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.
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.