Online Learning? What is it?

hi friends, welcome back to my blog. In my last post – Real Education for Real People, I introduced you to www.free-ed.net, a site that offers hundreds of free online learning courses…Let's not rush tings here. Before we continue, it is good for us to know exactly what online learning is, and the different types of online learning models.

What is online learning?

Before defining online learning, please let's look at the definition of a broader term – electronic (e-learning).
E-learning is Education via the Internet, network, or standalone computer. e-learning is essentially the network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. e-learning refers to using electronic applications and processes to learn. e-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM.*

Online learning is just one component of e-learning, the one that deals with the internet. Online learning is therefore defined as "Any learning experience or environment that relies upon the Internet/WWW as the primary delivery mode of communication and presentation".

Types of online learning

There are different models of learning that are particularly useful in an online environment. Each type is defined and linked to articles and resources.

Live (Synchronous) online learning: In this form of online learning, communication occurs at the same time between individuals and information is accessed instantly. Examples of synchronous e-learning include real-time chat, and video/audio conferencing or the virtual classroom. Synchronous e-Learning can provide instant feedback on a student's performance and allows the training to be adjusted immediately if needed. It also provides a way to accelerate the building of learning communities or social presence. It aids learner engagement and provides an environment where synergism can be expressed and learner can empower learner to construct knowledge. The disadvantages of synchronous e-learning are that the training is not self-paced and the logistics of scheduling, time zones, and student availability need to be managed.

Store and Forward (Asynchronous) online learning: This happens when communication between people does not occur simultaneously. Some examples of asynchronous e-learning include taking a self-paced course, exchanging e-mail messages with a mentor, and posting messages to a discussion group.
Store and forward learning is very advantageous when considering convenience, accessibility, and the fact that it is self-paced, but on the other hand, the student may feel isolated or be less motivated without any real-time human interaction. In addition, asynchronous e-learning does not provide immediate feedback on a student's performance, leaving adjustments to training until after an evaluation is completed.

Blended (mixed mode) Learning: is a combination of traditional face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops with online activities such as email, announcements, discussion boards and quizzes. Learners can receive timely feedback from online tests and quizzes to identify gaps in their knowledge and understanding. Also because of how students use the Internet in their lives there are other learning community benefits for using online learning in a face-to-face environment.

Characteristics of online learning

Any online learning method must exhibit at least one of the following characteristics

• Purely online - no face-to-face meetings
• Blended Learning - combination of online and face-to-face
• Synchronous (live)
• Asynchronous (store and forward)
• Instructor-led group
• Self-study
• Self-study with subject matter expert
• Web-based

I trust you now what online learning is, and the different types of online learning models, but I bet you there is still more to this. If you found a collection of words like E-learning, Online Learning, Web-based Learning, or Distance Learning, will you know the differences? I will tell you that soon. Very soon, but I prefer telling you the advantages and disadvantages of online learning first.

Yours Truly,
Ferdinand CHE