Introduction to e-Learning

1. Introduction to e-Learning Dr. Lam TECM 5180

2. What is wrong with e-learning? • What are your experiences with e-learning? • What made it effective or ineffective? • What were your experiences with technology?

3. What is e-learning? • Any instruction delivered on a digital device that is intended to support learning • Includes both content (information) and instructional methods (techniques) • Can be synchronous (instructor-led) or asynchronous (self-paced)

4. Is e-learning better than classroom learning, or vice versa? • In short, the answer is “no” • According to 318 media studies, it was clear that there was little effect of media on learning • E-learning and classroom-based training both have distinct advantages and disadvantages

5. The Promises of e-Learning • Customized training • Engagement in learning • Multimedia • Acceleration of expertise

6. Customized training • E-learning doesn’t support learning styles, but it does support learner’s unique needs • E-learning content and delivery can be adapted based on work roles and learner’s needs (particularly prior knowledge) • Ch. 14 discusses adaptive e-learning

7. Engagement in Learning • Behavioral engagement- overt action a learner takes (e.g., pressing the forward arrow, typing an answer, drag and drop an item) • Psychological engagement- cognitive processing of content in ways that lead to acquisition of new knowledge and skills (e.g., explaining a complex visual, summarizing a portion of a lesson, taking a practice test)

8. Engagement Matrix

9. Multimedia • Allows you to use a combination of text and audio • Still and motion visuals • Chapters 4-10 will cover the research-based guidelines for using these elements

10. Practice • Answer questions 1-5 on the e-learning examples page

11. Pitfalls of e-Learning • Too much of a good thing • Cognitive overload! • Technology-driven e-learning can be detrimental to learning • Not enough of a good thing • “Page turners” that omit any interactivity • Losing sight of the goal • Discovery learning

12. 3 Types of e-Learning lessons

13. E-Learning Architectures • Receptive- Low interactivity (e.g., new hire orientation) • Directive- Medium interactivity (e.g., procedural training such as software skills) • Guided discovery- High interactivity (e.g., how to negotiate)

14. Practice • Answer questions 6-7

15. Technology-centered vs. Learner-centered • Technology-centered focuses on using cutting edge technologies • Technology-centered retrofits learning into the confines of technology • Learner-centered first examines learner needs and then adapts the technical delivery to meet those needs

16. How do people learn? Three models of learning • Response strengthening – strengthening or weakening associations • Information acquisition – adding information to memory • Knowledge construction – building a mental representation

17. Three Principles of Knowledge Construction • Dual channels - people have separate channels for processing visual/pictorial material and auditory/verbal material • Limited capacity – people can actively process only a few pieces of information in each channel • Active processing – learning occurs when people engage in appropriate cognitive processing during learning • Based on these assumptions, we can use research-based evidence to guide the way we present information.

18. Four steps in learning • Selecting words and images • Organizing words and images • Integrating into our schema • Retrieval of new knowledge and skills long-term memory into working memory

19. The problem is… • The four steps are difficult to accomplish because of demands on cognitive processing capacity. Three common problems: • Too much extraneous processing • Too much essential processing • Insufficient generative processing

20. Managing Challenges to Mental Load

21. Practice • Complete questions 8-11