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
I would not say learning "better" is achieved online. The positives and negatives are endless. I use e-learning all the time for military training. This has been an increasing training strategy for the past 10 years. The best positive is that it saves a TON of money in training costs. The worst negative is that sometimes the quality of information and learning objectives are not always met.
ReplyDeleteIn a classroom environment teacher to student interaction ensures that the students are paying attention and knowing the material. With E-learning books and notes can be used for tests, info can be used from other students, they can work together, and it is harder to quantify how students should be graded.
Another big issue that I have seen is that if questions answered are documented and saved they can be used the next time if it's annual training. These programs NEED to be updated on a yearly bases at least. This will ensure the information is learned and used on the test, just not transferred from one year to the next to "just get it done."
E-training / learning can be done anywhere, anytime and by anyone. I have used this training in countries all over the world. It ensures everyone is getting the same information the same way and training is consistent in large organizations no matter how many locations.
Another possible down side is that companies NEED to make sure enough computers are available for all the training to get done. This seems logical, but the issue has been a concern A LOT, now and in the past. Employees should not have to wait to use the training computers to get it done. Also, Computers need to be updated and kept up to the speed that is expected. TOO many times, trainees get very frustrated on waiting for the computer because it can’t handle the program or load of information being transferred online. A program that should take 2 hours to complete, takes all day, this is a colossal waste of time and money. It happens all the time though!
I think elearning is an very conveninet system that helps peple be able to learn anytime and anywhere. elearning has a big impact on the economics. People learn in many different ways and at different times. These two different ways can ststisfy people's different needs. So this is a good tool to help people avoid the limitations of time, distance and resources to learn materials conveniently.
ReplyDeleteI basically went through my first 2 years at CPCC with 95% of my classes online. You definitely have to be a self-motivated person to be successful in online classes. I find that I essentially teach myself by reading the textbooks and doing any homework or projects assigned. The lectures are basically reinforcement for me, though there are some classes that are harder to take online such as math classes.
ReplyDeleteI think online classes are great, but it really depends on the subject and the instructor in charge of the course. I've only done Asynchronous and that is the best form for me. I have had mixed results mainly stemming from the instructor. If you get a instructor that is on top of things then the class goes well, if you get a disorganized or strict professor the class is terrible. It definitely takes responsibility to do well, but for general ed classes I think online is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteSome online classes are easy depending on the subject and instructor like Matthew stated above, but me personally would never take online classes at UNCC. They just seem like they will be more in depth and require more work then actually attending a class. At CPCC I loved taking online classes because they were easy and CPCC really isn't that hard to pass. UNCC is so difficult and requires alot. I'm still trying to adapt to UNCC.
ReplyDeleteI think that the class work itself is what makes a good e-learning. I'm one of those students who have taken many online courses; the ones that I have learned a lot from are those whom I used to do a lot of work for. However, some of these courses were pointless. I do believe that since it's an online course, it will help learners how to be responsible and do their work, and learn how to do it by themselves, this also can help us getting or skills improved.
ReplyDeleteI took a course in high school that was mostly online. It was less structured which made me less motivated. Although I work well independently, I learn better if I have a structured schedule.
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ReplyDeleteI think e-learning makes the time and places of classes be more flexible. It may help a lot for the part-time students. Such as the Asynchronous online classes may allow the students who have a full time job to find a good time to have class base on their own schedules. However, personally, I would not like to take a class online instead of a class in a classroom on campus. I think not only the words which professor said to us helps me to understand the materials we learned, but also the body movements,and facial expressions of the professors all play significant roles on helping me learning the new materials.
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