E-learning The harbinger of knowledge disbursal

B L Razdan

The importance of knowledge in the twenty-first century, i.e. the knowledge century, cannot be overemphasized. Long long before Francis Bacon said that Knowledge is power Lord Krishna had told Arjuna in Bhagwat Geeta, “Verily, nothing purifies in this world like knowledge.” And even earlier to that the Rig Veda propounded that Knowledge makes a person famous and is helpful in achieving the desired goal.
In the 150th birth centenary year of Swami Vivekananda, one cannot ignore his views on knowledge like: Knowledge is the goal of all life; the real life of man consists of knowledge; the gift of knowledge is the highest gift in the world; no action can give you freedom, only knowledge can make you free; instinct, reason and inspiration are the three instruments of knowledge; knowledge itself is the highest reward of knowledge; knowledge alone can make us perfect; and many more.
With the burgeoning world population and lack of education in most of the developing countries, imparting knowledge to billions of people was and continues to be a formidable and stupendous challenge that had almost disillusioned the world community. But advances in technology overcame the challenge and rekindled the hope of knowledge being made available to one and all through a process called e-learning through which we will overcome the limitations of time, distance and resources. It was realized that new technologies can make a big difference in education and dissemination of knowledge. Many proponents of E-learning share the belief that everyone must be equipped with basic knowledge of technology, as well as use it as a medium to reach a particular goal.
To put it briefly, E-learning is the use of technology to enable people to learn anytime and anywhere, including training, delivery of information and guidance from experts. But one would naturally want as to how such a revolutionary development took place which made the yesterday’s impossible dream come true.
It was in the early sixties that psychology professors Patrick Suppes and Richard Atkinson at Stanford University experimented with using computers to teach math and reading to young children in elementary schools. In 1963, Bernard Luskin installed the first computer in a community college for instruction, working with Stanford and others, developed computer assisted instruction. Luskin completed his landmark UCLA dissertation working with the Rand Corporation in analyzing obstacles to computer assisted instruction in 1970.
Early E-learning systems, based on Computer-Based Learning/Training often attempted to replicate autocratic teaching styles whereby the role of the e-learning system was assumed to be for transferring knowledge, as opposed to systems developed later based on Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. (CSCL), which encouraged the shared development of knowledge.
E-learning (electronic learning) is the delivery of learning content and materials to learners in digital form via a variety of technologies and is naturally suited to distance learning and flexible learning and can also be used in conjunction with face-to-face teaching. E-learning content can include text, images, animation, audio and video that can be delivered through internet, intranet, CDs, DVDs and even USBs. Ways of accessing e-learning content can include PC (Personal computer), Tablet computer, Mobile phone or device, Television, DVD player or even a CD player.
E-learning is now becoming an integral method for delivering knowledge to pupils and students in schools and colleges. The advantages of delivering exciting, interactive content to engage learners in an immersive learning process both in and out of the classroom are widely recognized and supported by educational professionals around the globe. Online e-learning will be the most effective way of delivering training to a dispersed workforce at a fraction of the cost of conventional training methods.
The benefits of e-learning are patently obvious. For organizations operating in a variety of sectors, an e-learning solution supplied by E-learning will overcome the challenges and obstacles faced by anyone who needs to provide and manage a training programme to a large dispersed work force. The benefits gained by deploying an E-learning solution include:
* E-learning provides a single source of learning materials ensuring that the content delivered is identical for all learners and is of the highest possible quality
* online e-learning courses are quick and easy to update across the board without needing to spend time and money organising and distributing paper, CD or DVD based content and materials
* E-learning is reliable, dependable and accessible around the clock via an internet connection
* e-learning is easy to manage and control online via our Learner Management System (LMS).
Other formats of E-learning can be deployed according to ones requirements, needs and circumstances. Because of this flexibility E-learning is increasingly seen as one of the most powerful tools in any training strategy – especially where a large dispersed workforce is involved. A good e-learning training course will be easy to use, stimulating and engaging and also will have an element of fun. It will change the very thinking and behavior in general and provide better qualified staff and make a significant difference in helping to promote good practices.
It has been seen that people learn and absorb information in different ways and at different speeds: our e-learning courses provide a flexible and versatile learning system that enables organisations and learners alike to tailor their training to fit with their own specific circumstances. Furthermore, when E-learning is coupled with instructor-led training, it can bring additional dimensions and enhance the learning process overall. More and more learners and organisations are choosing to learn online using e-learning technology.
According to conservative estimates, the worldwide e-learning industry was estimated to be worth over 48 billion dollars as far back as in 2000. Developments in internet and multimedia technologies are the basic enabler of e-learning, with consulting, content, technologies, services and support being identified as the five key sectors of the e-learning industry. By 2006, 3.5 million students were participating in on-line learning at institutions of higher education in the USA. According to the Sloan Foundation reports,[ there has been an increase of around 12-14 percent per year on average in enrollments for fully online learning over the five years 2004-2009 in the US post-secondary system, compared with an average of approximately 2 per cent increase per year in enrollments overall.
Many higher educational institutions now offer on-line classes. By contrast, only about half of private, schools offer them. The Sloan report, based on a poll of academic leaders, indicated that students generally appear to be at least as satisfied with their on-line classes as they are with traditional ones. Private institutions may become more involved with on-line presentations as the cost of instituting such a system decreases. Properly trained staff must also be hired to work with students on-line. These staff members need to understand the content area, and also be highly trained in the use of the computer and Internet. Online education is rapidly increasing,
There are many advantages to online and computer-based learning when compared to traditional face-to-face courses and lectures even as there are a few disadvantages, which can be ignored in the face of overwhelming advantages. The obvious advantages include scheduling of class work around work and family; reduction of travel time and travel costs for off-campus students; option to select learning materials that meets their level of knowledge and interest; access the study material through a computer and Internet connection from anywhere; allowing self-paced learning modules for learners to work at their own pace; flexibility to join discussions in the bulletin board threaded discussion areas at any hour; visiting the classmates and instructors remotely in chat rooms; promotion of interaction among students and instructors than in large lecture courses; accommodation of different learning styles and facilitation of learning through a variety of activities. These far outweigh the disadvantages like people with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind; the apprehension that they may feel isolated from the instructor and classmates and difficulty in simulation of lab work in a virtual classroom. All said and done, the sheer versatility of E-learning will make it a grand success and the world a much better place to live.

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