Well this article is not about E-learning, rather learning at my work place. We at our place of work are encouraged to constantly hone are skills. We make presentations, share knowledge by taking sessions of various kinds and take up exercise on grammar/editing to perfect ourselves. In addition, we get feedback on all the assignments or work we do. The term, “feedback” implies criticism. Criticism can be both positive and negative. However, it differs from person to person, how they react to it.
I feel criticism both positive and negative can help us improve in many ways. Most of the times when we get feedback on our work, presentation or exercises and are expected to implement the learning in the future. I make an effort to do so as far as possible. However, sometimes I fail to meet the expectations of my superiors. Nevertheless, what makes me feel happy is that I never give up or lose heart. In addition, the fact that my superiors take pains to share the knowledge they have makes me feel elated. I have seen many a times that people often point out the mistakes one commits but they never disclose how to correct it, which is irksome. At Kern, my superiors always guide me when I falter. I like the way we get our feedback. People here know how to provide feedback and they try to highlight specific areas that need improvement.
I feel that feedback can prove beneficial if only I make an effort not to repeat the past mistakes. Of course, I cannot claim that I will never commit mistakes in the future but I feel that if I get constant feedback and support from my superiors, I will improve gradually.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Do Colors Impact Learning?
“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
But this may not be true in case of eLearning courses, tutorials or PowerPoint presentations. If we include too many colors in any of these then it is sure to spoil its look. Like they say “Too many cooks spoil the broth’, in the same way too many colors spoil the look!
Colors that appear pleasing to my eyes may not look so when you view it. But then the question arises which color should we use? I may not be an expert in this field, but I have attempted to put forth my view and understanding on the use of colors and their impact on learning after doing loads of research on the information super highway a.k.a internet.
Let’s look at the co-relation between colors and learning in detail.
Color is an element of design that is used to create ideas, convey messages, evoke feelings, and accentuate areas of interest (Groff, 1990). Choosing an appropriate color for any PowerPoint presentation or any tutorial is as important as adding salt to any dish. Too much or too little of it can spoil the whole thing. Before we move on to using colors, let us know what the different types of colors are. Color can be classified as:
Primary: Those colors that can be combined to make a range of other colors is known as primary colors. Primary colors can not be created using other colors hence they are known as primary colors.
Example: Red, Blue, and Green
Secondary: A secondary color is a color made by mixing two primary colors.
Example: Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan
Tertiary: A tertiary color is a color made by mixing one primary color with one secondary color.
Example: Orange, Violet, and Aquamarine A color wheel is also referred to as a color circle, which is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship.
A color wheel is also referred to as a color circle, which is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship.
Apart from these three types there are complementary and analogous colors.
Complementary Colors: Colors located opposite each other on a color wheel are known as complementary colors. Blue and Orange are complementary colors.
Analogous Colors: Colors located close together on a color wheel are known as analogous colors. Violet, Blue and Azure are analogous colors.
Let us know the principles of using color.
Use of good colors can provide good visual effect where as use of bad colors can mar the visual effect altogether. There are four principles which govern good visual effect.
Principle 1: Use of Strong and Bright Colors
Very strong or bright colors should be used sparingly or between dull background tones. This allows the strong colors to draw attention to a particular feature of a graphic you want to focus on.
Example:
Principle 2: Combine Light and Dark Colors
Using a combination of light and dark colors means that we should make use of contrasting colors in any presentation or course. This helps the audience to read the text without having to strain their eyes.
Example:
Principle 3: Background colors
For background one should use soft, dull or neutral colors that allow smaller, bright text or images to stand out vividly. When two or more colors are used for a background it tends to distract the viewer from the important objects you want him/her to focus on.
Example:
Principle 4: Unity
When we use an image with multiple colors we should keep in mind that diverse colors should intermingle with each other.
Example:
Why do we need colors at all?
If we look around ourselves we will find colors of all shades. So how can we ignore colors? In fact colors form a major part of our lives, in the sense that if the whole world becomes black or white probably we would end up confusing one object with another.
Colors help us distinguish different objects. It is often said “variety is the spice of life”. And colors add variety to most of the things around us. Color is a powerful tool, which has many uses. It can be used to get attention, create a mood, enhance clarity, establish a code, label things in nature, and differentiate items. Let us look at each of these reasons in detail.
Color is used to attract attention
Colors can be used to emphasize a particular thing. For example in the given example only some words in the instruction is highlighted to show that it is important.
“Select only one option from the options given below”
Similarly you must have noticed that models or dummies in jewelry shops are black. It is done so as to make the jewelry stand out.
Colors may turn on or turn off your mood.
This background glares and causes eye strain
This does not cause eye strainBright colors may tire you and you may have to strain your eyes. Whereas soft colors make it easy for us to spend longer duration of time to read things.
Color enhances clarity
We use color to enhance clarity and readability in the text and graphic elements.
Take a look at this picture where different languages spoken in different parts of our country are indicated using various
colors.
Color helps us establish a code
Color can be used to code items, locations, regions, and so on. Colors come in handy to make graphical representation.
Colors have particular connotations
We generally use certain colors to symbolize a particular thing. For example red symbolizes danger, black is generally associated with evil where as white denotes purity. Blue is often used to show sky and water bodies and green is used to illustrate flora and fauna. Of course these connotations differ with culture.
How does color facilitate or impede learning?
Research proves that colors have a psychological impact on learning environment. The choice of color can have a positive or a negative impact on students’ performance and behavior in class. Also colors should be used on the basis of age group the students belong to. Students in lower class respond better in a brightly colored classroom.
I remember when I was in kinder garten the classroom used to be brightly colored, mostly yellow or red color was used. But as I got promoted to higher grades, the color of the classroom changed from yellow or red to green.
Teachers have also used various colors to influence learning outcomes. For example in school we were asked to stick to blue or black ink. And the red ink was supposed to be used by teachers to correct assignments, notebooks, and class works. It was definitely done to draw our attention to the mistake we made. In one way red was threatening but in another way it made us feel anxious and enhanced our learning outcomes, in the sense that we will remember not to repeat the points highlighted in red.
Also while showing the differences between two or three concepts teachers generally make use of colored chalks so as to make the differences prominent. Furthermore in school writing board is black in color so that white color will be easily visible. Another example can be the use of a highlighter to mark an important piece of information in a text book. Color facilitates to memorize and identify different things.
To conclude I would say, colors are most influential aspect of our lives. Without color we cannot see traffic signals or enjoy scenic beauty, and learning techniques would be much more difficult. These signals require perception of color in order to be effective. So colors used in the right proportion can enhance learning and benefit us in a number of ways whereas it will have exactly the opposite if we use too much of it.
But this may not be true in case of eLearning courses, tutorials or PowerPoint presentations. If we include too many colors in any of these then it is sure to spoil its look. Like they say “Too many cooks spoil the broth’, in the same way too many colors spoil the look!
Colors that appear pleasing to my eyes may not look so when you view it. But then the question arises which color should we use? I may not be an expert in this field, but I have attempted to put forth my view and understanding on the use of colors and their impact on learning after doing loads of research on the information super highway a.k.a internet.
Let’s look at the co-relation between colors and learning in detail.
Color is an element of design that is used to create ideas, convey messages, evoke feelings, and accentuate areas of interest (Groff, 1990). Choosing an appropriate color for any PowerPoint presentation or any tutorial is as important as adding salt to any dish. Too much or too little of it can spoil the whole thing. Before we move on to using colors, let us know what the different types of colors are. Color can be classified as:
Primary: Those colors that can be combined to make a range of other colors is known as primary colors. Primary colors can not be created using other colors hence they are known as primary colors.
Example: Red, Blue, and Green
Secondary: A secondary color is a color made by mixing two primary colors.
Example: Yellow, Magenta, and Cyan
Tertiary: A tertiary color is a color made by mixing one primary color with one secondary color.
Example: Orange, Violet, and Aquamarine A color wheel is also referred to as a color circle, which is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship.
A color wheel is also referred to as a color circle, which is a visual representation of colors arranged according to their chromatic relationship.
Apart from these three types there are complementary and analogous colors.
Complementary Colors: Colors located opposite each other on a color wheel are known as complementary colors. Blue and Orange are complementary colors.
Analogous Colors: Colors located close together on a color wheel are known as analogous colors. Violet, Blue and Azure are analogous colors.
Let us know the principles of using color.
Use of good colors can provide good visual effect where as use of bad colors can mar the visual effect altogether. There are four principles which govern good visual effect.
Principle 1: Use of Strong and Bright Colors
Very strong or bright colors should be used sparingly or between dull background tones. This allows the strong colors to draw attention to a particular feature of a graphic you want to focus on.
Example:
Principle 2: Combine Light and Dark Colors
Using a combination of light and dark colors means that we should make use of contrasting colors in any presentation or course. This helps the audience to read the text without having to strain their eyes.
Example:
Principle 3: Background colors
For background one should use soft, dull or neutral colors that allow smaller, bright text or images to stand out vividly. When two or more colors are used for a background it tends to distract the viewer from the important objects you want him/her to focus on.
Example:
Principle 4: Unity
When we use an image with multiple colors we should keep in mind that diverse colors should intermingle with each other.
Example:
Why do we need colors at all?
If we look around ourselves we will find colors of all shades. So how can we ignore colors? In fact colors form a major part of our lives, in the sense that if the whole world becomes black or white probably we would end up confusing one object with another.
Colors help us distinguish different objects. It is often said “variety is the spice of life”. And colors add variety to most of the things around us. Color is a powerful tool, which has many uses. It can be used to get attention, create a mood, enhance clarity, establish a code, label things in nature, and differentiate items. Let us look at each of these reasons in detail.
Color is used to attract attention
Colors can be used to emphasize a particular thing. For example in the given example only some words in the instruction is highlighted to show that it is important.
“Select only one option from the options given below”
Similarly you must have noticed that models or dummies in jewelry shops are black. It is done so as to make the jewelry stand out.
Colors may turn on or turn off your mood.
This background glares and causes eye strain
This does not cause eye strainBright colors may tire you and you may have to strain your eyes. Whereas soft colors make it easy for us to spend longer duration of time to read things.
Color enhances clarity
We use color to enhance clarity and readability in the text and graphic elements.
Take a look at this picture where different languages spoken in different parts of our country are indicated using various
colors.Color helps us establish a code
Color can be used to code items, locations, regions, and so on. Colors come in handy to make graphical representation.
Colors have particular connotations
We generally use certain colors to symbolize a particular thing. For example red symbolizes danger, black is generally associated with evil where as white denotes purity. Blue is often used to show sky and water bodies and green is used to illustrate flora and fauna. Of course these connotations differ with culture.
How does color facilitate or impede learning?
Research proves that colors have a psychological impact on learning environment. The choice of color can have a positive or a negative impact on students’ performance and behavior in class. Also colors should be used on the basis of age group the students belong to. Students in lower class respond better in a brightly colored classroom.
I remember when I was in kinder garten the classroom used to be brightly colored, mostly yellow or red color was used. But as I got promoted to higher grades, the color of the classroom changed from yellow or red to green.
Teachers have also used various colors to influence learning outcomes. For example in school we were asked to stick to blue or black ink. And the red ink was supposed to be used by teachers to correct assignments, notebooks, and class works. It was definitely done to draw our attention to the mistake we made. In one way red was threatening but in another way it made us feel anxious and enhanced our learning outcomes, in the sense that we will remember not to repeat the points highlighted in red.
Also while showing the differences between two or three concepts teachers generally make use of colored chalks so as to make the differences prominent. Furthermore in school writing board is black in color so that white color will be easily visible. Another example can be the use of a highlighter to mark an important piece of information in a text book. Color facilitates to memorize and identify different things.
To conclude I would say, colors are most influential aspect of our lives. Without color we cannot see traffic signals or enjoy scenic beauty, and learning techniques would be much more difficult. These signals require perception of color in order to be effective. So colors used in the right proportion can enhance learning and benefit us in a number of ways whereas it will have exactly the opposite if we use too much of it.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Teaching Adults: Is it Different?
In this article, we are going to see how adult learning is different from the way children learn. How is pedagogy different from androgogy? What are the four principles of adult learning and how to put these theories into practice?
First, let us see who is as an adult learner. Wikipedia says an adult learner is a socially accepted person who is involved in any learning process. Learning process can be any type of formal education, informal education or corporate-sponsored education. Teaching includes four elements learner, educator, subject matter and technique.
First, let us see who is as an adult learner. Wikipedia says an adult learner is a socially accepted person who is involved in any learning process. Learning process can be any type of formal education, informal education or corporate-sponsored education. Teaching includes four elements learner, educator, subject matter and technique.
Let us see why adults learn. There can be very many reasons. Some of them are listed below:
· To keep up with the growing competition
· As part of job training
· For financial growth and benefits
· For self-improvement
· To acquire new skills
· To keep up with the growing competition
· As part of job training
· For financial growth and benefits
· For self-improvement
· To acquire new skills
Now let us know about adult learning theory, Malcolm Knowles (1978, 1990) is the theorist who brought the concept of adult learning to the fore. He determined the principles of androgogy. Let us quickly know the differences between androgogy and pedagogy.
What are the principles of adult learning?
• Adults need to know why they need to learn something
• Adults need to learn experientially
• Adults approach learning as problem-solving
• Adults learn best when the topic is of immediate value
In simple words, learning material for the adults should be motivating, it should be experiential or practical, and it should have problem solving approach and should be of immediate value. Now let us look at each of the principles with examples to make it more precise and clear.
• Adults need to know why they need to learn something
• Adults need to learn experientially
• Adults approach learning as problem-solving
• Adults learn best when the topic is of immediate value
In simple words, learning material for the adults should be motivating, it should be experiential or practical, and it should have problem solving approach and should be of immediate value. Now let us look at each of the principles with examples to make it more precise and clear.
Motivational Learning:
• Learning should be meaningful
• The learner should be able to see the end-result of any training program
Example: You might attend a certain training program because if you perform better you might get a hike in your salary.
• Learning should be meaningful
• The learner should be able to see the end-result of any training program
Example: You might attend a certain training program because if you perform better you might get a hike in your salary.
Look at this scenario to understand it better.
You are working in ABC Company. A training program has been scheduled, where you will be trained on MS-Word Application. Let us see the reaction of different employees who are short listed to attend the training program. These people had the following opinion for the training program as shown in the image below.
You are working in ABC Company. A training program has been scheduled, where you will be trained on MS-Word Application. Let us see the reaction of different employees who are short listed to attend the training program. These people had the following opinion for the training program as shown in the image below.
Experiential Learning:
• Learners should be asked to learn by exploring
• It is highly effective in corporate training
• Learners learn by doing
Example: A new application has been launched. You need to familiarize with it. You learn by exploring.
• Learners should be asked to learn by exploring
• It is highly effective in corporate training
• Learners learn by doing
Example: A new application has been launched. You need to familiarize with it. You learn by exploring.
Look at this scenario to understand it better.
Rita works as a front office executive in a mobile store. She has to attend a training program where she will be taught how to handle customers. Two of the participants are asked to volunteer to role-play, one as front office executive and the other as a customer. The following piece of conversation took place between both of them.
Rita works as a front office executive in a mobile store. She has to attend a training program where she will be taught how to handle customers. Two of the participants are asked to volunteer to role-play, one as front office executive and the other as a customer. The following piece of conversation took place between both of them.
Problem solving:• Solving any problem drives learning
• This principle works best for medical students
• A problem is posed so that the students discover that they need to learn something new before they can solve the problem
Example: Medical students are asked to practice operating on dead bodies and then they actually operate live beings.
Look at this scenario to understand it better.
You are working as a trainee call centre executive in a certain company and as part of training program you have to learn how to handle complaints of various customers. To proceed further with this you need to know what do you know, what are you being asked? Now look at the problem-solving cycle to gain a better understanding.
You are working as a trainee call centre executive in a certain company and as part of training program you have to learn how to handle complaints of various customers. To proceed further with this you need to know what do you know, what are you being asked? Now look at the problem-solving cycle to gain a better understanding.
As given in the diagram, you need to take the required action. That is you need to deal with the customer, listen to his/her problem. In the second step, you need to plan how to resolve the problem. In the third step, you need to reply the customer but you also need to check with your superior whether you are heading into the right direction or not before actually performing it.
Immediate value:
• The training program should have direct bearing upon their job
• The training program should be able to step-up the job search process
Example: You would learn certain application only when you will benefit from it immediately.
Immediate value:
• The training program should have direct bearing upon their job
• The training program should be able to step-up the job search process
Example: You would learn certain application only when you will benefit from it immediately.
Look at this scenario to understand it better.
Assume that you and your colleagues are part of a training program, which involves receiving training on typing lesson. Look at what some of the people in that organization had to say.
Assume that you and your colleagues are part of a training program, which involves receiving training on typing lesson. Look at what some of the people in that organization had to say.
Now let us see how to put these principles into practice:
• Lay down clear objectives of the course (need and motivation)
• Inform how they can make the most of training (motivation/immediate value)
• Just do not present learning materials but pose problems so as to induce learning (problem-solving)
• Include assessment and provide immediate feedback
• Offer reward or certificates after the successful completion of the course (immediate value)
• Give real life examples, simulation (experiential)
• Use diagrams wherever needed
To wrap up:
• Learning is a continuous process and is motivation driven
• Adults learn to keep up with the growing need of the industry and to compete
• Adults learn better where they are asked to express their experiences and prior knowledge
• Lay down clear objectives of the course (need and motivation)
• Inform how they can make the most of training (motivation/immediate value)
• Just do not present learning materials but pose problems so as to induce learning (problem-solving)
• Include assessment and provide immediate feedback
• Offer reward or certificates after the successful completion of the course (immediate value)
• Give real life examples, simulation (experiential)
• Use diagrams wherever needed
To wrap up:
• Learning is a continuous process and is motivation driven
• Adults learn to keep up with the growing need of the industry and to compete
• Adults learn better where they are asked to express their experiences and prior knowledge
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Instructional Designing Process
I have seen people involved in the eLearning industry who are not quite aware of what goes into designing an eLearning course. People usually complain that ‘this course is horrible’, ‘oh I think the audio is too fast’, ‘Oh God who has designed this course? Don’t they know we already know this?’
Well, people it is easy to play the blame game but you may not be aware of what goes into making an eLearning course. Hence, this article is devoted to the instructional designing process. Any kind of knowledge imparted in the digital format, is termed as eLearning. It replaces a teacher or an instructor and the learners can learn on his or her own. Instructional designing makes a boring learning experience into an interesting one. Instructional designers try to use the best possible strategy to transfer knowledge and ensure to maintain the quality of the training material.
In simple words, I can define instructional design process as the method of designing the overall learning material or the content for the target audience. However, before you launch an eLearning course as per the requirement, it goes through a number of steps. The following steps make the instructional design process a complete phase.
· Gather requirement
· Analyze those requirements/brainstorming session
· Perform learner/audience analysis
· Analyze the content
· SME Interaction
· Lesson Planning
· Deriving Instructional Strategy
· Storyboarding
· Giving instructions to the graphic developers and programmers
· Reviewing content/review cycle
· Corrective action
· Alpha launch of the course
· Releasing the final course
In the first step, you need to gather all the essential information you need to collect from the client in order to know about the course, what is the overall objective of the course and the like. In the next step you need to analyze those requirements, whether what is the client’s expectation from this course.
The next step is learner analysis. It is one of the important steps involved in the design process, wherein, you examine who is going to use the course material you are going to design. For this, you need to consider the age, educational qualification, prior learning experience of the learner and the like. In the content analysis step, instructional designers go through the content to familiarize themselves with it, to check whether the content, which the client has provided, is enough to design the training material or not. You may have to ask for further inputs in case the material seems to be deficient in information. You can also seek inputs from the subject matter expert better known as SME in consultation with the client.
In the next step, you need to write down the lesson objectives and sequence the whole content for the course. In the next step, you need to define the strategy for the course; whether you need to use animation, create instructor videos, simulation and the type of interactivities to be included and the like.
Subsequently, you make use of all the above steps to place the content in a template, in the form of a storyboard. In the ensuing step you give instructions to the graphic designer, whether what type of animation effect you want to incorporate in your storyboard and the like.
In the next step, you send the storyboard to the reviewer to have another look at it. You incorporate the changes in consultation with the reviewer. Then you send the course for alpha release and if there are no further issues, you go head and release the course finally for the client and the learners.
Phew! A lot goes into making an eLearning course, now folks think before you evaluate an eLearning course next time.
Well, people it is easy to play the blame game but you may not be aware of what goes into making an eLearning course. Hence, this article is devoted to the instructional designing process. Any kind of knowledge imparted in the digital format, is termed as eLearning. It replaces a teacher or an instructor and the learners can learn on his or her own. Instructional designing makes a boring learning experience into an interesting one. Instructional designers try to use the best possible strategy to transfer knowledge and ensure to maintain the quality of the training material.
In simple words, I can define instructional design process as the method of designing the overall learning material or the content for the target audience. However, before you launch an eLearning course as per the requirement, it goes through a number of steps. The following steps make the instructional design process a complete phase.
· Gather requirement
· Analyze those requirements/brainstorming session
· Perform learner/audience analysis
· Analyze the content
· SME Interaction
· Lesson Planning
· Deriving Instructional Strategy
· Storyboarding
· Giving instructions to the graphic developers and programmers
· Reviewing content/review cycle
· Corrective action
· Alpha launch of the course
· Releasing the final course
In the first step, you need to gather all the essential information you need to collect from the client in order to know about the course, what is the overall objective of the course and the like. In the next step you need to analyze those requirements, whether what is the client’s expectation from this course.
The next step is learner analysis. It is one of the important steps involved in the design process, wherein, you examine who is going to use the course material you are going to design. For this, you need to consider the age, educational qualification, prior learning experience of the learner and the like. In the content analysis step, instructional designers go through the content to familiarize themselves with it, to check whether the content, which the client has provided, is enough to design the training material or not. You may have to ask for further inputs in case the material seems to be deficient in information. You can also seek inputs from the subject matter expert better known as SME in consultation with the client.
In the next step, you need to write down the lesson objectives and sequence the whole content for the course. In the next step, you need to define the strategy for the course; whether you need to use animation, create instructor videos, simulation and the type of interactivities to be included and the like.
Subsequently, you make use of all the above steps to place the content in a template, in the form of a storyboard. In the ensuing step you give instructions to the graphic designer, whether what type of animation effect you want to incorporate in your storyboard and the like.
In the next step, you send the storyboard to the reviewer to have another look at it. You incorporate the changes in consultation with the reviewer. Then you send the course for alpha release and if there are no further issues, you go head and release the course finally for the client and the learners.
Phew! A lot goes into making an eLearning course, now folks think before you evaluate an eLearning course next time.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Future of eLearning in India
What is the future of eLearning in India? Is the educated mass of India aware of what eLearning is? Does off-campus education has an edge over traditional method of learning or students still prefer classroom teaching? Which is more useful in this growing competitive world? These are significant questions to consider and central to education system in India but none of us has an exact answer to any of these questions.
Learning is a continuous activity and in today’s competitive world skills get outdated within a few months. In order to climb up the ladder of success one has to keep on acquiring new skills on a regular basis. In India, the number of learners is growing rapidly but there is a dearth of competent teachers. At this point of time online learning, eLearning or CD-based learning, which is fast approaching in India, has emerged to supplement classroom teaching and provide learners just in time learning. Internet has brought people across the globe together. People can register for any university online and take up different disciplines without having to go to a different place. With the advent of different modes of education like online education and distance education, learning has become flexible, anytime and anywhere. It has become geography independent, learner centric and cost effective.
Of late, corporate sectors are embracing eLearning at a rapid pace. It is not only cost effective to provide training to employees via online training materials but it also saves a lot of time and employees can learn on the job without having to devote any extra time to hone new skills. Online learning materials come with various games and interactive ways to engage the learners. Therefore, the new mantra is ‘learn while having fun’. Fun games, quiz and other interactivity in eLearning study materials not only help learners to enjoy learning but in a way, it is trying to create a niche for itself in the traditional system of education. Simulation through games is proving to be a more successful mode of training rather than theoretical education.
To conclude, eLearning has a long way to go and it is quite possible to address various learning needs using online knowledge delivery systems. People who are involved in this industry should try to provide authentic training materials to sustain the faith of the educated mass in online education, only then eLearning and online education will thrive in India.
Learning is a continuous activity and in today’s competitive world skills get outdated within a few months. In order to climb up the ladder of success one has to keep on acquiring new skills on a regular basis. In India, the number of learners is growing rapidly but there is a dearth of competent teachers. At this point of time online learning, eLearning or CD-based learning, which is fast approaching in India, has emerged to supplement classroom teaching and provide learners just in time learning. Internet has brought people across the globe together. People can register for any university online and take up different disciplines without having to go to a different place. With the advent of different modes of education like online education and distance education, learning has become flexible, anytime and anywhere. It has become geography independent, learner centric and cost effective.
Of late, corporate sectors are embracing eLearning at a rapid pace. It is not only cost effective to provide training to employees via online training materials but it also saves a lot of time and employees can learn on the job without having to devote any extra time to hone new skills. Online learning materials come with various games and interactive ways to engage the learners. Therefore, the new mantra is ‘learn while having fun’. Fun games, quiz and other interactivity in eLearning study materials not only help learners to enjoy learning but in a way, it is trying to create a niche for itself in the traditional system of education. Simulation through games is proving to be a more successful mode of training rather than theoretical education.
To conclude, eLearning has a long way to go and it is quite possible to address various learning needs using online knowledge delivery systems. People who are involved in this industry should try to provide authentic training materials to sustain the faith of the educated mass in online education, only then eLearning and online education will thrive in India.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Blogging: A New Way of Sharing Knowledge
Blogging is gaining popularity among people of all age groups these days. It has become the cheapest and one of the most preferred tools to exchange ideas, information and share knowledge. Blogging is like an online journal or a chronicle to share what you know on a particular topic. The topics for blogs can include politics, book reviews, movie reviews or educational subjects. It is a common mode of sharing information and educating students and employees in corporate sectors. Blogging is becoming fast popular because many blogging services allow new users to set up an account for either free or with nominal charges. Blogs have become a platform for researchers, teachers and students to exchange and communicate their ideas and clarify their doubts on any topic.
Blogs have become the best way to provide information or to gain knowledge without having to pay anything. It also provides people of all age groups to come and interact on one platform. It provides learners with the opportunity to present their thoughts and opinions. It is one of the best ways to get feedback on a particular write-up. It is also helpful because people get to interact with experts in a particular domain and gain knowledge. Of late, some people earn via blogging. Therefore, to wrap up I can say that blogging is all about knowledge sharing, a platform to share ideas and gain insight on any subject matter.
Blogs have become the best way to provide information or to gain knowledge without having to pay anything. It also provides people of all age groups to come and interact on one platform. It provides learners with the opportunity to present their thoughts and opinions. It is one of the best ways to get feedback on a particular write-up. It is also helpful because people get to interact with experts in a particular domain and gain knowledge. Of late, some people earn via blogging. Therefore, to wrap up I can say that blogging is all about knowledge sharing, a platform to share ideas and gain insight on any subject matter.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
E learning: The growing need of every organization
Everyone wants to acquire new skills, prepare for different needs of an organization, pursue short-term courses to boost up their careers at their own pace without moving to far-flung places. E learning has made all this easy. E learning is turning out to be the first preference among corporate learning centres and educational institute, to impart training to their employees and students. It provides learner centric training modules hence it has dominance over classroom-based training. The best part about online learning system is that it is flexible. Virtual learning systems like simulation-based E-learning, game-based E learning and mobile learning is expected to drive demand in the future. Today E-learning has become popular among working class adults. E learning gives a variety of learning experience and it comes equipped with diverse ways to engage the attention of the learners. It has made imparting knowledge anytime and anywhere possible. Now it the duty of the people involved in E learning industry to provide the right kind of training material to the target audience according to their needs and requirement and continue the ever-increasing demand of E learning.E Learning is gaining popularity; but still it is new for most of us. Therefore, it is important to think of it as an innovative way of learning with new and different learning skills. As designers of E learning courses, one should approach E Learning with a systematic mind set to become successful. To make it successful, it is advisable to know the needs and prerequisites of the target audience. Lastly, to achieve ultimate success, one should adopt the tips from those who have been down with the e-Learning journey several times. Success in E Learning can offer learners a flexible and enjoyable learning experience.
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