Electronic learning is considered to be one of the best responses to the growing need for education. Since today’s workforce needs to be highly educated, continuous improvement on current skills and acquisition of new skills call for solutions that would provide them with fast results. A lot of people in different industries and fields have embraced technologically enhanced type of learning’s many benefits and look to improve on what it still lacks.
However, for it to succeed, the different organizations, institutions and companies that use it must understand the advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques and methods involved. There are two basic types of electronic learning and they are the asynchronous and synchronous type. For quite some time, the asynchronous method has been the more popular one. Recently, a lot of improvements have been made in technology such as increased bandwidth capabilities and all of these allowed synchronous elearning to become a growing trend.
The synchronous type is commonly supported by different kinds of media such as chatting and videoconferencing. It has the potential to support learners in the development of learning communities. Feedback reveals that both the teacher and learner find this type to be more social and less frustrating considering that queries and concerns are addressed in real time. The most positive review of all is that none of the learners feel isolated when using it. The reason for this is because of the continued contact which allowed them to become aware of themselves as members of a community.
Studies have shown that it supports the different types of communication more than asynchronous elearning. Additionally it is predicted that it can increase psychological arousal and increase motivation. The “natural media” involved, that is the ability to convey and observe body language and expressions, contributes to this arousal. Learners felt that the communication involved felt a lot more like genuine talking and conversations. The environment gave the atmosphere of trust and that it is possible to exchange social support and discuss less complicated issues.
With this type of technology-enhanced learning, reaction to messages can be monitored which makes it easier for learners to feel more committed and motivated to read on and respond to stimulation. This contributes to the psychological arousal of the instructor because he or she expects that a response would be likely.
Some common kinds of synchronous elearning are the following:
Virtual Classroom. Duplicating a real classroom, this type provides for a place for teacher and students to interact virtually using computers and internet connection. Attendance is easily recorded and lectures can be delivered using slide presentations, audio and video conferences, whiteboard and application sharing.
Audio and Video Conferencing. Both can be accomplished if the users are connected to the internet. For audio, phone conferencing is used by dialing the same number to participate. For video conferencing, special devices are necessary to connect over the internet or even phone lines.
Chat. This application allows many people to contact or communicate with one another. Participants can use a computer and internet connection to type their comments and opinions and their ‘classmates’ can do the same.
A computer graduate and loves to travel. Reading current news in the internet is one of his past times. Taking pictures of the things around him fully satisfies him. He loves to play badminton and his favorite pets are cats and walk with them in the park with some dogs.
For more information regarding E learning you may want to call directly at 813-814-2345 or visit our website for more help.
Read More From Joe Owens
|
