There is no one agreed upon definition of elearning. Different definitions are and will be introduced as technologies evolve rapidly day after day. Let’s start with a dictionary definition[i]:
e-learn·ing
ˈēˌlərniNG/
noun
: learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.
Historically, the use of computers, laptops, and projectors inside a classroom to facilitate the learning was considered elearning. Typically, slides, photos, videos, or a combination of them are used in classroom environments (physical classrooms). However, the instructor plays a more important role in the process of elearning.
During the last two decades, we have witnessed huge technological advances, i.e. graphical operating systems, the internet, smart devices, etc. These highly sophisticated and advanced technologies changed every aspect of our lives, thanks to Apple, Microsoft, Google, Intel, and other high-tech companies all over the world.
Luckily, elearning benefited from this boom. As a result, the need for more relevant and revised definitions are required. A contemporary definition for elearning is: the use of electronic devices and modern technology (i.e. computers, smart devices, the internet, etc.) in learning, teaching, and/or training.
Elearning can be online or offline, and usually involves or encourages interactivity between a learner and system (software or internet) or between learners. In other words, the website, software, or device allow interactive learning/teaching/training.
Elearning can be online or offline, and usually involves or encourages interactivity between a learner and system (software or internet) or between learners. In other words, the website, software, or device allow interactive learning/teaching/training.
In this new context, the quality of instructional materials is more important than the instructor’s role in elearning, as an instructor may or may not be present.
Elearning can be offline (USB Flash-based, CD-ROM-based, or App-based) or online (App-based, Network-based, Intranet-based or Internet-based). Online-based elearning is now spreading more and more due to the boom of technology, smart devices, and increased access to the Internet.
Elearning can include text, video, audio, animation and virtual environments, or a combination of them. It is a very rich learning experience that can surpass the learning experience of a conventional classroom[ii].
There are many good examples of elearning. Here are two:
1- Khan Academy:
Established in 2006 by Salman Kahn, Khan Academy offers video-based lectures. Khan Academy introduced over 6,500 online videos in different subjects from primary school, high school, and college. Khan Academy successfully designed and implemented a smart engine that provides millions of problems and tutorials that help students practice and strengthen their understanding. Their YouTube channel is followed by over 3 million learners with over 1.2 billion views!
More information can be found on the Khan Academy website.
2- Coursera:
Unlike Khan Academy, Coursera focuses on professional tutoring and training. Owners of Coursera partnered with many prestigious universities inside and outside the U.S., i.e. Stanford, Duke, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and others. They also partner with high-tech organizations, i.e. Google, AT&T, Microsoft, and others.
Coursera’s instructional materials include short videos, interactive quizzes, study cases, projects, and online support. Learners can take one course and complete it in a few weeks (typically three to four). The other option is to go for a group of related courses in one specialization, which is called a “Nano-degree” and usually it takes up to six months to complete.
More information can be found on Coursera website.
Love it - thanks for the succinct yet meaningful overview of the field of eLearning!
ReplyDeleteOne of the topics which I have really been thinking about lately has been the idea of what Coursera refers to as the "Nano-degree." I think that this is a great idea. In reality, I think that the vast majority of traditional degree programs at universities can be completed in a shorter amount of time and at a higher degree of efficiency and engagement.
What I love about Coursera is that they are working closely with Google, AT&T, and other tech companies in order to develop courses that produce 'graduates' that are guaranteed to be favorable candidates for tech positions at those companies because the companies themselves helped produce the coursework.
It's almost like a larger, digital version of the artisans guilds in the Middle Ages. Similarly to how a blacksmith could study under a group of masters and be safely guaranteed work by accreditation of his peers, it would be AWESOME to see a future where online degree programs were collaboratively developed by companies in the industries for which that degree plan would apply.
Personally, I see us moving in that direction in the next 20 years. The consolidation of the production of learning resources almost necessitates the input of hiring companies as people transition to eLearning.
Hi Nathan
DeleteNano-degree is a great idea as you stated above. It gives learners chance to focus on a specific field, and to study vertically rather than horizontally. Nano-degree also gives learners chance to taste "Reel world problem" and not only theories. I personally think such flexible and self-paced programs will be the future, and you never know, it can be less than 20 years!
if e-learning is described as "the use of electronic devices and modern technology (i.e. computers, smart devices, the internet, etc.) in learning, teaching, and/or training," then couldn't any lesson using tech be considered e-learning? So much of what we do now in the classroom is so much more effective with the use of smart boards, projectors, YouTube, laptops, iPads, etc. Where is the distinction?
ReplyDeleteHi Liana
DeleteAs I mentioned, there is no one definition of eLearning. The answer to your question from a very broad perspective is YES, what you have been doing is eLearning.
Another point to add, the elearning is not equal to online learning. The use of laptops, projectors, and other devices is kind of elearning but not online-learning.
DeleteA good example of online learning is this class (IDE611) as well as the mentioned examples (Khan Academy and Coursera).
Hope this clarifies your points!
Abu, your post about e-learning reminds me of one of the most significant things in the education field, MOOCS. MOOCS（massive online open courses）took the world by storm in 2012. They are still popular today and make massive learning videos and materials accessible to anyone who wants to achieve knowledge. Especially, people who don't have the opportunity to get higher education can also learn a lot from the videos made by many famous universities like Harvard, Stanford,etc.
ReplyDeleteseveral decades ago, we sat in the classroom and took notes on our textbooks. Nowadays, we can even study on the subway. Most of the video-based lectures on the Khan Academy website are about ten minutes. It's easy for the fast-paced people today to focus on instructional videos within 15 minutes, I Think.
Hi Yi Qian
DeleteMOOCs are in the core of elearning. The two mentioned examples, Khan Academy and Coursera are good examples for MOOCs. These videos are changing learning and how people can learn. I copied below message from Khan Academy website. The message is from a student called Mark.
His story is quite inspirational. Mark is a student who had given up on Math and Science and thought he was incapable of ever pursuing a career in a related field. He claims he was always a “C” student growing up and never had a channel to understand topics that interested him in engineering. He found the Khan Academy in 2007 and started watching videos on Trigonometry, Calculus, and even Arithmetic. He decided to go back to school last year to get a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering. He finished his first year in college with a 4.0 GPA for the entire year, including perfect scores on his Calculus and Chemistry final exams. He says, “coming from a background where my GPA graduating from high school was in the 2.0 range. That never would have happened – getting a 4.0 GPA would never have happened without the help I got from the Khan Academy.” He goes on to say, “It has helped me immensely. The impact for me in my life…I see it growing exponentially over the next 20 or 30 years."
Last thing to mention, which is funny too, is that these online videos brought some debate whether these online videos will end traditional universities or not. For example, Stanford University introduced CS221 course online. In that year, there were 200 on campus students, and more than 23,000 online students from all over the world, including North Korea!
If you are interested in this debate, you can read it HERE.
link isn't coming, but you can click on below one,
Deletehttps://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/nov/11/online-free-learning-end-of-university
hi Abubakr,
ReplyDeletecongrats for the introduction of E learning. I had being mixing between E learning and online learning.
thanks for the clarifications.
thanks :)
DeleteI think you will like my next post the most in which I talked about different types of elearning including on-line, off-line, synchronous, asynchronous, etc.
Below is the link for you.
https://abubakr-abdelrasoul.blogspot.com/2017/09/types-of-elearning.html
Thanks for sharing information about e learning. This is really the best online education software which is so convenient and easy.
ReplyDelete