eLearning 101: Lesson 1 – exploring the essential qualities of e-learning

So to start at the beginning…

What is e-learning?

I think there are a number of definitions, articulate plum for:

“use of electronic devices (computers, tablets, phones) 

to deliver educational or training content to learners”

eLearning has also been called web-based training, online learning and computer-based training.

Typically content has included slide-based content with simple navigation and incorporating some interactivity such as quizzes. Content can be developed to include responsive web-based content, software simulations and interactive courses with role-playing and complex decision-making.

Why is elearning valuable?

Some of the benefits identified include:

• asynchronous or synchronous activities
• global reach – anytime, anywhere
• proceed at learners own pace
• use of multiple devices eg tablets / mobiles
• flexible for the user
• just in time / needs based – available when the user needs it
• can reach more people, more quickly compared to face-to-face training
• allows consistency of quality and content – same message delivered to all participants

How do you create eLearning courses?

So at this point Articulate products are introduced – I’m not going to do the sales pitch.

How is eLearning shared?

Two possible routes are offered:

• Informal Distribution – eg freely available via a web server. Users can decide whether to participate.
• Formal Distribution – eg via a learning management system (LMS), such as Blackboard. Here the LMS tracks and record user activity. Standards are required to allow the learning object to “talk” to the LMS. I have heard of SCORM and TinCan protocols, although never used them.

What makes an elearning project successful?

1. Using the right applications

Use the application that can provide the functionality and interactivity that you want for your learners. You need to consider how easy it is for you to use, so that the learning curve is manageable and you don’t spend time dealing with technical issues.

2. Instructional design

You need to be able to create the most effective, educational experience for your learners, to maximise learning and help users to improve their knowledge and skill.

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The definition seems to change with the times – it always wants to be the new kid on the block, although the concept now must be pretty old (although efficacy is still argued over). I was trying to remember my first experience of “elearning”. Certainly not at school – I remember fund-raising activities to collect enough money to buy a computer for the school (one computer for the whole school!). You’ve never seen so many cake sales. Not at university either, we just about had a computer-based catalogue. I think it was when I first started work (in the 1990s). I was learning coding and I remember a “video disk” – something the size of an LP (if you remember what that was) which played video on a TV screen. We learnt all about the adabas database from shiny-faced americans.

I have found elearning to be very useful – for all the benefits described. I’m not sure that I would do any CPD if I had to rely on booking on face-to-face training events. I remember when I learnt visual basic (mid-90s) – it was a 1 week course and a book for 2 weeks. Now I am learning Articulate Storyline, it is an ongoing process with access to a variety of learning opportunities, in different formats, with peer support from people that I have never even met. Quite a change.