USAID SARI/Energy - What is E-Learning

What is E-Learning

What exactly is e-learning (electronic-learning)? Stated broadly it represents convergence in the education, training and information fields. The term e-learning groups together education, training and structured information delivered by computers, through the Internet, or the Web, or from the hard drive of the computer-or an organization's network. This definition of e-learning includes CBT (Computer-based Training), WBT (Web Based Training), electronic performance support systems, webcasts, listservs and other discussions on the Internet, threaded and unthreaded. Education, training and structured information overlap. The boundaries are not clear as the same materials are used for education, training and information dissemination.

E-learning, specifically in the SARI/Energy Training Program entails a hybrid approach of web-based learning delivered both on CD-ROM and online. Two of our courses are self-paced and one course is facilitated by an online instructor.

8 Reasons Why E-Learning Makes Sense:

E-learning is convenient - you can access it any time, any place.
E-learning reduces travel time and travel costs.
Encourages you to browse information through hyperlinks to sites on the worldwide Web and thereby enabling you to find information relevant to your personal situations.
Allows you to select learning materials, or to be directed to content that meets your level of knowledge, interest and what you need to know to perform more effectively in their particular activity.
Encourages you to take responsibility for your learning succeeding to build self-knowledge and self-confidence.
Accommodates different learning styles and fosters learning through a variety of activities that apply to different learning styles.
Fosters interaction among students and instructors. Interaction stimulates understanding and the recall of information.
Fosters self-paced learning whereby you can learn at the rate they prefer.

5 Issues with E-Learning

All is not rosy on the e-learning front. There are challenges, issues-or optimists might say, opportunities-to address. Issues associated with the use of e-learning are as follows.

Technical difficulties or operator error may hamper students and instructors.
Students and instructors may have gaps in their computer knowledge in such areas as Windows, so they will require training in computer basics before they can start the online learning training.
Using telephones lines and Internet service providers to access Internet services, when required, can lead to high user fees.
Internet bandwidth may not be robust enough to support the desired level of multimedia.
People working in the e-learning field at an individual location may be pioneers and not have the support of a network of more experienced colleagues.

Some terms you may encounter:

Active learning : A process of learning new ideas, skills and attitudes through what we do at work or in other behavioral situations. It is about learning from doing, performing, and taking action. The action can be either mental (e.g. reflection) or physical (e.g. case study). It uses such devices as games, simulations, introspection, role playing, etc.
Asynchronous learning : Any learning event that is delivered after the original live event. Also used to indicate a learning event where the interaction is delayed over time, such as a correspondence course. e.g. discussion boards
Chat : Real-time communication, text or voice. Generally, messages disappear when the session's over. Otherwise, you're probably having a discussion.
Community : A group of people united by a common purpose who share information and knowledge with one another.
Community of Practice : An informal group that shares values, perspectives, and ways of doing things. The motivation to learn is the desire to participate in a "community of practice."
Informal/formal learning : Formal learning is a class, a seminar, a self-study course - everyone recognizes it as learning. Informal learning is over the water cooler, at the poker game, asking the guy in the next cube to help out, collaborative problem solving, watching an expert, or sharing a terminal for eLearning. More than half of corporate learning is the informal kind.
Just-in-time learning : Getting the right knowledge to the right person at the right time.
Learner-centric : Organize things for the good of the learner, not the instructor and not the institution. The core tenet of eLearning.
Learning : To gain knowledge or information of; to ascertain by inquiry, study, or investigation; to acquire understanding of, or skill; as, to learn the way; to learn a lesson; to learn dancing; to learn to skate; to learn the violin; to learn the truth about something.
Performance : The goal of learning. AKA productivity, results. It's relative to context. Decide what constitutes performance, then design the learning to support it.
Synchronous : Live, e.g. chat
Tacit/explicit knowledge : Tacit knowledge is knowing how; it's impossible to transfer to it you in words. Explicit knowledge is the opposite - you're reading it right now.

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