e-learning Trends & Opportunities

1. e-learning Trends & Opportunities Shweta Shroff LIS Officer, CEE 5th lecture under ADINET Monthly Lecture Series 24 April 2008

2. Scope of this lecture • Definitions • Techniques • History • Advantages • Categories • Formal e-learning -ODL in India for LIS community • Informal and work-based e-learning • Major e-resources for learning • Trends in e-learning • E-learning in LIS Curriculum

3. e-learning is • The effective learning process created by combining digitally delivered content with (learning) support and services. - The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council, UK • The effective teaching and learning process created by combining e-digital content with local community and tutor support along with global community engagement. - The Network for Capacity Building and Knowledge Exchange (NetTel@Africa)

4. e-Learning is • The use of network technology to design, deliver, select, administer, and extend LEARNING. – Elliott Masie, The Masie Center • Electronic learning or e-Learning is a general term used to refer to a form of learning in which the instructor and student are separated by space or time where the gap between the two is bridged through the use of online technologies. - Wikipedia

5. In general Instructional content (education and training) or learning experiences supported, delivered or enabled by electronic technology Any learning that utilizes electronic technology and network (LAN, WAN or internet) for delivery, interaction or facilitation

6. E-learning techniques • Web-based learning • Computer-based learning • Virtual classrooms • Digital collaborations • Content delivery via • E-networks • Audio or video tape • Satellite TV • Video conferencing • CD-ROM • E-mail • Wireless & mobile technology etc.

7. E-learning advantages • Easy to Use - any location and any time • Operates in real time • individual, Self directed, self-paced and convenient • Comprehensive • Dynamic, interactive • quick, moves faster • Cross platform • Can lead to increased retention & a stronger grasp on the subject , empowering • Proven and Certified • Age no bar

8. E-learning advantages (cont…) • less expensive to produce • Pre and post skill assessments measure the progress • updation is easy & quick • easily manageable for large groups of students

9. Categories • Formal learning • Informal learning • Blended learning • Communities • Knowledge Management • Networked learning • Work-based learning

10. Biggest advantage for LIS community Where do we want to be tomorrow? Performance Gap What are we today?

11. LISc Courses in India MLISc (17) BLISc (26) Certificate (6) Diploma (3) PG Diploma (2) • Source: http://www.webindia123.com/career/correspondence/libra.htm

12. E-learning opportunities Some useful web links • http://www.librarysupportstaff.com • http://library20.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=515108%3ABlogPost%3A30994 • http://home.earthlink.net • http://www.oclc.org/americalatina/pt/support/training/firstsearch/tutorial/default.htm • http://www.ala.org/ala/accreditation/lisdirb/lisdirectory.cfm • http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=442 • www.cilip.org.uk • http://lu.com/odlis/about.cfm

13. Some useful web links (cont…) • http://library.boisestate.edu/Reference/BBRIN/jargon.htm • http://www.ipl.org/ • http://www.loc.gov/rr/askalib/virtualref.htm • http://www.e-learningcenter.com • http://esl.about.com/cs/onlinecourses/a/a_ecourses.htm • http://www.english-online.org.uk/ • http://www.languageshome.com/ • http://www.better-english.com/exerciselist.html • http://www.unt.edu/slis/apppacket/ITKS/ITKSassess.htm • http://www.docnmail.com/resources.htm

14. Some useful web links (cont…) Free tutorials • http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/ • http://www.educationonlineforcomputers.com/ • http://www.teacherclick.com/ • http://www.businessbookmall.com/Software%20Tutorials%20Internet%20Library.htm • http://www.3dtree.com/ev/e/sb.htm • http://www.mytutorials.com/tutorials/ • http://www.video-tutes.com/

15. Online tools • Encyclopaedia, Wikis • Directories, Dictionaries, glossaries • Thesaurus • Audio, Video clips • Journals, Articles, Reports etc. • Blogs, Games, tutorials • Virtual Learning Centres (VLC) • Virtual Communities, Discussion boards, Social networks • Listservs/ infoservs – India-LIS, NPDG-L, Univers, SLA • Organisations’ websites • CAS sites – informedlibrarian, infolibrarian • Portals

16. Popular e-tutors in India • IGNOU • NIIT:e-college • Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning • Annamalai Univ.:Online Ph.D. • BITS Virtual Campus:BITS programmes • eGuru:Online tuitions • Gurukulonline:Web-based programmes • Tutorvisa: Online tuitions • MBD Alchemie: Online tuitions • IITs, IISc:E-learning repositories Gurus are in short supply the workd over. Technology can make the great teachers available to thousands of students. - Uday Singh, Exe. V.P. & Head, NIIT Ref: Click, enter campus: Cover story of the Week. Oct. 2007.

17. Recent trends in e-learning • E-learning as a business strategy • A strategic solution • For new employee • For manager • For IT professional • Application-specific e-learning solutions • Blended learning • Collaborative learning

18. Trends (cont…) • Use of variety of e-resources • E-textbooks, portals, open sources, wikis • Game-based learning • Instant Messaging (IM) & chat • Live e-learning, e-lectures • Mobile & wireless e-learning • Peer-to-peer (p2p) e-learning

19. Some challenges • Maintaining the volume yet increasing the quality of the e-learning • Adding simulations and other high-fidelity activities and exercises to learning programs. • Reducing the cost and complexity of LMS implementations while increasing use • Creating learning environments in which learners can find just what they need – including training, reference information, and performance support • Helping learners learn from each other through communities of practice, blogs, wikis, and other forms of self-published content • Standardization

20. E-learning in LIS Curriculum • Recommend e-courses • Develop e-courses • Supplement courses …i.e.Blended learning

21. Tips for online course evaluation • Learner support & resources • Course information • Online support • Content support • Channels for feedback on resources & support • Online information & design • Completeness • Clear syllabus • Aesthetic design • Consistent & functional • Accessibilities • Channels for feedback

22. Tips (cont…) • Instructional design & delivery • Opportunities for interaction • Alignment of course objectives to learning outcomes • Clearly defined learning outcomes • Variety of learning tasks • Critical thinking tasks • Channels for feedback on instructional design • Assessment & evaluation of student learning • Opportunities for self-assessment • Alignment between objectives, activities & assessments • Comprehensive assessment strategy • Opportunities for students to receive feedback • Channels for learners’ feedback on assessment strategy

23. In short Course should have SMILE S – Simple M – Motivating I – Interactive LE – Learner-centric environment

24. Nine quick wins in e-learning • Use what is available • Make sure there's something for everyone • Obtain senior management involvement • Solve real problems • Use the full range of e-learning methods • Provide a gateway to learning • Look for a receptive audience • Don't sacrifice the long term • Value quality than quantity

25. Supplementing courses Strategies • set of goals or objectives • Conduct a needs assessment • Review learners readiness • Resources assessment • Obtain management direction • Top-down • Bottom-up • Content development • Evaluation mechanism • Consistent and thorough documentation

26. Assess your resources • Technology • Content • Administration and support  • Communication • Financial • costs for technology, authoring tools, course development, support, and administration • Free or priced • calculations for how long it will take for you to break-even and the return on investment

27. Some tips to start with… • Provide e-career information • Reuse content the practical way • Provide online references • send learners daily, weekly, or monthly tips via email • Prepare a dedicated Website • About the topic/courses • brief how-to articles that explain how to perform a task • Content could be in PDF, RTF (if word file), CSV (if spreadsheets) etc.

28. Conclusion The question is no longer if the Internet can be used to transform learning in new and powerful ways. The studies have shown that it can. Nor is the question should we invest the time, the energy, and the money necessary to fulfill its promise in defining and shaping new learning opportunity. We should. It is time we collectively move the power of the Internet for learning from promise to practice.

29. Quote “On the road to e-Learning, make sure that Learning is in the driving seat, and Technology is in the passenger seat with the map. Learning decides the destination, Technology helps you get there.” Ian Fyfe Learndirect Scotland

30. Thank You