E-learning
From open-encyclopedia.com - the free encyclopedia.
E-learning most often means an approach to facilitate and enhance learning by means of personal computers, CDROMs, and the Internet. This includes email, discussion forums, and collaborative software, e.g. BSCW or CSCW. Advantages are seen in that just-in-time learning is possible, courses can be tailored to specific needs and asynchronous learning is possible. E-learning may also be used to support distance learning through the use of WANs (Wide area networks), and may also be considered to be a form of flexible learning. Often, but not always, e-learning will also attempt to be a student-centred learning solution. Some view e-learning as a means to effective or efficient learning, due to its ease of access and the pace being determined by the learner, but to date little research has reinforced this.
The term e-learning is not very precise, and it should be pointed out that learning is just one element of education. So, the term online education should cover a much broader range of services than the term e-learning. One may also claim that e-learning companies often focus on course content, while online education institutions cover the whole range of educational services.
Not every e-learning resource, usage or provision is necessarily 'exclusively e-learning', sometimes a hybrid 'blended learning' solution is available, either combining distance learning with direct contact 'close at hand' human educational resources, or combining software driven resources with human intervention (whether remote or local, computer mediated (such as through email or 'chat) or non-computer mediated (such as face to face of telephone) or combining software driven resources with any other educational resource (TV, radio, books, tapes, etc.)
On the practical side some e-learning is about organizing the topics to be taught and creating multimedia CDROMs or web sites. An important advantage is generally seen in the fact that hyperlinking is possible and having interactive parts illustrating difficult things or for doing exercises. In higher education especially, the increasing tendency is to create a Managed Learning Environment (MLE; also called a Virtual Learning Environment, VLE) in which all aspects of a course are handled through a consistent interface, using specialised software that is standard through an institution so gives students a consistent user interface.
Often a design approach is implemented which involves creating or re-using Learning Objects. These are self contained units properly tagged with keywords, or other metadata, and preferably stored in an XML file format. These are put in a database and creating a course requires putting together a sequence of learning objects.
One important point is to help teachers organize their pedagogical perspective. Some institutes for Higher education are devoted to this mission (training, counselling, funding, development, etc.).
More recent approaches focus on dialogue, interaction and collaborative activities - courses still contain content but it is of secondary importance or is generated by the students. An open source course management system that makes this approach easier is Moodle. This advocates Social-Constructivism as a pedagogical perspective, whereby learners construct their knowledge through discussion, thereby enhancing their thinking skills.
| Contents |
Organizing the content
- For whom do we create e-learning content
- What do they need to learn
- How do we organize the content
- Which tools / platform do we use? For creating? For delivering?
Instructional Design
instructional design
Creating media
Binding it together
Most often HTML is used to bind together the different e-learning media. Sometimes XML based files are created which are then rendered to HTML/CSS/JavaScript by using an XSLT transformation. However often proprietary technologies are used like Macromedia Director, an authoring tool which contains an Object-BASIC like scripting language.
One standard for representing e-learning content is SCORM whilst others are under draft (UKLOM).
See also
- CALL (computer-assisted language learning) (for a more historical perspective)
- E-learning glossary
External links
E-learning standards:
- SCORM Reference Model (Most important standard)
- IMS Series of XML Standards for e-learning
- IEEE P1484.12 Learning Objects Metadata Standard
- OKI A standard e-learning architecture from MIT
Open source e-learning platforms:
- Very large free software platform list - Although in Spanish, the list can be browsed easily.
- LRN is open source software and a development kit for supporting innovation in collaborative education and learning and research communities.
- Moodle - PHP-based, free software (GNU-GPL)
- Segue - Developed at Middlebury College, PHP-based, free software (GNU-GPL)
- ILIAS - free software (GNU-GPL)
- Claroline - PHP-based, free software (GNU-GPL)
- Dokeos - PHP-based, free software (GNU-GPL)
- Spaghettilearning - PHP-based, free software (GNU-GPL)
- OpenUSS: platform itself and sourceforge site - Java J2EE
- aTutor PHP-based, free software (GNU-GPL), course generator
Open source learning tools for collaborative learning:
Commercial e-learning platforms:
- Learning Management System
- WebCT
- BlackBoard
- NetDimensions' EKP learning management system
- Learn.com
- Hyperwave
Commercial e-learning tools:
Comparisons of e-learning platforms:
- Maricopa - Web Courseware Comparisons and Studies
- EduTools - Course Management Systems Comparison (very good)
- XPLANA - Open Source Courseware - Evaluation and Rating
- http://www.virtual-learning.at/ LMS and LCMS Evaluation carried out on behalf of the Austrian Government (Text is in German)
Other related links:
- Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Australian 5-year project to develop online learning skills and resources)
- Collaborative learning environments sourcebook
- Online Education and Learning Management Systems - Global E-learning in a Scandinavian Perspective
- Tutorial Markup Language (a simple HTML based approach); link is dead; where is a copy?
- http://dublincore.org (Dublin core metadata initiative)
- http://ltsc.ieee.org/wg12/ (This IEEE standard specifies the syntax and semantics of Learning Object Metadata)
- http://www.aicc.org/ (Aviation Industry CBT Committee)
E-learning web resources:
- Ariadne (software) is a European Association open to the World, for Knowledge Sharing and Reuse, E-Learning for all.
- EducaNext is a portal for sharing learning objects.
- Learning Circuits latest e-learning developments, US emphasis
- Stephen's Web e-learning and related technology, includes the widely read OLDaily e-learning newsletter
- e-Learning Guru lots of information about e-learning
- tele-task archive provides many tele-lectures particularly about Internet- and WWW-technology and security
- Support Insight daily e-learning stories, international interest
- European Schoolnet e-learning stories, European perspective, schools and education system emphasis
- eLearningpost daily e-learning stories, US emphasis
- Comunidad E-learning Workshops E-learning news and resources in Spanish for Spain and Latin America.
- me-Learning Makers of me-Learning management simulation courseware series and the ALEAS simulation framework
- elearnspace E-learning, knowledge management, communities, and networks - news and resources
- English Grammar Online free exercises, explanations, games and teaching materials on English as a foreign language
- Skills & More European eLearning Consulting Group, specialists in eLearning, blended learning and change management of eLearning projects
da:E-learning
de:E-Learning
fr:E-formation
eo:E-lerno
it:E-learning
no:E-læring
pl:E-learning
hu:e-Learning
