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What exactly is e-Learning?

Oct 12, 2023

There's a lot of talk of someone learning courses online. Chances are you've already taken an online course or two on your own in the past! Utilizing digital programs and tools will only increase in popularity. Technology can be used can help to speed up and improve education goals.

But not all tools and software are made equal. In this post, we'll explain the definition of "e-learning" is actually about, and then look into some of the common ways for implementing it in school classrooms or corporate training courses!

Skip ahead:

What exactly is "e-learning?

eLearning is referred to by a variety of different words, like the term digital learning, as well as remote learning. All of them are similar, meaning that students are getting some part of their education using an electronic or digital channel. However, there are some variations in the core ideas of eLearning:

E-Learning term Defines the term "e-Learning"
eLearning The method through that a student can be in a position to gain access to the content of their education via the use of electronic or digital channels regardless of distance of the institution and the student.
Learning through electronic means It is the same concept that is utilized for eLearning. It was however the first term that was employed prior to the time that eLearning began to grow in its popularity.
Virtual learning Instruction offered to students almost exclusively via digital platforms.
Remote education The learning that is provided to students from a different location, which may leverage the utilization of technology, either digital or physical for aiding the learning process. Often, it is referred to as distance learning.

The benefits of e-learning

  • Accessibility: Anyone with an Internet connection can access and review the information provided by these tools. Additionally, they provide a selection of formats to allow the interpretation of the latest sources of information.
  • The cost-efficiency factor is usually a determining factor in determining whether the expense for setting up an E-Learning tool or several can be a lot less expensive than the cost of the hiring of additional employees. This is true especially as digital learning tools can help simplify repetitive administrative and time-consuming tasks.
  • It is possible to keep track of performance that is necessary for reporting on compliance as well as student performance reports. It's fast to generate reports which are generated automatically by the application and, as they're available online, they're easily shareable to colleagues or educational facilitators as well.

Additional important eLearning terms to know

To help you understand the vast subject of online learning, reference this simple chart with the definitions of other discussed words!

Word The definition of HTML0
Instructor-led An approach to teaching where there is at least one instructor (the teacher) who acts as the instructor in the class. The instructor may be present with the class or connecting with students online.
Self-sufficient The method of teaching is one in which students are required to track their own development. The content of the course is presented as a set of instructions that students are required to use these resources and finish assignments, without the guidance of the instructor.
Synchronous learning Students learn in while teachers are teaching. This is the kind of learning that takes place in class.
Asynchronous method of learning Students learn the material in a different manner as opposed to when the teacher teaches the material. This type of learning that occurs in the context of students who need to read the article before class, for example.

The most recent rise in electronic learning

Although it certainly has existed for a considerable time, it's not always been popular as it is now. Prior to the advent of eLearning, it was common to observe remote learning methods, especially in rural areas. Communities that weren't able to offer a wider range of educational courses or provide support for students who are delayed could rely on online learning for filling these needs. However, in 2012, 21.4% of higher education students had already enrolled for at least one online course.

The year 2020 saw a record increase in studying online due to the flu epidemic that had forced most students to enroll in online classes instead of classroom classes in person. Tools like Zoom let educators and learners to connect online, and 60% of university students took online courses frequently. The market for investing in new tools then increased 6X when comparing 2017 to 2021 and is already projected to reach US$166.60bn by 2023.

Fundamental eLearning principles

There are some key fundamentals that the vast majority of programs for learning and teaching is based. These fundamentals are crucial as they form the foundation of making a great software or instrument that will enable eLearning to be practical and accessible.

Interactivity

In classrooms that are physically based, students can have questions answered or get practical experiences through various labs or experiments, and get immediate feedback from their peers or instructors. The most effective eLearning software will offer some level of this interactivity to the student. If there is no interaction the students may become disengaged, get bored of the subject of the course or find it difficult to grasp the fundamental ideas.

Learner-centered

Engagement

To keep the students engaged in the long term is a major issue that teachers have to confront. To overcome this problem, a study actually proved that students would like teachers to use a variety of teaching methods in order to keep their attention during classes. Utilizing e-learning software may help to increase engagement by identifying innovative ways to engage students as well as improve retention of lessons and encourage creativity by assisting with any way to improve how students perform in the classroom.

Accessibility

Students should be able comprehend and access the information in a course so they are able to learn. The software used in online learning must be able to accommodate different requirements of learners. There are even a ton of accessibility rules that apply to online learning platforms, which can be beneficial to instructors as well as learners to be aware of.

The most common kinds of software are those used for eLearning

eLearning is a vast term that covers all sorts of electronic tools and devices that help students study more effectively. There's an abundance of different devices, but we're covering a few key categories to know more about:

Systems for learning management (LMS)

 Examples of LMS tools:

Virtual engagement tools

Virtual engagement tools are excellent to help students engage with each other and their learning content. There are many ways to accomplish this. Some of them include facilitating group work, conducting questions during class, taking polls to gather feedback, promoting visual collaboration, or making your students feel like they have accomplished a lot of homework.

 Examples of tools for virtual engagement:

Tracking student progress software

Although certain LMS platforms allow you to keep track of student progress, you might opt for an option to track it on your own if you do not wish to use an eLearning program for the bulk of your course. The ability to track the development of your students as well as their grades digitally lets you easily communicate performance data with parents or supervisors.

Progression tracking example software for eLearning:

3 common challenges and possible strategies for digital tools that can be used to improve

HTML1Challenge 1: Accessing online learning in areas with a low or no Internet connectivity

Digital gap is an issue that's common in integrating eLearning tools in large. It's more common in the rural and underdeveloped regions not having access to the Internet, which makes it difficult for students in the areas that are not connected to take part in classes online.

Solution: Teachers in these areas can employ an amalgamation of traditional and eLearning methods. traditional methods. The methods employed in eLearning must less dependent on Internet connections and should still be focused on the core eLearning principle of learner-centricity, as well as improving the accessibility or engagement of learners.

One instance of one eLearning tool for areas with restricted Internet access would be an electronic reader. They will let students browse an array of ebooks on the same device, track the way they read, change the screen for ease of use, and even view difficult words on the built-in dictionary.

2. Introducing students to the e-learning tools

It can be a challenge to master the art of reading and write, create documents, or communicate virtually. It is even more difficult when you work with team members who are younger members, or people that don't have the necessary technological expertise.

Solution: Check if your eLearning software provider provides any materials for learning available to students in your class. You should try to make these learning materials available in a format that's easy for your students to grasp, such as printing a hard copy of instructions.

Additionally, ensure that you have an easy-to-follow training plan for your classes to master the use of instructional tools. It's important to explain what benefits eLearning tools offer your students to help them understand the benefits of getting adopt the latest technologies. In this manner, make sure that you are available and ready to answer any questions the students have regarding the program you select and to be patient as the tools take some time to get used to new technologies.

Challenge 3. Integrating your E-Learning tools into your tech stack

The main thing that is often ignored of using eLearning software is the requirement to interface with different software or equipment that's being used.

Solution: Talk to the seller you're purchasing from to make sure of the compatibility of the tech before you commit to the deal. It is possible to check this directly on the website of the vendor or by contact with a sales representative.

If you're a tech expert with the capabilities to write custom software that integrates with your platform, you may be able create your custom integration. Additionally, speak to your supplier about available APIs or open-source parts for the platform, which can allow users to get their technology stack to be aligned.

How do I use eLearning at school?

eLearning is most well-known as a tool used in school system. There are unique applications especially for middle school, high school, and university students. It is also possible to use greater or lesser online educational tools, depending on the type of instruction and how much involvement the content requires.

Contacting parents and guardians

For elementary schools Parents and guardians have a large role to play in the education of their children. The E-Learning program can produce and disseminate reports in a way that makes it easier for teachers to create those messages by themselves. Some tools are equipped to gather the feedback of parents or other notes to aid further the growth of your child.

In the event that academic advisors and schools must examine the student's progress throughout time, you can employ eLearning programs for historical reports. The report will include the subjects the student studied along with their results, as well as the issues or concerns they have shown. It's much more reliable as opposed to relying on memory or notes made by hand, which may not provide all the context needed for the particular situation.

Helping to make assignments easier

All over the system of education. teachers must ensure that the content they provide is available to learners of all abilities. Many eLearning platforms offer customization options that allow students to turn down the volume of their audio, go over material several times alter the size, color, and even conduct text-to-speech. Specific tools may also be capable of automatically translating to, delineate and spell out the contents that can help students that do not have instant access to an instructor to provide this type of support.

If you're a teacher, and you're accountable for the development of at least twenty students at a time. Professors teaching at university, class sizes may range from as low as 100 to 300 students at once! It's difficult to assess the progress of each student, and also keep track of the particular learning needs of each unique student. As a result, you might not see all the details of how the class actually is going throughout your course.

If you look at overall report of class by your eLearning program Look for trends as well as outliers. These patterns can assist you to determine which topics students complete the most efficiently or slowly and also let you know what topics are interesting or difficult. Outliers will help you identify students who are able to master or have difficulty understanding course concepts. There is a possibility to work with the top academic students in mentoring students in need of extra support!

In addition, we can provide additional support for education

Based on the data you collect through eLearning tools, from the perspective of a teacher, you'll identify those students that require additional assistance. You can then pair these students with a teacher or use additional support tools directly through the program. It's an excellent method to ensure that your students have the support they require, without having the attention of before their peers. It can also be beneficial in distance learning courses in cases where you aren't able to provide the assistance to students face-to-face.

How to use eLearning for corporate training

Costs for training programs are reduced

The training programs required for compliance or onboarding have traditionally been conducted by an instructor. The cost of bringing in instructors to teach your employees also includes expenses for travel hotel, accommodation and the expense of hiring the instructor, as well. If you're training to prepare for certification, then you may also have take into account certification costs along with the required materials and books.

Because of eLearning platforms, the cost of running training programs decreases significantly. However, if you choose to continue having instructors in charge of the training program, it's no longer required to arrange travel or physical classrooms. Instead, the material could be delivered virtually through the use of videoconferencing equipment. Furthermore, you could record and play back the class at the future!

Enhancing the knowledge of the product

The LMS tool is a well-known form of eLearning technology as they enable businesses to build product knowledge databases. Teams within the company can produce videos explaining the latest product features, policies and other training that is required. When new employees are brought on board, they can count on the info center to build product knowledge. It's the same for existing employees. It's an excellent resource for any employee or client that needs a refresher of their product also! It's easy and fast to update the LMS by adding new video and information every when a new feature or product launches. A central information database that provides product information also decreases the possibility of misinformation spreading throughout the business.

Making sales programs more effective

Sales representatives play a challenging task that requires them keep track of each newly released feature, and present it in front of the client to prove that it meets the specific requirements of the customer. In a bigger sense, it could be challenging and exhausting creating unique content for each prospect.

E-learning software can be an excellent tool to help make sales programs more effective through managing, hosting, and sharing the content. Sales executives then only have to choose the product information videos or information sheets that they would like to distribute and send it out to any potential customer. Then, it's simple to monitor progress and determine how much information the prospect has used up. Sales managers are notified whenever the lead's information is removed or is not complete and leads the prospect to reach them directly for more assistance.

New hire onboarding programs that scale

If you're part of a growing team, it's likely that you don't have enough time to train all the new employees who join. Tools for eLearning could be an ideal place for new employees to get acquainted with the policies of the organization, its products procedures, objectives, and processes. Human resource managers are able to log on to the software to track the development of courses which are mandatory. Additionally, it makes sure that every new hire receives all the information they need to get started so no one is left uninformed or forgotten in the initial days!

Ensuring compliance regulations are adhered to

The compliance regulations typically contain a learning or training component. For instance employees might be expected to renew the CPR or security training every several years. Having training programs built and managed in a central eLearning platform allows team managers as well as compliance auditors to prove the date on which the training took place. eLearning systems can specify exactly which employees completed each section of training and at what moment in the time. Better yet, you can also get notified when compliance training has to be renewed!

Accessibility improvements at work

Like eLearning used within the education system, you can also use this technology to make it easier for employees to access information in the workplace! As an example employees that require more time to read through details can do so via an eLearning platform that will improve participation, motivation, and align with the goals of the project.

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