E-LearningE-Learning

A Seminar

Presented By

Mr. Mohammed Aiyaz HussainLecturer, Computer Science Department

Riyadh Community College

Contents

What is E-Learning?

Effective E-Learning Environment

Types of E-Learning

Benefits and Limitations of E-Learning

How to Plan an E-Learning course

Designing E-Learning Interface

What is E-learning?

Training conducted through the Internet Training conducted through a local or corporate intranet saved onto a CD or DVD and viewed by learners off-line through a web browser combinations of the above

any form of training that uses a computer network for course delivery, interaction, or

facilitation and a browser for learner interaction.

E-Learning is also called Distance Learning,

Computer-Based Training (CBT),

Internet-Based Training (IBT),

Web-Based Training (WBT).

It can include text, video, audio, animation and virtual environments.

It's self-paced, hands-on learning.

What is E-learning?

E-Learning Vs Classroom Learning

E-learning Vs classroom learning is similar to cell phones Vs pay phones at the call cabins.

Cell phones allow you to communicate any time and usually anywhere, by having a properly configured phone.

E-Learning allows you to learn anywhere and usually at any time, by having a properly configured computer.

Effective Training

Quality of any training is in its content and its delivery. Effective training grabs attention and holds itEffective training is patterned to move from one set to another

Listening to a fact Relating a concept to that fact Visualizing the two together

Interweaving different types of information and using different areas of brain – memory Effective training should incorporate – interaction, imagery, and feedback

Effective E-Learning Environment

Keys to successful e-learning include Varying the types of content – images, sounds, text Creating interaction that engages attention - quizzes Providing immediate feedback Encouraging interaction with other e-learners and e-

instructor – chat rooms, e-mail, instant messaging

E-learning is motivatingIt has ‘fun’ elements like video, audio, animation – creates interest & curiosity

– leads to better retention and faster learningIt offers convenience

E-learning beats classroom scene

Things that greatly affects memory and recall Using colors and specific color combinations Combining images with words Combining sounds with images Using multiple types of media Using layouts that flow with natural movement of eye

Types of E-Learning

E-learning falls into four categories

Knowledge databases – most basic form of e-learning indexed explanations and guidance, step-by-step

instructions moderately interactive – type in a key word or phrase

to search the database, or make a selection from an alphabetical list

Online support – functions in a similar manner to knowledge databases

forums, chat rooms, online bulletin boards, e-mail, or live instant-messaging support

Slightly more interactive can ask more specific questions and answers, can get more immediate answers

Levels of E-Learning

Synchronous training – – is real-time training. resembles classroom training - all learners go through

the course at the same time. Through the Web, an instructor and students can be

logged into the same place at the same time and interact more or less simultaneously.

Examples include video-, satellite-, or teleconferencing, Microsoft NetMeeting Benefit – everyone is together in a classroom-type environment. Drawback – everyone has to be together at the same time, which may be a problem across time zones, jobs shifts, and personal schedules.

Levels of E-Learning

Asynchronous training – – independent of time or location may be self-study or instructor-led.

self-study method – using links to reference materials in place of a live instructor

effective when teaching do not require a high degree of interaction between the learner and the instructor and/or other learners.

Instructor-led method – regular interaction with the instructor and possibly other students, using e-mail, bulletin boards, and similar tools.

The distinction is all learners interact with each other on their own time and schedule.

Examples include a typing skills course, an on-line C++ programming course

Benefits of E-Learning

It's less expensive to produce

It's self-paced

It’s self-directed and moves faster

It can work from any location and any time

It can be updated easily and quickly

It can lead to increased retention and a stronger grasp on the subject

24/7 accessibility makes scheduling and managing easy for large groups of students

Benefits of E-Learning

It provides a consistent message

Enhances computer and Internet skills

Travel time and associated costs are reduced or eliminated

Inexpensive Worldwide Distribution

Cross-platform Support

Limitations of E-Learning

Computer literacy and access to equipment

Some topics are not appropriate for e-Learning

Students themselves can be a limitation to e-Learning

e-Learning requires a high level of student responsibility

student must be well organized, self-motivated, and have good time management skills

Planning an E-Learning Course

Know the audience skill levels

Prepare objectives of the course

Know the delivery method

Know limitations of the users' hardware

Organize – Break your content up into manageable modules – not more than 20 min. = 1 hr. of class room-based training

Easy navigation

Prepare an outline

How to incorporate text, audio, video, animation, feedback (quizzes)

E-learning & User Interface Design

Single most neglected topic – Interaction between students and computersPoorly designed interface – confusing menus, unclear buttons, illogical links – scare studentsGUI makes computing easier but…Items that dictate user-computer interactions – menus, languages, options, screen layout, commands, relationship between objectsInterface design flaws user frustrations

What I am supposed to do now? – poor instructions Did I finish everything there is? – too many hyper-links How do I get out of this thing? – no clear, easy exit path What’s it doing? Is it hung up? – no status messages

Designing E-learning User Interfaces

Status messages – display message when computer is busy for longer than 4 sec.Reversible actions (Undo or Back) – protects user from making incorrect choices/errors

Log-in screens – review log-in data for accuracy during program registration

Exiting the program – provide confirmation message Taking a test – confirm before starting test Previous page (undo) – provide button to go back Replay audio/video (redo) – provide button to replay

Mouse & keyboard – support both optionsOne-click access to Help, Menus, and Exit (most frequently used functions)

Designing E-learning User Interfaces

Consistency in interface appearance and behavior are paramountUse clear and logical screen layouts

Place screen objects together in logical order Place buttons where users can find them easily Give buttons clear symbols or labels Group buttons based on their function and frequency

of use

‘Z’ pattern of reading Top – critical instruction and location information Middle – instructional material Bottom – navigation bar

Designing E-learning User Interfaces

Maximize effectiveness of menu system no more than seven items else split into sub-levels order or placement of items match task structure most commonly used items at top sub-menus titles should reflect option from previous

menu

Using multiple access points Well organized and descriptive Main menu Book mark and tracking history file Index of key topics Keyword search Site map or content map – visual representation of

topics order

Designing E-learning User Interfaces

Be consistent in visual cues

Use clear messages and be consistent in media choices

Include page counters

Make help and instructions easily accessible

Make messages polite

Thank you for attending

Any Questions????