E-learning includes numerous types of media that deliver text, audio, images, animation, and streaming video, and includes technology applications and processes such as audio or video, and computer-based learning, as well as local intranet/extranet and web-based learning. Information and communication systems, whether free-standing or based on either local networks or the Internet in networked learning, underly many e-learning processes.
The modern day e-learning environment can be divided into two categories: synchronous and asynchronous.
Synchronous e-learning involves online studies through chat and videoconferencing. This kind of learning tool is real-time. It is like a virtual classroom which allows students to ask, and teachers to answer questions instantly, through instant messaging, which is why it is called synchronous. Rather than taking lessons alone, students associating themselves with synchronous e-learning software or online courses can easily interact with fellow students and their teachers during the course.
Asynchronous learning can be carried out even while the student is offline. Asynchronous e-learning involves coursework delivered via web, email and message boards that are then posted on online forums. In such cases, students ideally complete the course at their own pace, by using the internet merely as a support tool rather than volunteering exclusively for an e-learning software or online interactive classes.
When considering a delivery method for your training, you should consider the differences between “classroom” and online concepts. Below is a chart that will help you in determining what delivery methods you should consider to implement your training objectives.
There is really no standard answer for using online over classroom training. However, the following list might be helpful when analyzing how online learning might be implemented into a training curriculum and improve the learning process.
When something is new, it can feel complex and difficult. And when you’re first getting into e-learning and you view a final course, it is hard to imagine what all the moving pieces are—especially since you’re viewing slides one at a time.
However, when you peel back the curtain and look at the most basic elements of an e-learning course, you’ll realize that many of these elements are part of most e-learning courses. If you’ve taken or designed at least one online course, you should recognize most of these common course building blocks.
While there’s no rule that governs which elements are in every course, it’s often helpful for new users to know the basics about each element and where it fits in the overall course structure.
The course welcome screen is the first slide your learners see. In addition to welcoming learners visually, it usually also provides options for navigating the course modules.
Welcome slides can be static or interactive. Static screens will include the course title and include engaging imagery to set the tone of the course.
Interactive slides can include static images combined with video introductions or animations synced with text and audio narration.
The purpose of the instructions slide is to help learners understand the general functionality of the course player so they know how to navigate through the course. Course instruction slides can be either static or interactive.
Static instructions slides will use arrows, callouts, and text to point out the important features of the course player. Noteworthy features typically include navigation buttons, resource tabs, a transcript menu, and help buttons.
Interactive instructions slides can include narrated videos that demonstrate the course features by syncing annotations and callouts to the narration.
Instructions slides are more important in custom courses that use non-standard navigation or that introduce a new course format. The course player and navigation are pretty standard with today’s e-learning tools, so not every course will need to include this slide. Many course designers prefer to let learners choose whether to view 