Five Significant Developments in eLearning - Report Example

ELearning Define eLearning ELearning simply entails the utilizing of electronic technologies to facilitate learning and access educational curriculum outside of the confined traditional classroom (Haythornthwaite & Andrews, 2011). The eLearning refers to the course, program or degree delivered via online either partly or completely (Haythornthwaite & Andrews, 2011). Other terms used to describe learning delivered online include distance education, computerized electronic learning and internet learning among others. Summarize at least five significant developments in eLearning over the past ten years. The institution of technology saw a steady rise in the use of the technologies in facilitating basic processes of life including education. In 1995, the number of American corporations and institutions using online learning was only 4% (Informing Science Institute, 2011). This was before the establishment of the eLearning term, which was instituted in 1998. Since then, eLearning continued growing at a fast rate, changing the various training and learning platforms. Recent statistics reflect that about 77% of the American corporations and learning institutions utilize some aspects of online learning (Informing Science Institute, 2011). The development of online learning platforms initially entailed the application of the learning platforms within the corporate sector. The corporate sector was first in fully embracing the power of eLearning and its entire benefits. The corporations use the online learning elements to facilitate job training and improvement of their skills. The education platforms embraced eLearning fully in the later years, offering courses, degree programs and other learning content in the services offered. The institutions of higher learning adopted eLearning, and later the K-12 schools, facilitating some partial and others complete learning services (Holmes & Gardner, 2012). Additionally, another notable development in eLearning is the growth of the service financially. The technologies, as they evolved, eLearning incorporated these technological advancements, reducing the costs of accessing education. These constitute the developments established in eLearning over the years it is in existence. Evaluate at least three primary benefits of providing and offering high quality training courses and programs to employees and learners in businesses, K-12 schools or institutions of higher education. In the early days of inception, some people received eLearning with skepticism as they thought that introducing computers into the classrooms would eliminate the human element that the learners may need. However, with time, technology progressed, advancing the development of eLearning; thus, people in the industry embraced eLearning accordingly. ELearning has several benefits, whether used for personal or in-house training. First, eLearning is remarkably cost effective and time saving (Informing Science Institute, 2011). This benefit applies to the people in employment or institutions of higher learning. The consideration reflects that for the employees, taking time from office to attend lessons would waste a lot of time and increase the costs for the employee. Similarly, for student at far distance from the learning institution, the time taken to travel is significantly high. The costs for boarding for the student in higher eLearning institution are also high. However, by adopting the use of eLearning and doing away with physical lectures, online learning helps save money and time (Informing Science Institute, 2011). Thus, it increases the productivity of the individual, as well as, helps them focus in the learning processes. Secondly, eLearning facilitates lots of flexibility. The students that take online learning take their coursework from anywhere since the only requirement is a computer and internet connection. Thus, this allows the students to continue with other works at their convenience (Informing Science Institute, 2011). Thus, the introduction of eLearning allowed the users to adapt to learning from anywhere at any time they feel most convenient. Therefore, it reduces the factors of stress and busy life associated to having to attend scheduled classes on a routine. Moreover, the option of eLearning presents the applicant to the course with a variety of schools to chose (Informing Science Institute, 2011). Notably, eLearning allows the person to take classes from anywhere they are located. Therefore, this feature allows the person to select any learning institution from anywhere; hence, giving the candidates a variety of choices for the schools. Analyze at least three (3) primary reasons some businesses, K-12 schools, or institutions of higher education are hesitant or choose not to offer full online courses and programs. The presentation of online learning from its inception faced rejection from the people opinionated that it would eliminate the role of the human element required in teach (Holmes & Gardner, 2012). This fear grew, leading to the establishment by various learning institutions and corporations that indeed, eLearning does remove the social interaction expected in the traditional learning classrooms. The interaction provided in online learning within chat rooms or via emails does not compare to the interaction experienced in traditional classroom; hence the reason various institutions of learning oppose the use of eLearning (Holmes & Gardner, 2012). Additionally, with the increasing rise of fake degrees and academic qualifications, some employers stigmatize eLearning as an option through which these invalid certificates originate (Holmes & Gardner, 2012). Therefore, majority of businesses and employers are hesitant to accept the certificates gained through taking a course online. The course taken and the skills gained may not be ideal for the future of the job fields. Thus, this constitutes a reason why they are hesitant to accept the eLearning courses and programs. Lastly, the use of online learning requires adaptability to new technologies, facilitation that most users of the same may not access (Bates, 2010). Thus, this can impair the process of learning for the individual. Further, the program offered online may not have all the courses expected to complete the degree. This includes courses that require practical lessons as crucial elements, such as nursing which requires working directly with the patients. Therefore, from these forgoing reasons, the various entities are hesitant to accept eLearning. Predict the extent to which eLearning will replace the traditional face-to-face learning in K-12 and higher educational settings. The introduction of eLearning option received remarkable support from its advantages as it facilitated over the traditional classrooms. Notably, although the society is resistant to change, the institutions of learning are fully embracing the option of eLearning. Notably, consider the factors associated with traditional classrooms, these include, physical books, which are bulky to carry (Bates, 2010). The use of chalk and dust, space required to cater for the teaching space to accommodate students; the costs associated in facilitating the physical classrooms, all are expenses to the institution of learning (Broadbent, 2012). However, with the introduction of eLearning, the student only requires the brand name of the institution and its certificate. The learning materials are online and the classes are virtual eliminating the question of possibly having to undergo the challenges that come with traditional classrooms. Additionally, currently the percentage of institutions offering online option for the students is more than 70% of all learning institutions (Haythornthwaite & Andrews, 2011). Thus, observing this growing trend, the use of eLearning will soon override the entire aspect of traditional classrooms, leaving only few options such as those courses that require practical lessons only to have the traditional classroom setting. Recommend at least three ways technology will be needed to support and sustain the eLearning process. The establishment of eLearning programs grew with the advancements in technology that occurred in the later years. ELearning based contend requires access to internet, and fast reliable internet for this case. Thus, with the inception of the reliable cable networking services across the globe, this is a key requirement for sustain the eLearning process in future (Bates, 2010). Secondly, technology incorporates a growing innovation rate for gadgets that facilitate access to online services. The inception of the smart phones and related easily portable devices with higher processing capability is another development that will sustain eLearning, as the students will have the choice to access eLearning services from their devices including phones (Haythornthwaite & Andrews, 2011). Moreover, eLearning will require the facilitation of specially designed learning professionals that facilitate and manage the learning processes; hence, maintaining the authenticity and reliability of the course content. This will further the sustaining of the online learning processes. References Bates, T. (2010). Technology, e-learning, and distance education. London [u.a.: Routledge. Broadbent, B. (2012). ABCs of e-learning: Reaping the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer. Haythornthwaite, C. A., & Andrews, R. (2011). E-learning theory and practice. Los Angeles: Sage. Holmes, B., & Gardner, J. (2012). E-learning: Concepts and practice. Los Angeles: SAGE Publ. Informing Science Institute. (2011). Advanced priniples of effective e-learning. Santa Rosa, Calif: Informing Science Press. Read More