E-Learning

David C. YenChair and Professor

DSC& MISMiami University

Oxford, Ohio 45056

Introduction

• E-learning is the physical separation of teacher and learner

• As technology has advanced and evolved, possibilities for E-learning has greatly expanded

Driving Forces

1. Technological Advancement

2. Correspondence Education

3. Popularity and Convenience of Internet

4. Knowledge Management Trends

Technological Advancement

• Technology education began in 1960s, with instruments such as television, radio, and film used in the classroom to enhance education

• Proved to be an effective educational supplement• In late 1970s and early 1980s, innovative

educators experimented with the use of computers in the classroom

Technological Advancement (Continued)

• By late 1980s, use of computers in classroom declined, as technology had not yet evolved to the point where it was useful and relevant

• In 1990s, computers in the classroom began to steadily grow, with the advent of the personal computer, broadband connections, and digital video

Correspondence Education

• Correspondence education is a very old concept

• Can be traced back to the 1700s when courses were offered by mail

• In the 1800s, correspondence education became part of the international community

• Popularity continued to grow throughout the 1900s

Knowledge Management

1. In addition to traditional resources… Capital, People, and Facility

2. Data availability

3. Data mining and web searching capabilities

4. Knowledge worker and digital economy

Models

• Pure electronic learning, or e-education– Complete absence of physical classroom– Student seeks out program or course online,

registers online, completes all work online, receives credit from an organization that the student may never physically see

Models (continued)

• Different forms of e-learning– Virtual classroom

* Class “meets” in real time, using digital video and broadband application

* Students and teachers can share information and ideas as if they were in a traditional classroom

Models (continued)

- Independent study

* Student is given course material and is

expected to complete all work on his or her

own

* Communication with educational coordinator only

occurs when there are questions or comments

* Programs can be custom built, or instructor can

purchase pre-packaged programs for installation

Models (Continued)

- Partial electronic learning* Students attend school in a traditional

classroom setting

* Distance learning is used to enhance learning process

Models (Continued)

* Most common form of distance learning

* Level of distance learning applications can vary to a large degree

A. Can use only one distance learning tool, such as a website, to supplement the lessons taught

B. Can use a classroom consisting mainly of computers, with physical presence of instructor only for guidance and assistance

Models (Continued)

– Partial electronic learning common for businesses

• Used to keep employees up to date with new technology, develop important technological skills, decrease time and money traditionally spent for employee training

• This model is similar to the click and mortar model of e-commerce

History and Evolution

• Distance learning represents merging of two distinct educational methods: technology education and correspondence education

• Distance learning as a viable educational tool was introduced in the early 1990s, and is continuing to grow and expand rapidly

Table 1

Ages Years Milestones Lessons Learned

Initiation: Distance Learning

Began with correspondence schools. From the 1880’s till today.

Low cost education to remote locations

Rendered more interactive with television, video and other technology.

Growing: Online courses became possible with the emergence of the Internet in the late 1980’s, early 1990’s.

Web pages could now be developed to coordinate course material, and individuals began to become more comfortable with this environment. .

That the Internet can be a great source of information and accessibility.

Maturing: Middle of the 1990’s, with about 90 of these online schools

Computers and the use of the Internet are becoming more accessible to students in terms of cost and comfort levels.

That the Internet is a great way to engage in research and interaction with other learners.

Current Currently; there are 763 Online schools, with over 1 million students attending online classes.

eEducation is becoming more accepted as a means to achieve a quality education.

That it is possible to achieve economies of scale with these courses while maintaining quality instruction.

Future Every university will offer at least a small number of courses online. These courses will become a matter of competition for costs and attracting new students. 10 to 20 years.

Reduced skepticism among educators and students that this is way to receive a quality education.

Wait and see…

Main Characteristics

• Separation of teacher and learner– This separation means that motivation is required on

the part of the instructor and the learner

• Communication– In education it is essential that the learner and teacher

communicate

– Technology has provided many easy ways to do so, such as email, chat rooms, and electronic bulletin boards

Main Characteristics (Continued)

• Proper technology– Proper programs must be developed to meet the

needs of the learners– Must be user friendly to encourage increased

use– Must be accompanied by support services and

materials

Main Characteristics (Continued)

• Training– Many instructors faced with the challenge of

learning to use programs at the same time as the learner

– Students must also receive training to be comfortable with their online environment for real educational progress to be made

Pros

1. Personalized and customized learning

2. Self-paced learning

3. Multimedia

4. Interactive nature

5. Innovation

6. Reducing costs of technology

7. Increased access

Cons

1. Student motivation2. Expensive to set up and maintain3. Difficult to assess the quality of the

students4. Lack of traditional face-to-face instruction

and communication5. Restricted teaching pedagogy6. Lack of social environment

Tools

• Groupware programs– Blackboard (blackboard.com)

• Provides forum for announcements, communication with other students, rubric for grading, and opportunity to create related links

• Common in high schools and colleges throughout the US

• Company provides basic training for instructors

Tools (Continued)

– Lotus LearningSpace (lotus.com)• Common groupware program

• Flexible and easy to customize

• Applications for elementary, secondary, and university level, as well as corporate education and training

• Offers core module and collaboration module

• Core module uses database structures to support self paced, highly individualized programs

• Collaboration module allows teachers and learners to work together through discussion applications and real time virtual classroom applications

Tools (Continued)

• Other technology tools– Camtasia Studio

• Easy to use and easy to access flash video program

– Presidia• Plug-in to PowerPoint, making available slide

shows of lecture outlines online

Cases

1. Curtin University of Technology

2. Kentucky Virtual University

3. University of Phoenix

Similarities and Differences

1. Technology

2. Level of education

3. Length of time online

4. Profit vs. non-profit.

Critical Success Factors

• “Vision and Plans”– Creator of any program must have goals in

mind before implementing any program

• Curriculum– Well planned out curriculum in which to

follow, both instructor and student must know what is expected of them

Critical Success Factors (Continued)

• Training and support– Distance education is still relatively new,

requires great deal of training– Instructor must be given the ability to learn and

master programs before they are put into use

• Student services– Students must be provided with information,

communication methods, and personal interaction

Critical Success Factors (Continued)

• Student training and support– Student must feel comfortable with the

technology that they are using– Without this comfort level, students will not be

able to maximize their learning

• Copyright and intellectual property– Must be clear guidelines on which information

is public and which is protected by copyright

Implementation Considerations

• Financial Capital

• Organizational and Technical experience

• Reputation of the School (Brand Name)

• Teaching Philosophy

• Systems Requirements

• Parties Involved

Implementation Considerations (Continued)

• Cost of Money

• Cost of Time

• Gender confidence

Challenges to Distance Learning

• Drastic change in educational methods– Advent of technological distance learning is

one of the most major steps in the evolution of education

– Faces resistance from those stuck in traditional methods of education

– Many distrust technology, do not see it as acceptable replacement for traditional educational methods

Challenges (Continued)

• Retraining of educators– Many educators trained only in traditional

methods– Large amount of technology complex and

difficult to understand– University level education courses are now

integrating technology into their course material to overcome this challenge

Challenges (Continued)

• Plagiarism– Because of the amount of information

available, it is difficult for instructors to check every resource the student may use. Therefore, plagiarism can be a major issue

Challenges (Continued)

• Technology uncertainty and inability

• Privacy and security issues

• Governments’ attitude and regulation