E-Learning, The Future of Education

So what is e-Learning? First I would like to stressToo much technicality can be distractive. This is
that it is learning. The difference betweensynonymous to a classroom with way too many
e-Learning and traditional learning is that e-Learningcharts, colors and pictures. The designer of the
incorporates the web and all the otherprogram should be vigilant of media overkill.
technologies that are present there. It can beSo what is the future of e-Learning? This opinion
thought of as a convergence of old and new.Thewas given in 2000 by Richard C. Close, Rob
student may be exposed to blogs, Flash videos,Humphrys and Brian W. Ruttebur in a SunTrust
music, animated text and a wealth of otherEquitable Securities report, titled e-Learning and
virtual-classroom aides. The virtual classroom,Knowledge Technology:- "technology is increasingly
however does not eradicate the obstacles thatchanging our lives. First, it was the emergence of
are forever present in the traditional classroomthe desktop computer, now it is the Internet. It
environment. Every teacher is aware of theenables the ordinary person to have access to
dynamic nature of the classroom. He/She has tonever-ending quantities of information and
fully understand the orchestration of the theknowledge. Technology and the Internet
classroom floor, the importance of vocalempower individuals and facilitate a more active
intonation, the detection of loss of interest, therole in the educational process. As previously
relevance of material, the factorization of "meaty"mentioned, the Internet has transformed the way
topics and most importantly the individual learner.people shop (B2B) and the manner in which
The e-Learning environment presents challengesbusinesses conduct transactions with each other
to the instructor/presenter. Noticeably absent is(B2B). Over the last several months, we have
the human contact. You are not afforded theseen the evolution of a third area that we believe
ability to detect confusion by the dropped jaw orcan have the most significant impact on all our
raised eyebrows. The student is disallowed thelives. The e-Learning sector is just beginning to
one-on-one interaction. Students expressemerge. Just as the Internet has transformed the
satisfaction when they receive that directedretail market, we remain confident that it will also
response. Virtual classrooms, if not humanized,transform the education and knowledge market.
may tend to radiate isolation. It is imperative thatIn 1999 John Chambers (CEO Cisco Systems)
the designer or presenter compensate for this bycommented "The next big killer application for the
tailoring his/her vocabulary. One may choose toInternet is going to be education. Education over
use words like "you", "we" etc. Remember athe Internet is going to be so big it is going to
mouse click is way different from a raised hand.make e-mail look like a rounding error." How right
The virtual environment removes that impulsivethey were, today billions of dollars are being spent
response. In classes I've taught, the student'son the education and knowledge
body language and response times tell me when amarket.e-Learning brings a lot of convenience to
break is needed. The human brain does sufferthe learner. The advance of technologies for
from information overflow. A virtual class shouldremote access, streaming, conferencing and VOIP
involve short, well orchestrated topics. Monotoneshas made education available anywhere, anytime
are hypnotic. The presenter should practice hisand for anyone. High speed desktops have
her presentation skills. A short story that is icebecome remarkably cheap. Employers and the
breaking is often welcomed by the learner.individual learner realizes a substantial cost saving
Comedy removes the stress of having to digestdue to elimination of need to travel. According to
a lot of information.Training Magazine, corporations save between
I have found myself using crutch words or fillers.50-70% by implementing e-learning instead of
You know that ever present "uh". I never realizedinstructor led training. The removal of the static
how often I used this filler until I decided to tapeclass curriculum allows the student some degree
myself. To be honest, I got mad at myself. Thisof customization to enhance his/her learning. One
habit is extremely difficult to break, it takes a lotrecent e-learner expressed her comfort while
of practice. Newscasters spend hours breakingtaking an on-line course. She described the
bad speech habits. Technical courses are alsoenvironment as risk free, avoiding the intimidation
very difficult to present, technical jargon can beof classmates who are sometimes far more
problematic in a live classroom environment andadvanced.
twice as problematic for the virtual learner.I tend to agree that we are about to witness the
Grouping is a phenomenal aid in the traditionaltotal revolution of schools and education. With the
classroom. Though needing a lot of planning andcompetitive nature of large business, Learning
monitoring, it can be achieved in a virtual room.Management Systems will become more efficient,
Again we must overcome the problem ofrobust and functional. I, however, stress the
distance.maintenance of social interaction, especially for
PowerPoint, Flash, Dreamweaver, Camtasia,children. The classroom environment is
Captivate are all tools with super functionality.irreplaceable for the all round development of
Creativity is at its best with these tools but cansocietal skills. With this said, I hinge my bet that
also take away from the general class objective.e-Learning is here to stay.