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UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

ICT TRAINING CENTER

ECDLP INTERMEDIATE PRESENTATION-WHY E-LEARNING?

NAME OF LECTURER: MR YUSIF AMADU

PRESENTED BY GROUP 1 ABBAN DAVID KOJO AKO ADJEI CHRISTY APPIAH KWAKYE KINGSLEY ARDAY MILDRED HARRY JOHN WATENBERG NUNOO GHARTEY ESI OMARI FLORENCE OSEI EMMANUEL TANYE NICHOLAS OPOKU PRINCE 10344796 10337167 10256541 10347220 10337827 10306912 10243970 10336062

DATE: 12TH APRIL 2011.

WHY E-LEARNING? WHAT IS E-LEARNING? ELearning (also spelled e-Learning) is broadly defined as education or training that is created or delivered using a computer or other learning technologies. E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process. E-learning is essentially the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge APPROACHES TO E-LEARNING Computer-Based Training (CBT): Computer-Based Trainings (CBTs) are self-paced learning activities accessible via a computer or handheld device. CBTs typically present content in a linear fashion, much like reading an online book or manual. For this reason they are often used to teach static processes, such as using software or completing mathematical equations. Web-Based Training (WBT): WBTs are delivered via the Internet using a web browser. Assessments are easily scored and recorded via online software, providing immediate end-user feedback and completion status. Users are often able to print completion records in the form of certificates. Electronic Performance Support Systems (EPSS): Electronic performance support systems (EPSS) are a "computer-based system that improves worker productivity by providing on-the-job access to integrated information, advice, and learning experiences". 1991, Barry Raybould Distance or online learning and online tutorials: Methods of instruction that utilize different communications technologies to carry teaching to learners in different places. Distance education programs enable learners and teachers to interact with each other by means of computers, artificial satellites, telephones, radio or television broadcasting, or other technologies. Instruction conducted through the mail is often referred to as correspondence education, although many educators simply consider this the forerunner to distance education Computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) is one of the most promising innovations to improve teaching and learning with the help of modern information and communication technology. Most recent developments in CSCL have been called E-Learning 2.0, but the concept of collaborative or group learning whereby instructional methods are designed to encourage or require students to work together on learning tasks has existed much longer. Technology enhanced learning (TEL) has the goal to provide socio-technical innovations (also improving efficiency and cost effectiveness) for e-learning practices, regarding individuals and organizations, independent of time, place and pace. The field of TEL therefore applies to the support of any learning activity through technology HISTORY OF E-LEARNING

In the early 1960s, Stanford University psychology professors Patrick Suppes and Richard C. Atkinson experimented with using computers to teach math and reading to young children in elementary schools in East Palo Alto, California. Stanford's Education Program for Gifted Youth is descended from those early experiments. 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. As early as 1993, William D. Graziadei described an online computer-delivered lecture, tutorial and assessment project using electronic mail. In 1997 he published an article which described developing an overall strategy for technology-based course development and management for an educational system. He said that products had to be easy to use and maintain, portable, replicable, scalable, and immediately affordable, and they had to have a high probability of success with long-term cost-effectiveness. William D. Graziadei, Sharon Gallagher,Ronald N. Brown,Joseph Sasiadek Building Asynchronous and Synchronous Teaching-Learning Environments: Exploring a Course/Classroom Management System Solution. In 1997 Graziadei, W.D., et al., published an article entitled "Building Asynchronous and Synchronous Teaching-Learning Environments: Exploring a Course/Classroom Management System Solution". They described a process at the State University of New York (SUNY) of evaluating products and developing an overall strategy for technology-based course development and management in teaching-learning. The product(s) had to be easy to use and maintain, portable, replicable, scalable, and immediately affordable, and they had to have a high probability of success with long-term cost-effectiveness. Today many technologies can be, and are, used in e-learning, from blogs to collaborative software, eportfolios, and virtual classrooms. Most eLearning situations use combinations of these techniques. EXAMPLES OF E-LEARNING KEWL.NEXTGEN SITE as used by the University of Ghana The use of student webmail and MIS systems to communicate information such as exams score Social Learning-Sharing of academic work via social networks such as facebook Presentation of assignments in typed hardcopies STATISTICS ON E-LEARNING By 2006, 3.5 million students were participating in on-line learning at institutions of higher education in the United States. According to the Sloan Foundation reports, there has been an increase of around 1214 percent per year on average in enrollments for fully online learning over the five years 20042009 in the US post-secondary system, compared with an average of approximately 2 per cent increase per year in enrollments overall. Allen and Seamen (2009) claim that almost a quarter of all students in post-secondary education were taking fully online courses in 2008, and a report by Ambient Insight Research suggests that in 2009, 44 per cent of post-secondary students in the USA were taking some or all of their courses online, and projected that this figure would rise to 81 percent by 2014. Thus it can be seen that e-learning is

moving rapidly from the margins to being a predominant form of post-secondary education, at least in the USA. Did you know that 43% of the current workforce will be eligible to retire by the year 2015? What about the next generation workforce? According to the Society for Human Resource Management's 2005 survey, 62% of HR professionals reported difficulties hiring workers with the skills essential for a 21st century workforce. WHY E-LEARNING? Easier form of learning: most students are now using the internet everyday to support their school studies. This system is not only interesting for students but also enables students to work and learn at the same time, thereby making education more flexible. E-learning makes communication with students easier as they get quick feedback. Learners get the chance to access information whenever they want. It also allows students to learn at their desired speed. Affordable than the traditional classroom/Cost savings: Considering costs of instructorled training versus eLearning, the bottom line is that once you implement the Learning Management System (LMS), you can provide training classes 24/7, year-round at a much lower cost than instructor-led classes. If you have a large number of learners, you can quickly amortize the initial start-up costs of implementing the Learning Management System (LMS) and developing the e-Learning courses Consistency: Effective instruction depends upon a clear, consistent message delivered to learners when they are receptive to learning. ELearning ensures that all learners receive a consistent message. By using audio, visuals, interactivity, and simulation, eLearning can accommodate the various learning styles to communicate the message more effectively. Can take place in multiple places/it is mobile: Many people can be connected to an online forum in the form of a lecture without any physical contact. This means that people are involved teaching and learning from different locations simultaneously. Also it does not involve the routine attendance of lectures in the same building or classroom which makes it dynamic in the sense that it can be accessed from any computer connected with internet. Increased productivity/success: According to a recent report by Bersin & Associates, companies who employ training and development best practices through e-Learning significantly outperform their peers: Revenue generation per employee in these organizations is 26 percent higher, turnover rates are 40 percent lower and, these companies are 24 percent less likely to have had layoffs during the last recession. Reduced material cost: e-learning involves the use of informational resources through the usage of computers and web based learning and therefore will not require markers, dusters, chalk, public sound systems, buildings etc which needs routine replacements. E-learning therefore has a significant role in reducing cost in teaching and learning.

LIMITATIONS OF E-LEARNING It is expensive: The cost of the hardware and software part of a computer is expensive as compared to the stationery used the normal classroom learning situation. The initial cost of

starting an institution which uses electronic devices for learning is much more than the cost for a traditional classroom scene. This is due to the expensive nature of technology. It requires technical skills: With e-learning the teacher has to be a computer literate to be able to educate the students, there is therefore an extra prerequisite for a teacher to possess skills in technology to teach, on the other hand the students are supposed to know how to use these electronic devices to enable them access some information on the internet or access their semester results online. In the case in which students cannot such things then some of the aims of e-learning might be lost. Storage media instability: information and data are sometimes transferred through media devices such as computers, radio and others. However, this data and information pertaining to elearning are sometimes lost when e.g a computer hard disk crushes or a person is unable to get notes from a radio. This can therefore limit the rate of learning activity among people willing to learn through e-learning. Security-computer fraud/hacking/viruses: With e-learning some of it is concerned with computers and internet. However computers can be hacked into by hackers and crackers and also softwares can be attacked by dangerous viruses. This therefore disturbs e-learning in the case that important information or data is lost to these viruses and hackers. Also, people can be defrauded into believing distance learning programmes which is also a limitation of distance learning e-learning package EFFECTS OF E-LEARNING POSITIVE EFFECTS It gives people the opportunity to learn without teachers: Through the internet people can receive tutorials on their courses and also receive course documents which they can read on their own without having physical contact with teachers which will go a long way to expose them to the same opportunities as those in schools. Mistakes in the assessment of students are reduced: student assessment in the form of objectives can easily be done through the use of assessment based softwares. This helps to reduced mistakes drastically since these softwares are mostly accurate It provides more research base for students: the exposure to the internet provides so many opportunities to students in the form of informational resources which helps them in their assignments and researches NEGATIVE EFFECTS It makes students lazy in learning: There is no doubt that e-learning has made the learning process easier and less tiring. Nevertheless, the cumbersome process of learning, the manual style is progressive way of making students hardworking. Going to the library for research work and going to companies and organizations to fill questions is a way of grooming students for the outside market. All these experiences are lost in e-learning The intended purpose of learning is sometimes deviated into social networks: During the learning process, students are exposed to all kinds of networks online. And since there is no physical person to guide students, they can easily turn to any social network such as Hi5, facebook and other. All these gives students divided attention and does not encourage learning.

There is sometimes no face to face interaction which does not encourage learning: Also with e-learning, there is no student to teacher relationship. This is because the computer allows for the communication and this does not put any touch of seriousness in the learning process. Also teachers do not only teach but only provide word of encouragement and inspiration to strengthen our decisions of being scholars SUMMARY E-Learning encompasses CBT, WBT and other electronic delivery forms of training and teaching. The authoring of eLearning must be done methodically, considering the user interface and effective transfer of knowledge

REFERENCES http://on.wikipedia.org/wiki/e-learning www.123help.com (retrieved on 2nd April,2011) www.advanceonline.com (retrieved on 2nd April,2011) www.ehow.com/list_724091-uses-comp-insurance.html (retrieved on 2nd April,2011)

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