Introduction chapter I introduction
ADVANTAGE & DISADVANTAGE OF E-LEARNING
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1.9 ADVANTAGE & DISADVANTAGE OF E-LEARNING1.9.1 ADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNINGE-learning is beneficial to education, corporations and to all types of learners. It is affordable, saves time, and produces measurable results. E-learning is more cost effective than traditional learning because less time and money is spent traveling. Since e-learning can be done in any geographic location and there are no travel expenses, this type of learning is much less costly than doing learning at a traditional institute.Flexibility is a major benefit of e-learning. E-learning has the advantage of taking class anytime anywhere. Education is available when and where it is needed. E-learning can be done at the office, at home, on the road, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. E-learning also has measurable assessments which can be created so the both the instructors and students will know what the students have learned, when they've completed courses, and how they have performed. Students like e-learning because it accommodates different types of learning styles. Students have the advantage of learning at their own pace. Students can also learn through a variety of activities that apply to many different learning styles learners have. Learners can fit e-learning into their busy schedule. If they hold a job, they can still be working with e-learning20. If the learner needs to do the learning at night, then this option is available. Learners can sit in their home in their pajamas and do the learning if they desire. E-learning encourages students to peruse through information by using hyperlinks and sites on the worldwide Web. Students are able to find information relevant to their personal situations and interest. E-learning allows students to select learning materials that meet their level of knowledge, interest and what they need to know to perform more effectively in an activity. E-learning is more focused on the learner and it is more interesting for the learner because it is information that they want to learn. E-learning is flexible and can be customized to meet the individual needs of the learners21. E-learning helps students develop knowledge of the Internet. This knowledge will help learners throughout their careers. E-learning encourages students to take personal responsibility for their own learning. When learners succeed, it builds self-knowledge and self-confidence in them. Some other major advantages are: (a) Self paced (b) Time and location flexible (c) Cost effective22 (d) Global teaching phenomenon (e) Large knowledge domain to choose (f) Life time learning options (g) More streamlined and focused (h) Diversified field to select from (i) Sharing of knowledge is easier (j) Labour savings: Save in training salaries (k) Access to large amounts of information can be obtained at low incremental cost (l) Enhance academic productivity (m) Systematic.
1.9.2 DISADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNINGOne disadvantage of e-learning is that learners need to have access to a computer as well as the Internet. They also need to have computer skills with programs such as word processing, Internet browsers, and e-mail. Without these skills and software it is not possible for the student to succeed in e-learning. E-learners need to be very comfortable using a computer. Slow Internet connections or older computers may make accessing course materials difficult. This may cause the learners to get frustrated and give up. Another disadvantage of e-learning is managing computer files and online learning software. For learners with beginner-level computer skills it can sometimes seem complex to keep their computer files organized. Without good computer organizational skills learners may lose or misplace reports causing them to be late in submitting assignments. Some of the students also may have trouble installing software that is required for the class. E-learning also requires just as much time for attending class and completing assignments as any traditional classroom course. This means that students have to be highly motivated and responsible because all the work they do is on their own. Learners with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind. Another disadvantage of e-learning is that without the routine structures of a traditional class, students may get lost or confused about course activities and deadlines causing the student to fail or do poorly. Another disadvantage of e-learning is that students may feel isolated from the instructor. Instructions are not always available to help the learner so learners need to have discipline to work independently without the instructor's assistance23. E-learners also need to have good writing and communication skills. When instructors and other learners aren't meeting face-to-face it is possible to misinterpret what was meant. Some other major disadvantages are: (a) Not immediate feedback. (b) More load for faculty to prepare instructions. (c) Infrastructure requirements. (d) More confusion due to lack of direct interaction.24 (e) Requires more maturity and self discipline. (f) Dropout rates are more; a lonely way to study. (g) Not all aspects of training can be covered using e-learning techniques, e.g. Disciplines. (h) Lack of social impact of peer group in learning and personal development. 1.10 E-LEARNING TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY The Framework identifies flexible learning as a learner entered and client-focused approach that makes use of delivery methods most useful to clients. It includes but is not confined to online learning. E-learning as a component of flexible learning is a wide set of applications and processes which use all available electronic media to deliver vocational education and training. It includes computer-based learning education and training. It includes computer-based learning web- based learning virtual classrooms and digital collaboration and uses. Online or web-based learning (learning via the internet intranets and extranets) is increasingly understood to be a subset of e-learning (technology supported learning). Over the past few years the VET community has developed a mush sharper understanding of how online learning fits into the wider flexible learning strategy. For this reason the Framework documents distinguish between the umbrella term e-learning and the more specific terms online learning so as to capture better the general intent of the framework to support a range of electronic media (Internet intranets extranets satellite broadcast audio/video tape interactive TV and CD-ROM) to make vocational learning more flexible for clients. E-learning is discussed with particular emphasis and relevance to online learning and web-based technologies as these represent the area where most of the effort and data is available. This includes the use of ICT to support face to face delivery blended learning and fully online implementations and covers a variety of technologies form e-mail to integrated learning systems (ILS) stand alone or networked. Most developers still use HTML, Java script, Flash and other such standard tools for e-learning software. But all e-learning developers don’t have access to programming support, or they don’t want to be restricted to simple HTML. This need has given rise to a varied number of commercial as well as open-source software products that could be used as specialist e-learning authoring tools25. Literally speaking, these tools lead to the creation of Digital Learning Environment.
Blogging tools let one create and write to a web-log.26
1.10.2 COLLABORATION TOOLS Collaboration tools27 can be categorized to following types:
1.10.3 CONTENT CONVERTERS File format converters can convert multiple files from one file format to another.
1.10.4 CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS These tools do the task of managing and reusing all types of informational content.
1.10.5 COURSE AUTHORING TOOLS Special purpose tools for creating e-learning courses.
1.10.6 HELP AUTHORING TOOLS Special purpose tools for creating online help files. Author IT -www.authorIT.com Robohelp -www.ehelp.com 1.10.7 LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Simplify the process of administering education and training28. Their primary function is to offer a collection of courses and track what courses learners have taken.
1.10.8 WEBSITE AUTHORING TOOLS To build and link individual web pages to create an interactive website.
1.11 ESSENTIALS FOR E-LEARNING 1.11.1 INTERACTIVITY AND PARTICIPATION The most important thing in e-learning is to ensure that there should be a high degree of interactivity and participation. That means designing and conducting learning activities in such a way that it should result in engagement with the subject matter and fellow students. Coursework should focus on assignments and projects that are relevant and realistic in nature29. It should involve plenty of opportunities for input from the instructor and fellow students. The factor that strongly affects the amount of student interaction and participation is the level of instructor involvement. If the instructor regularly posts messages in the discussion forum or provides comments to students via email, this increases student involvement and participation in a course. So a cardinal rule of good online teaching is that the instructor must participate to get students to do likewise.
E-learning requires good moderating and facilitation skills. Moderating involves encouraging students to participate in discussion forums and conferences, ensuring that certain students don't dominate, keeping discussions focused on the topic at hand, and summarizing/ synthesizing the highlights of discussions. Facilitation means providing information that will help students to complete their assignments, suggesting ideas or strategies for them to pursue in their course work, and getting students to reflect on their responses and work30. 1.11.3 FACULTY COLLABORATION E-learning offers many opportunities for student interaction and it also provided many possibilities for collaboration among teachers and students. Basically the following kinds of collaborations can be thought of:
There is no face-to-face interaction like traditional classroom hence nobody feels ashamed or hesitation to present his/her opinion31. It helps to modify or correct once fault. 1.11.4 STUDENT EVALUATION One aspect of e-learning process that often generates considerable concern for teachers is evaluation of student performance. They worry that they will not be able to assess student understanding or participation properly. But this is a myth. Actually student evaluation can be done far more effectively online than in a traditional classroom setting because of the ease of creating online tests and other forms of assessment32. Online tests can successfully hide students’ as well as teachers’ identity. So the biasness or personal inclination factors can be reduced to a great extent. 1.12 E-LEARNING: AN EMERGING PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH E-learning refers to learning that is facilitated using digital tools and contents. It involves some form of interactivity, which may include online interaction between the learner and their teacher or peers. According to Kaplan-Leiserson33 e-learning covers wide set of applications and processes such as web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms, and electronic collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via Internet, Intranet/Extranet (LAN/ WAN), audio- and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, and CD-ROM. In other words, e-learning is concerned with learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communications technology (ICT). It can cover a spectrum of activities from supported learning, to blended learning (the traditional and e-learning practices), to learning that is entirely online. Whatever the technology, however, learning is the vital element. E-learning is no longer simply associated with distance or remote learning, but forms part of a conscious choice of best and most appropriate ways of promoting effective learning. 1.13 NEW GROUND IN E-LEARNING PARADIGM The library is a hub of any institute or organisation. A hub in a digital network has lots of significance. In that sense, the conventional library should go through some major transformations in terms of its knowledge sources, knowhow of delivery management, and connecting all the above elements with strong bonds. Library is often referred as a heart of the institute of higher learning catering information needs of all the people associated with the institute. As yet, libraries used to furnish the information needs of users by means of their vast print sources. However, now due to the impact of ICTs, this arena is changing rapidly. The new electronic era, having Internet in the forefront, is pushing libraries towards the digital environment. This led libraries to acquire, organise and provide access to electronic resources required for their users. It has made it mandatory for these to have both print and non print collections. Non-print collections include CD-ROM/ DVD databases, online full text electronic journals, databases, e-books, etc. ICT applications have helped libraries in terms of space, time, and cost. In addition to these resources libraries have started using ICT in managing various housekeeping activities of the library, thereby reducing the repetitive processes involved in acquisition, cataloguing and circulation of resources, and time of the users and staff. It is the transformation of the libraries and librarians in terms of their tools, media and the modus operandi in knowledge exploration and management. Information Explosion Websites Traditional Libraries E-journals Electronic Information Sources Subject Databases Information Robots Digitization, Metadata Generation Digital Libraries Federated Search Librarian Playing Key Role in Information Discovery, Management and Customized User interface Information Repackaging and Delivery IPod Webcasting Mobiles Email Forums Blogs, Wikis Figure 1. Transformation of libraries and librarians with knowledge explosion. This has been further complimented by new e-learning environment being introduced in higher education system, where various courses are being offered through Internet, allowing students do away with visiting the universities or colleges. The enhancement of traditional classroom activities with electronic initiatives such as course management system is changing the way of faculty and students access, create, and use information. It is providing new opportunities for libraries to design and to disseminate new services. In other words, e-learning integration offers libraries a powerful medium for reaching faculty and students directly as they engage in teaching, learning, and research. In turn, the integration will enrich services to academic community using traditional library services and offers an opportunity to reach those faculty and students who have began to ignore the library and go directly to the web for their information needs. In other words, libraries have to find strategies for making their resources and services readily available in the environments faculty and students prefer and use, otherwise their existence will be at stake. Libraries in the e-learning environment have already made some progress by providing access to their catalogues, databases, electronic journals, Internet resources, etc. to the user’s community on the Intranet or Internet. However, libraries are still capable of providing many more value-added services, if the following issues are addressed amicably. 1.13.1 PERSPECTIVE OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE (LIS) The issue needs to be resolved for building the bridge between e-learning and LIS profession are: 1.13.1.1 STANDARDS The standards need to be taken into consideration for effective utilization of library resources in the e-learning environment. Firstly, the interpretability standard for exchange of metadata and digital objects between different systems must need to be in place. The standards such as Dublin Core for exchange of metadata need to exist. Secondly, standard for seamless resource discovery mechanisms and scalable solutions are required for effective integration of services. 1.13.1.2 COLLABORATIONS The faculty, library, IT, and instructional design departments need to collaborate in developing sustainable and seamless infrastructure. However, very few institutions systemically attain such a coherent strategic approach. Efforts need to be made in undertaking collaborative work from the beginning to provide effective services. Here library can take a lead in bringing together different coherent groups to maximize the best use of library resources and services. In other words, libraries have to deploy their services in a new learning environment using a technology outside their control. 1.13.1.3 COST CONTROL E-learning environment ensures cost control in the dissemination of information. Even though initial cost of converting resources and services will be higher to suit to e-learning environment, but over a period of time, this will come down, as only maintenance of services will be required in later years. This will have a greater benefit for libraries, as administrators always consider them as spending institutions. Hence, authorities may sanction appropriate budget for libraries to provide access to e-resources and services in the e-learning environment. 1.13.1.4 RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN E-LEARNING ENVIRONMENT In order to support access to crucial electronic resources, libraries organise online tools to provide metadata for online materials, link online index entries to individual journal articles and provide mechanisms for requesting printed articles. Some of the areas, which libraries can provide access to initiate measures to implement are: 1.13.1.5 ELECTRONIC RESOURCES Electronic resources are available in various forms such as databases, journals, pre-print archives, working papers, etc. Some of these are priced but many of them are available free of cost on the Internet. Libraries have to devise a mechanism to identifying the resources required for their users and provide access to them through their website or portal on Intranet or Internet. This will enable users to access these resources remotely from their offices or homes, which is a preferred mode of users in the present e-learning environment. This will also enable distant learners to get benefit of such services. Low and MacColl have shown that the resource discovery has been overlooked as a function of virtual learning environments (VLEs) by vendors34. Recent digital library work based on open architectures and web services has allowed the initially closed environments of VLEs to be opened in order to allow library resources to be searched dynamically with result sets made consistent through metadata mapping and capable of being displayed in a variety of portal interfaces. In this way, library services have been proactively developed in order to be flexibly retrofitted to learning environments. The value of the service oriented approach has been proved, and user studies have encouraged further development, which is likely to include enrichment of discovered resources with user annotation and other useful information, as well as putting resources into appropriate use such as reading lists. Directory: bitstream -> 10603 10603 -> A mathematical theory of communication bitstream -> Methodism and Culture bitstream -> Review of coastal ecosystem management to improve the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area 10603 -> Present state of the area 10603 -> Marine Pollution And Its Effects on Global Environment 10603 -> Chapter-1 Introduction 10603 -> References 10603 -> Bibliography Abd El Halim 10603 -> A thesis submitted to sambalpur university for award of Download 250.62 Kb. Share with your friends:
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