“Virtual schooling’s greatest power is that it ‘creates the opportunity to reconsider what’s feasible.“
1) Advances in information technology have opened doors for collecting, storing, and disseminating information. We are now at a stage of flexible learning you are able to access educational matter anywhere and anytime, anyone having access to internet has access a global resource pool and collaborate globally. Examples of online learning include:
1) Asynchronous e-Learning
This is encompasses self-paced learning and discussion groups. People has access to the learning material at anytime. Self-paced courses have the following features and benefits:
- Simulation (providing mocks of real system)
- Online experts
2) Syncronous e-Learning, examples include:
- Virtual Classrooms: Simulates what you see in a real classroom, its a place to meet virtually, and learners can be via taught by using Slide presentations in conjunction with the live lecture.
- Audio and video conferencing: Some technologies used; Webex/Skype/Lync.
- Shared whiteboards lets groups of people communicate by typing comments drawing, highlighting and pointing on a shared space – much like a mind map where the contributors and collaborators are all located in different places on the globe.
- Instant messaging to discuss class topics and ask questions.
References:
e-learningconsulting.com
http://www.americanexperiment.org/sites/default/files/article_pdf/Online%20Learning.pdf
DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, Vol. 31, No. 3, May 2011, pp. 179-188
2) Suggestions for improving the Microsoft Learning Website:
- Make it more user-friendly
- Visuals and Design: Make it more appealing: The visuals of a course will shape the users’ impressions and attitudes when approaching it, and if the course looks boring, outdated, and unprofessional.
- Interactivity: Not possible to actively engaged with the content
- Content: Provide a more detailed catalogue and more informative help guide.
- Poll/Survey: We learners can provide feedback on the courses and the website itself, so that Microsoft can take their inputs and make changes if necessary.
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