How Important Is E-learning Within The Digital Age?

How Important Is E-learning Within The Digital Age?

How Important Is E-learning Within The Digital Age?

The E-learning digital age implies profound changes , both within the behavior of people and in groups and organizations.

Thanks to the evolution of the web and digital media, a huge amount of data is exchanged at every moment, including new methodologies, solutions and ways of handling different situations.

Scholars of this point describe the present corporate world from the acronym VUCA , which means:

Volatile : filled with dynamic and fickle changes

Uncertain : time-honored standards are questioned in the least times
Complex : several internal and external factors impact decisions, in order that there’s no single right path
Ambiguous : reality are often interpreted from different points of view, which makes assertive decision-making difficult. For more details check course management system.

In this scenario of uncertainties and fast-paced changes, professionals and corporations got to remain updated and relevant to make sure their competitiveness , which needs constant adaptations in educational content and tools.

Hence the importance of e-learning, which promotes interaction, exchange of data frequently and allows for faster updating, without the scholar having to attend an academic institution.

Advantages and drawbacks of e-learning

Betting on e-learning adds several benefits for teachers, tutors, students, companies and academic institutions.

Below, we list the most advantages :

The training is student-centered, allowing them to follow their own pace of studies
Access to classes and modules from anywhere within the world, with few resources (computer/smartphone/tablet and internet)
Possibility to review on the simplest days and times

Allows the exchange of data between students, teachers and tutors

Savings on amounts spent on transportation to an academic institution
When compared to the face-to-face modality, e-learning features a lower cost
Favors student autonomy, which tends to extend learning

It expands the resources utilized in teaching, including complementary materials, interactive content, videos, games, among others

Provides quick updates for company employees
Automates tasks, dispensing monitoring of attendance and registration of activities by the teacher.
Now get to understand some disadvantages of e-learning:

Lack of private contact and socialization
Longer waiting time to resolve queries

It asks for nice autonomy and self-discipline on the a part of the scholar
Requires fast internet (broadband) for access to content and classes
May make it difficult to know more practical content
It may raise doubts about the authorship of the activities, because the teacher/tutor doesn’t observe the scholar directly.

Types Of E-Learning

Within the e-learning modality, there are some subdivisions that suggest the world and therefore the way interactions occur within the LMS platform.

It is also possible to differentiate e-learning from so-called b-learning, a format that mixes distance classes and activities with face-to-face situations.

The term b-learning may be a contraction of blended learning , that is, of a hybrid learning , still referred to as blended learning .

Like e-learning, b-learning requires a platform for sharing content and communication tools at a distance.

Generally, face- to- face meetings are held to supply shifts for questions or apply exams, which guarantees that they’re going to be performed by the scholar .

The Most Popular Sorts Of E-learning Are:

Educational

This is the foremost common modality, bringing together the numerous open , professional, technical and preparatory courses .

It is worth noting the increasing adoption of e-learning by education institutions , leading to a good range of undergraduate and graduate courses during this format.

E-learning breaks the geographical barrier , taking different backgrounds and connecting teachers to students living in remote locations, for instance .

It also allows for reduced monthly fees, since the more students, the lower the individual investment needed to take care of the course.

Corporate

With an eye fixed on technological innovations, modern corporations soon began to take a position in e-learning to coach employees .

Nowadays, even smaller companies and young entrepreneurs have incorporated e-learning as an choice to keep up-to-date – and competitive – in their market.

Due to their versatility, the courses offered in e-learning enable the dissemination of personalized content for companies, standardizing integrations and various training.

The modality also reduces costs with the qualification of the workforce, because it isn’t necessary to buy the printing of materials, hiring instructors or renting auditoriums to hold out the training.

Synchronous X asynchronous e-learning
The two-way communication in e-learning platforms can occur in two ways: synchronous or asynchronous.

The first refers to synchronicity, indicating the situations during which the scholar follows the content, participates in debates and resolves doubts in real time.

Instant messaging tools (online chats) and video conferencing are the simplest known samples of synchronous mechanisms.

But, counting on the virtual learning environment, the scholar can have instruments like the electronic whiteboard, a version that permits the collaborative creation of drawings and texts during live classes.

E-learning

Interaction is that the main advantage of the synchronous format, which needs availability of dates and times in order that all students and therefore the teacher are on the e-learning platform.

The asynchronous way of communication, on the opposite hand, describes situations during which information is exchanged at different times, through tools like e-mail, agenda, discussion forums and students’ personal pages.

Asynchronous e-learning allows the scholar to send questions, suggestions and comments at any time of the day or night, without having to stay logged in to the platform to attend for a solution .

On the opposite hand, it prevents a richer and more direct interaction with colleagues, teachers and tutors.

What Is EaD Platform?

Normally, the term EaD platform corresponds to an e-learning platform , supported LMS ( Learning Management System ) technology.

It is a system that concentrates all the content, communication and evaluation tools of 1 or more online courses.

In addition, several educational institutions have used EaD platforms as support for on-site training , extending contact with students and facilitating the monitoring of support materials, dates and appointments.

E-learning: what's it, how does it work and the way to use it in corporate?

E-learning: what’s it, how does it work and the way to use it in corporate?

E-learning may be a sort of distance education that uses computational and audiovisual resources to market learning to an individual , a gaggle or a community.

Like other expressions utilized in the sector of technology, the term “e-learning” was borrowed from English, like an abbreviation for electronic learning – or electronic learning .

E-learning exists only within the context of the popularization of private computers and therefore the internet, which enabled the moment exchange of data and facilitated the sharing of materials at a distance.

If, before the digital age , it had been necessary to send handouts, CDs and other items via mail in order that the scholar could follow the classes, today he can download these files or access them within the cloud.

Cloud is that the name given to the storage place on the web , apparently unlimited which houses spaces protected by passwords, encryption and other security mechanisms.

From websites, e-mails, forums, instant messaging applications and videoconferences, e-learning enabled not only the sending of content to the scholar , but also the likelihood for him to reply .

Through the online , the scholar comments, clears doubts, is evaluated and communicates with colleagues, teachers and tutors.

All he must do is have access to a virtual learning environment – an area that doesn’t physically exist, but gathers all the contents that structure the course or class administered through e-learning.

When Did E-learning Come About?

Depending on a virtual learning environment, e-learning as we all know it emerged at the top of the 20th century , when the web became accessible to most of the people .

It was from the planet Wide Web application , created by Tim Berners-Lee , in 1990, that information began to be easily shared, through its own language: HTML ( hypertext terminology ).

Combined with the commercial use of the Windows 95 system (from Microsoft), the invention of the online gave users the likelihood to browse the web during a simple way, without requiring programming knowledge.

This environment favored interaction between Internet users never seen before, which allowed for bidirectional communication .

When extended to courses, it allowed the scholar to prevent being a mere spectator and consumer of the content to assume a proactive posture , which is one among the hallmarks of e-learning.

As a modality of distance education, some say that electronic learning was born within the 19th century, when correspondence courses appeared.

In addition to those formats, other information and communication technologies (ICTs) before the web served to spread information, like radio and tv .

However, these devices didn’t allow real-time interaction, except when supported by phone calls or conference calls.

Until the web and therefore the web overcame this barrier, offering content available online , in an interactive way which allow management of the activities administered by the scholars .

How Does It Work?

E-learning works using two different formats: with or without learning management .

In the beginning, there have been only the unmanaged models, which worked by distributing content saved on floppy disks and, more recently, on CDs and pendrives.

This format was widely criticized by education professionals, because it didn’t leave monitoring and correction of the activities administered by the scholar , making an assessment and management of learning impossible.

To solve this problem, educational institutions began to develop and use specific virtual learning environments, generally through LMS ( Learning Management System ) platforms .

Inspired by the characteristics of classrooms , these systems have intuitive interfaces and channels that enable communication between students, colleagues and tutors.

What Is The Difference Between E-learning And Distance Education?

We mentioned above that e-learning are often defined as a kind of distance education (EaD).

This is because the term distance education refers to a group of learning modalities during which teacher and student are in several places .

According to the web site of the Ministry of Education (MEC):

“Distance education is that the educational modality during which students and teachers are physically or temporarily separated and, therefore, it’s necessary to use information and communication means and technologies.

This modality is regulated by specific legislation and may be implemented in basic education (youth and course , high school technical professional education) and in education .”
What are the most components of e-learning?

A virtual learning environment, where e-learning is developed, must have four main components :

two way communication
collaborative learning
Well-structured content
Assessment instruments.
Below, inspect details about each.

Two Way Communication

It consists of an interactive communication , during which all participants are, at an equivalent time, senders and receivers, that is, they send and receive information.

This component arises from the thought that the scholar is that the centerpiece of distance learning and, therefore, must contribute to the teaching process during a proactive way.

Thus, both students and colleagues and tutors learn and teach through e-learning platforms, using instruments synchronously (in real time) or asynchronously.
collaborative learning
This concept refers to the likelihood for college kids to figure in groups , seeking a standard goal.

Modern e-learning platforms have instruments that allow interaction and favor this collaboration among colleagues, even at a distance.

 E-learning

They can, for instance , use chat to debate a topic , exchange knowledge via email and even collectively assemble papers and presentations, using online editing tools.

Well-Structured Content

The content itself and therefore the way it’s organized are of paramount importance in any learning process, but they become even more relevant in e-learning.

And it isn’t hard to know why.

In face-to-face education, the scholar has direct and private access to the teacher’s knowledge, having the ability to question him during the category .

In electronic learning, he can consult tutors when necessary, but he won’t always have his doubts resolved at the time he studies.

8 Sorts Of Organizational Employee Trainings For Companies

8 Sorts Of Organizational Employee Trainings For Companies

1. In-Person Trainings With A Teacher

This type of organizational training resembles a classroom where students sit at their desks and await the teacher to transmit all their knowledge on a specific subject. this sort of coaching is that the most traditional, being the sole trainings method employed by 13% of organizations .

A subject matter expert or manager prepares a category , usually in lecture style, and presents the content face-to-face to the team.

This method has been around for an extended time and has many benefits, such as:

Personal interaction

Creates the environment and provides the proper resources for “students” to interact with instructors
Strengthens the building of relationships between the trainer and therefore the employee

2. Orientation [mainly for brand spanking new employees]

Orientation may be a sort of training aimed toward welcoming new company hires, and takes place within the employee’s first days within the new role.

This type of coaching is more aimed toward introducing the worker to the company’s culture, also as presenting strategic objectives and relevant information about the position, departments and management. generally , it’s a part of onboarding.

It involves submitting information related to:

Mission, vision and values of the company;
Corporate culture ;
Organization structure, like chart , flowchart, leaders;
may involve presentation of goals;
a complete description of what’s expected of the new hire and what their duties and obligations are;
Main corporate policies

3. Onboarding Training

It is strategically created with the aim of enabling new employees to be as successful as possible in their new roles, within a brief adaptation period.

Trainings must start on the primary day of labor and may continue for the whole first year. It all depends on the corporate and therefore the functions that the new hire will perform.

This  is usually prepared by department leaders with attention on achieving their goals and connecting them to the company’s overall objectives.

4. Trainings To Develop Technical Skills

Nobody knows everything. Learning is an ongoing process. Keeping these phrases in mind is that the formula for a way to create a successful team .

This type of organizational training allows the worker and their team to:

carry out their daily activities with quality and agility;
meet and exceed goals;
achieve continuous improvement of daily work processes.
Imagine that a replacement machine was inserted within the company’s production , it’s necessary that the workers are technically prepared to use it.

5. Soft Skills Development Training

The behavior of your employees and their technical skills. The social skills, or Soft Skill, are coping skills that has got to be developed so as to make a top quality work environment, healthy and harmonious.

Developing this sort of coaching is critical to establishing the organizational culture your business desires.

Among the talents to be developed are:

agile and efficient communication skills;
proactivity and initiative in solving problems;
leadership training
emotional intelligence;
ethic;
cooperation between teams and employees; and more.

6. Mandatory Trainings [eg: work safety]

Depending on the world during which your company operates, some trainings is mandatory.

For example, employees of an industry or maybe construction companies are often required to undergo training and updates on safety at work.

7. Coaching  Mentoria

Consider implementing a trainings or mentoring program to enrich organizational sorts of training across companies and achieve even more impressive business results by increasing employee retention and job performance. 77% of companies say their mentoring program improves strategic business results.

Coaching and mentoring, however, are continuous and individual employee development programs. this will mean more expenses and longer invested in training. Do the maths and understand if it’s worth creating this program at this time.

8. Distance Trainings

We started this text talking about face-to-face training and there’s no better thanks to end it, introducing the space training modality.

This type of organizational training doesn’t require the presence of a teacher throughout the training. The lesson is stored on a web server via an internet site or web application .

The EAD trainings are in audio-visual format and permit the inclusion of resources like support videos and reading to accompany the courses.

They are interesting because they’re scalable. That is, once training is recorded it are often viewed thousands of times as long as its content is current.

Employee Trainings

Do you know the differences and benefits of online training? Understand now the importance of this system for your specialization!

Thus, with the entry of latest employees, it’s not necessary for a teacher to show the training again. Just present the videos to the collaborator.

There are several advantages of distance trainings in companies :

Significant improvement in personal and consequently collective results

Improvement within the quality of delivery of products, services and relationships
Increased knowledge and autonomy of employees and more.
Regardless of what sorts of business organizational training you select , having a successful educational program is critical to the expansion of any business.

If your employees aren’t continually learning and growing with industry trends, they’re falling behind then are you.

Ready to start trainings your team? If you would like our help, CAE for Business is there for it! We found out a customized proposal for you to coach your team on our platform.

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