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What is E-Learning and How Does It Work?

By Lisa Washington 11 July, 2023 2 mins read

You may be asking, "What is e-learning?" and "How does it differ from traditional teaching?" You've probably noticed a few different aspects of online learning. It is not as structured nor formal as traditional teaching methods and students can learn at their own pace. Online learning can be used as an adjunct to formal teaching methods like tutorials and lectures. Both students and teachers can save time and money by using e-learning. Here are some of its benefits:

e-learning

The core elements of effective eLearning are context, challenge as well as learner input and feedback. These elements are vital to student success and building community within an elearning community. These elements can also help students learn by providing flexibility in course design. Students are able to choose their time and place for online courses. Here are three benefits to these elements.

Synchronous instruction

E-learning can include both synchronous and unsynchronous instruction. While synchronous time allows for more direct teacher-student interaction, asynchronous time can serve as follow-up to independent activities. For example, independent activities might include reading articles, viewing videos, or completing online modules. Teachers might also use synchronous times to provide important background information and targeted guidance. Here are some tips for creating successful synchronous time.

Formalised teaching

Informal learning has become more important in twenty first century contexts. It is becoming increasingly clear that knowledge alone does not suffice; students must also develop practical skills. Blended learning is the answer. This requires instructors to be more that a lecturer. Instructors must become facilitators and negotiators in order to negotiate what is important for students and what not. This requires a re-evaluation in traditional teaching methods.

Saving time and money

Elearning offers many benefits, including cost-effectiveness as well as flexibility and accessibility. Elearning is much more accessible than traditional classroom learning and easy to refer to at any time. Elearning can be used to replace traditional classroom training. This saves both time and money. Companies can achieve a competitive advantage in terms of customer satisfaction and financial cost by incorporating eLearning within their overall corporate training strategy. Let's take an in-depth look at the key benefits of using eLearning.

Flexibility

E-learning courses that allow flexibility are designed to enable students to learn at a pace that suits them. Research shows that flexibility use and student engagement are key factors in students' learning. This finding is important in improving personalized learning and promoting collaboration among students with similar characteristics. When creating elearning modules, you should consider the following. You should consider the following factors before implementing flexible learning in your courses.

FAQ

What systems are used in e-learning?

E-learning is an online learning system where students learn from a computer screen. You can engage in interactive activities, such as discussions, quizzes and tests.

E-learning also includes web-based programs which allow users access to information on the internet via a computer. This program is also known as "online learning".

Is eLearning effective for learning?

E-learning is an effective tool for delivering learning content from anywhere at any time. It offers learners easy access to information at any time and from anywhere.

E-learning also allows you to deliver training programs on demand without the need for expensive travel costs or classroom space.

Where can e-learning be used?

It is a way for people who are unable or unwilling to go to classes face-to-face to learn at their own pace. You can also teach someone how to use it.

E-Learning is also very popular with businesses because they can use it in their training programs.

E-Learning is gaining popularity in schools because it helps to save money and time.

What are the potential benefits of elearning for students as well as teachers?

E-learning offers both students and teachers better learning outcomes. It allows learners to access information anywhere and anytime they want. E-learning enables educators to engage with their students using technology in ways not previously possible.

E-learning gives teachers the ability to provide personalized instruction and support students' progress. This increases student motivation and engagement. Teachers can use e-learning to develop skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Teachers can use it to improve their teaching by offering opportunities for reflection on other's experiences and self-reflection.

E-learning can help to lower the cost of training. For example, if a teacher wants to train his/her class about a new topic, he/she will have to spend money buying books and materials. However, you don't need to purchase duplicate material if it is easily available online.

Statistics

According to ATD's 2021 State of the Industry report, technology-based learning methods, including e-learning, accounted for 80 percent of learning hours used in 2020. (td.org)
The UK sample was relatively balanced in terms of gender (56% male) compared to the Gambian group (77% male). (sciencedirect.com)
E-learning is intended to enhance individual-level performance, and therefore intend to use of e-learning should be predicted by a learner's preference for self-enhancement (Veiga, Floyd, & Dechant, 2001). (sciencedirect.com)
Hedonism incorporates intrinsic motivation, including novelty, challenge, excitement, and pleasure (Schwartz et al., 2012), which is likely to predict user perception of e-learning enjoyment. (sciencedirect.com)

How To

How can elearning enhance traditional learning?

E-learning has existed for many years, and it is still in development. There are so many types of online learning that it is impossible to list them all. Here are some of the most popular:

E-learning can be used to supplement traditional learning. An interactive whiteboard may be used by a teacher to demonstrate a concept. She can also record her voice explaining the concept through audio technology. Students could listen to the audio file after class to reinforce what was taught.
E-learning can replace traditional learning. For example, a student might access a tutorial by going to a website. The student could then follow the video instructions and complete it at his/her own pace.
E-learning may be a supplement to traditional education. To access large amounts of information, a student could log on to a website. The student can then browse through the material, and choose the parts that they want to examine.
E-learning can enhance the learning environment. For example, a tutor could provide feedback on a student's work via email. Or a student could ask questions of other students via instant messaging.
E-learning can enable distance education. For example, a university lecturer could deliver lectures over the internet to hundreds of students around the world.
E-learning is an option for corporate training. Many companies offer webinars for employees to learn about new products and services.
E-learning can improve academic performance. Students enrolled on a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), for example, could engage in discussion forums, contribute content, and even earn badges when they complete certain tasks.
E-learning is a great way to improve your communication skills. An example: A student could send an assignment by email to another student.
E-learning is a way to develop critical thinking skills. Students could, for example, create podcasts or blogs to share their views on a topic.
E-learning may be helpful in problem-solving. One example is a group of students working together on a project using Google Docs.
Collaboration between people can be made possible by e-learning. For example, two students could meet up in person to discuss a problem. Skype could be used to communicate with one of them if he or she was at home studying.
E-learning can allow for self-directed learning. For example, students can set their own goals and deadlines when undertaking a course.
E-learning can encourage creativity. Students might upload videos showing them performing art projects.
E-learning can encourage independence. For example, a child might play educational games independently without parental supervision.
E-learning can promote lifelong learning. Older people, for example, can still learn new things if they have internet access.