What is the term that refers to instruction and delivery of training by computers through the Internet or company intranet?

The Internet and intranets offer some wonderful alternatives for the delivery of training. This FAQ is designed to cover the basics of this technology. Good luck with your Distance Learning!

What is Distance Learning?

E-learning is instruction that is delivered electronically, in part or wholly — via a Web browser, such as Netscape Navigator, through the Internet or an intranet, or through multimedia platforms such CD-ROM or DVD. Increasingly — as higher bandwidth has become more accessible — it has been identified primarily with using the Web, or an intranet’s web, leveraging the Web’s visual environment and interactive nature.

How do I determine whether Distance Learning is right for our training?

Here are several questions you can use to assess the viability of e-learning for your training:

  1. Do you have management support?
  2. Do you have enough potential users to justify the cost of purchase or development?
  3. Do you have a target audience who can use or learn to use a computer?
  4. Will they accept a Web-based program?
  5. Will they learn from this particular program?
  6. Will the program provide a method of instruction that is easier, faster, cheaper, safer, or more engaging than the alternative?
  7. Did you come to this page looking for the answer to this question?

What are the advantages of Distance Learning?

Flexibility, Accessibility, Convenience – Users can proceed through a training program “at their own pace and at their own place.” They can also access the training at any time, and only as much as they need – known as “Just in time and just enough.”

Cross platform – E-learning can be accessed by Web browsing software on any platform: Windows, Mac, UNIX, OS/2, Amiga, etc. You can deliver your training program to any machine over the Internet or intranet without having to author a program for each platform.

Web browser software and Internet connections are widely available – Most computer users have access to a browser, such as Netscape Navigator and are connected to a company’s intranet, and/or have access to the Internet.
Inexpensive worldwide distribution – No separate distribution mechanism is needed. E-learning can be accessed from any computer anywhere in the world, keeping delivery costs low.

Ease of update – If changes need to be made in the program after the original implementation, they can be made on the server which stores the program and everyone worldwide can instantly access the update. Courses can be designed to access designated current information, such as the latest new product specifications from any other server worldwide for an on-the-fly update whenever the program is run.

Travel cost and time savings – There are no travel costs for bringing remote employees to a centralized workshop because the Web is available from the desktop. And according to the report “Return on Investment and Multimedia Training” the actual time required for training by computer averages about 50% that of instructor-led training, lowering costs further.

What are the Disadvantages of Distance Learning?

Bandwidth limitations – Limited bandwidth means slower performance for sound, video, and intensive graphics, causing long waits for download that can affect the ease of the learning process. The problem is greater over the public Internet where more traffic jams occur, and less on a company’s intranet which usually has greater bandwidth. Future technologies will no doubt help to solve this problem.

Are computers replacing human contact? – There’s a general concern that as we move towards more computer usage, a glowing terminal replaces a friendly face. Decreasing instructor-led training makes some trainees uneasy. If this is a concern, consider a gradual introduction of the technology.

Today’s e-learning programs are too static – As with any emerging technology, the level of interactivity in e-learning is too-often limited. This is gradually improving, and as it does the impact of the training on performance improves also.

Takes more time and more money to develop than expected – Like any first-time challenge, learning about and implementing new technology takes more resources (and more aspirin) than expected. You can make it easier by starting with a simple program and building on success. Also, remember that the greater portion of costs associated with e-learning are start-up costs. Programs can be delivered and re-used with fewer costs than with traditional methods.

Not all courses are delivered well by computer — Some training topics are not best served by computer-based training and require a more personal touch. Team building activities and dealing with emotional issues such as downsizing come to mind. E-learning and other technologies for training are mainly for assisting the learning process and are not for replacing methods that already work well. more>>

Definition: A learning system based on formalised teaching but with the help of electronic resources is known as E-learning. While teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the Internet forms the major component of E-learning. E-learning can also be termed as a network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery of education is made to a large number of recipients at the same or different times. Earlier, it was not accepted wholeheartedly as it was assumed that this system lacked the human element required in learning.However, with the rapid progress in technology and the advancement in learning systems, it is now embraced by the masses. The introduction of computers was the basis of this revolution and with the passage of time, as we get hooked to smartphones, tablets, etc, these devices now have an importance place in the classrooms for learning. Books are gradually getting replaced by electronic educational materials like optical discs or pen drives. Knowledge can also be shared via the Internet, which is accessible 24/7, anywhere, anytime.

Description: E-learning has proved to be the best means in the corporate sector, especially when training programs are conducted by MNCs for professionals across the globe and employees are able to acquire important skills while sitting in a board room, or by having seminars, which are conducted for employees of the same or the different organizations under one roof. The schools which use E-learning technologies are a step ahead of those which still have the traditional approach towards learning.

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No doubt, it is equally important to take forward the concept of non-electronic teaching with the help of books and lectures, but the importance and effectiveness of technology-based learning cannot be taken lightly or ignored completely. It is believed that the human brain can easily remember and relate to what is seen and heard via moving pictures or videos. It has also been found that visuals, apart from holding the attention of the student, are also retained by the brain for longer periods. Various sectors, including agriculture, medicine, education, services, business, and government setups are adapting to the concept of E-learning which helps in the progress of a nation.

E-learning (sometimes called web-based training) is anywhere, any-time instruction delivered over the internet or a corporate Intranet to browser-equipped learners. Contrary to traditional learning methods, e-learning allows students, employees in training and casual learners to participate in an organized learning experience regardless of their physical location.

Why e-learning is important

E-learning methods and technology are important both for educating students and for the professional development of employees in the workforce.

In the mid-2000s, the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) estimated that 75% of the U.S. workforce would need retraining within the coming five years in order to keep pace with industry needs and increasing global competition. Hewlett-Packard estimated that the half-life of a bachelor's degree in engineering could be as short as 18 months.

Today, the need for employees to keep pace with an increasingly rapid evolution of technology has only grown. For example, expert coders, hardware developers and online security professionals alike anticipate the advent of quantum computing to create a massive shift in the way modern businesses operate. This strongly necessitates new workforce training and education as well as new methods of delivering it that allow increased adaptability in the rapidly changing environment.

Higher education institutions are also implementing e-learning methods more frequently with the increased use of internet-capable electronic devices inside and outside the classroom, as well as the implementation of online classes. A 2017 report estimated that 91 percent of student enrollments and 87 percent of institutions rely on learning management systems (LMS), the specific software applications or web-based technology used for e-learning.

E-learning platforms today offer this increased adaptability for learners and teachers alike.

It is estimated that by 2025, the online course and e-learning market will be worth around $325 billion.

How e-learning works

Instruction can be delivered by a combination of static methods, such as learning portals, hyperlinked pages, screen cam tutorials, streaming audio/video and live Web broadcasts; and interactive methods, such as threaded discussions, chats and desktop video conferencing.

In its formative years, e-learning tools primarily enabled the delivery of learning material directly from teacher to learner. Now, the e-learning experience has evolved to enable more multi-directional communication using increasingly interactive tools. Students, employees and independent learners alike have greater freedom in choosing how they receive and respond to e-learning content, and any number of peers can be involved.

There are three main criteria an enterprise should follow to help ensure an effective e-learning program, regardless of the specific platform they end up using:

  • The experience should be mobile-friendly. The use of mobile phones is growing in the enterprise. Phones can be used to send out training prompts, reminders or congratulations on training achievements.
  • The experience should implement social features. By using social media, or a platform that emulates social media's basic features, learners are given a platform to respond to training efforts or general company updates, as well as communicate with their peers and employers.
  • The experience should utilize a variety of different mediums to suit diverse learning styles, including quizzes, infographics, podcasts, demonstrations and narrative-based training.

Types of e-learning

There are two primary models of Web-based instruction: synchronous -- instructor-facilitated -- and asynchronous -- self-directed and self-paced. Basically, synchronous e-learning requires all the participants to be present, albeit virtually, at the same time, whereas asynchronous e-learning does not.

A comparison of synchronous versus asynchronous e-learning systems

Examples of synchronous e-learning methods include the use of scheduled and timed online tests, virtual classrooms, web conferencing technology or interactive shared whiteboards that learners can use to collaborate. Examples of asynchronous e-learning methods include the use of a message boards, discussion groups and self-paced online courses.

Advantages and disadvantages

Enthusiasts feel that web-based instruction is the perfect solution to meet the needs of life-long learners because it is available on demand, does not require travel and is cost-efficient. Learners can continue to access material throughout their life as the subject they are learning about evolves. Web-based training and e-learning enable greater flexibility in how the learner consumes information and greater adaptability to new available information.

Critics point out that web-based training is a good alternative for independent, self-motivated students, but technical issues and the need for human contact limit its usefulness for students with other learning styles. For example, a learner utilizing an asynchronous e-learning method might find themselves unable to successfully complete an e-learning course without the added structure of a deadline or the instant response to questions that a synchronous e-learning or traditional learning method provides. Another disadvantage of using e-learning methods, especially on free and easily accessible resources, is that sometimes the quality and credibility of the content or the teacher is not transparent.

E-learning platforms

There are a variety of e-learning platforms, both synchronous and asynchronous, that users can implement in educational, business or independent environments. One commonly known staple of web-based training is the use of PowerPoint presentations. PowerPoints are used for a large majority of business-to-business (B2B) training today.  

The use of learning management systems is almost ubiquitous. These powerful software suites enable digital learning by administering e-learning courses, online examinations and analyzing student performance data. A few examples of these platforms are:

  • Moodle
  • Blackboard Learn
  • Canvas
  • Sakai
  • Schoology

Learning management systems are also prevalent in the enterprise. The best corporate LMSes are scalable, customizable, goal-oriented and user-friendly. Some of the best enterprise-level LMSes are:

  • Adobe Captivate Prime
  • Docebo LMS
  • Looop
  • TalentLMS
  • iSpring Learn
  • Northpass
  • eFront

Social media also provides widely useful avenues for e-learning. Social media has become a popular learning tool in part because services like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn are second nature to many users.

These platforms are suitable for bringing communities of learners together and allowing them to share e-learning content. Facebook and LinkedIn users can create groups to share information and ideas, and members of the groups can communicate freely about the shared material. Groups created on LinkedIn might be perceived to have an added level of credibility because users display their career credentials on their profiles. Twitter can be used to connect learning communities over a specific topic or event by utilizing a hashtag. YouTube users can also post and access educational content for free on YouTube, as well as comment on and rate the videos.

LinkedIn also has a paid platform for e-learning embedded within it called LinkedIn Learning which features over 1,000 business courses. The topics of these courses vary from web development to digital marketing. Business professionals can pay a monthly fee to use these courses to keep their skills up to date.

Independent learners can also take advantage of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on the web. MOOCs are courses of study made available to a large group of people over the internet, usually for free. Often MOOC courses are patterned after top tier universities, such as Harvard and Yale, which is great for learners who want quality training on a given topic for free. Users can log into the MOOC's website and sign up for a given course. Certain MOOCs may charge a student looking to earn a specific certificate for the completion of their coursework. Some popular MOOC platforms include:

Other platforms, such as Udemy and Skillshare, are similar to a MOOC in that they are massively available online. However, they are different in that they charge the user and focus more on practical engagement with material as opposed to passive learning methods, such as lectures that come with more university-centric MOOCs. No matter the platform, e-learning is a flexible, adaptable way for professionals and students alike to bolster their skills.