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.
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.