your standard face-to-face learning or learning through doing. 


In today's technologically dependant society, e-learning and e-training are becoming more and more popular methods of training employees and students alike. For instance, online universities are growing and growing every year, it is easier for many students to do their learning on their own time rather than sitting in a classroom for hours a week learning something that they can potentially learn just as well through the Internet or a specified website through the school.

So... Here is the million dollar question:
Should employers and schools/professors be more personally invested in students and employees learning experiences or is the new trends of e-learning and e-training a good thing for us as far as correctly and efficiently learning to do the tasks that are asked of us?