Internet Application

E-learning

Education offered using electronic delivery methods such as CD-ROMs, video conferencing, websites and e-mail, often used in distance-learning programmes. At the e-Learning Centre you will find a large collection of selected and reviewed links to e-learning resources. These are categorized into 5 main sections:

1. Library: Links to selected and reviewed articles, white papers, research reports, journal articles and resource collections in the wide field of e-learning.

2. Showcase: Links to examples of interesting online courses, learning materials and other e-learning solutions for business, colleges, universities as well as for general interest.

3. Products & Services: Links to e-learning products and services in 3 categories: e-Learning tools and systems; Off-the-shelf e-learning content and e-Learning service providers (content developers, consultants, etc).

4. Events: Links to conferences, workshops, seminars and short courses in the area of e-learning - both traditional, face-to-face events as well as online events.

5. Bookshop: Links to books about e-learning and online learning.

Advantages of e-Learning

• The A4 of e-Learning –

A) Anytime, B) Any Place, C) Any Pace, D) Any Subject:

e-learning materials can be accessed at the most convenient time for the learning, if the course material is well constructed then learning can take place in short segments and can be customized to suit the learner's needs.

• Empowerment: Students are in charge of their own learning.

• Flexibility: e-learning material can be accessed in a non-sequential way, enabling students to navigate content in different ways, or obtain a global view before tackling the details of individual units.

• Cost Effective: large numbers of students can have access to the same materials but can be supported by peer-to-peer or student-to-tutor support services thus reducing the cost of delivery.

• Updated Content: Course content is located in one place so it can be easily updated and can provide direct links to supporting materials such as Internet and library resources.

• Tailored Learning: the time needed to learn a particular topic or skill is reduced or "compressed" as learning can be modified to suit the users needs and requirements. E-learning can provide a variety of learning experiences including interactive elements.

• Retainable: the smaller and more relevant the learning is the easier it is to capture and remember.

• Socio-inclusive: students can learn in a relatively anonymous environment without the embarrassment of failure and/or socio-cultural bias from personal contact.

• Consistent: all students get the same standardized set of materials from e-learning.

• Interactive: well constructed materials will have elements of interactivity through simulations etc. which will underpin and enforce the learning.

• Collaborative: The use of groups and teams working together in collaborative learning and learner-learner interaction enforces employability skills.

• Used To Track Student’s Performance: student usage of the materials can be monitored and early potential drop-out can be detected and given remedial support.

• Used to make easy understanding: of concepts by offering alternative ways of visualizing materials and alternative explanations to those given in a single delivery mode such as a lecture, seminar or tutorial (for example, multimedia and hypermedia).

• Used to Give immediate feedback: from online self-assessment or formative assessment particularly through multiple choice question formats.

Used for Self Assessment: students can be offered automatically-marked self-assessment exercises to identify skill/knowledge levels and learning needs before engaging with course content.

• Used to support students with certain Disabilities: Access for students with hearing and some physical disabilities may be enhanced.