In my last post, I
discussed why it’s important to incorporate multiple learning styles in a
training program. Technology offers to best opportunities to do that. In this
post, let’s look at what online learning actually is.
The U.S. Distance
Learning Association (USDLA) seems to concur that there is no official,
agreed-upon definition of online learning. There is however one commonality
among various camps: the integration of instructional media. The USDLA calls
out the use of technology infrastructures to make more “effective learning
opportunities more accessible to all learners, whatever their age, location, or
reason for learning.”
They go on to say, “It
includes e-learning, texting, social networking, virtual worlds, game-based
learning, and webinars. It’s the Internet. It’s Google. It’s broadband and
satellite and cable and wireless. Corporate universities. Virtual universities.
Blended learning, mobile learning. It’s using our phones and computers and
whatever technology comes next, in new ways.” In other words, online learning
is using technology to help students of all ages learn new concepts. We see it
all the time with children’s apps to learn spelling, math, music and more.
We’re starting to see
online learning more with adult learning as well through Learning Management
Systems (LMS), which are often programs that incorporate videos, podcasts and
academic information for adult learners. These can be synchronous (the course
participants and lecturer all have to be online at the same time) or asynchronous
(the course participants can access the information online, at any time).
Learning is Collaborative
Despite the appeal of
customization, learning is collaborative and continues to rely on community.
Most people think that collaborative learning means face-to-face training.
However, online learning allows students to engage in meaningful ways through
video, chat, journals or other multimedia options.
A New York Times piece concluded that the “real promise of online education” is the nature by which it can be tailored to suit individual needs.
It’s not just the
addition of multimedia, such as video and chat that engages students better;
the way multi-media are used in course design may have a strong impact as well.
For example, the study shows that interactive video vs. non-interactive video
may impact learning more significantly. Interactive video allows students to
control the way they absorb information, such as fast-forwarding through a
video or watching it multiple times. Are the students able to watch video in
any order they wish, or is course content set to prevent any form of deviation?
These types of tweaks make training programs more or less effective.
One big advantage of
online learning is increased collaboration, which every organization could use.
In traditional college classrooms, most students try to engage with each other
and form study communities, to help each other learn the material. Online
learning makes collaboration easier. For those who normally would not be able
to collaborate in person, technology brings a wealth of knowledge to the
student’s fingertips, giving access to the best experts and resources in every
medium you can imagine.
Being online is
already a part of our everyday life; it makes sense to integrate it into one of
the most important pillars of our society: education.
Being online is already a part of our everyday life; it makes
sense to integrate it into one of the most important pillars of our society:
education.
Let’s share experiences. Leave a comment below, send us an email, or find us on Twitter.
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