E-Learning

My blog topic for the first half of the semester is on "e-learning". So what is e-learning? E-Learning is probably the future of education. E-Learning is the use of techology devices such as computers or smart phones to deliver learning. E-Learning has the means to incorporate many different forms of media into instruction. E-Learning provides the student access to audio, video animation, interactive simulation and evaluation. More and more, training and education is being delivered via some form of technology.

As the demand grows to accommodate the life styles of students, particularly adult students, Universities are rushing to develop on-line curriculums. To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of traning E-Learning now accounts for over one third of all workforce learning. (Clark & Mayer). Unlike what some may think, e- learning is not just on-line instruction or distance learning instruction. It can be, but e-learning can be used in asychronous (self passsed) as well as sychronous learning (traditional in-class learning). In fact, e-learning is becoming a major component of traditional classroom instruction.

What was interesting to me was getting a clarification of "Delivery Method" and "Instructional Method". E-learning is but a delivery method, which is not to be confused with instructional method. The two are quite separate. In terms of actual learning, it has been proven that one delivery method has no particular advantage any other delivery method. What differentiates learning is the instructional method. So as we develop e-learning we must be cognizant of the instruction to be incorporated into the e-learning technology.