As education moves into the 21st century schools are considering the use of online learning as a tool to support, supplement or even become the primary means for conveying curriculum. Before your school can consider adopting online or e-learning as a means of educating its students the author recommends reviewing, discussing and evaluating several important factors. Among these factors includes the topic of what type of e-learning is best for your school community when considering the needs of the students and staff. The four types of e-learning I will be discussing and evaluating include a) Informal Learning b) Self-paced Learning c) Leader-led Learning and d) Performance Support Tools (Broadbent, 2002). Although most schools will opt for either 100% e-learning or 100% conventional learning, the option of a hybrid or blended type of learning should also be considered. The terms hybrid and blended learning refer to the combination of conventional and e-learning methods (Broadbent, 2002). I urge you to review the needs of your students, the school community and the staff you have, along with the technology support and systems you have available when considering which of the four types of e-learning works best for your educational setting. Below is a list of the four types of e-learning as well as explanations and examples.
Informal Learning:
In this type of e-learning environment students are able to access websites and online communities to gain information. Although this particular style of learning is easily accessible because it is found on the Internet it lacks the formal learning of the other types of e-learning mentioned. Many of us rely on informal learning from day to day to gain information and a better understanding on topics of interest. One such example would be the California Academy of Sciences website as well as their podcasts found on iTunes in the iTunesU category. Learners can easily navigate through the website and follow links to information to aide in STEM educational programs. Sites like the California Academy of Sciences also offer the option of joining their online discussion groups through the use of Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and by following various instructors’ blogs.
Self-Paced Learning:
In a Self-paced learning environment learners are able to determine the speed, and occasionally the sequence, of their coursework. This is a more formal application of learning and requires specific curriculum that is delivered via the web or Internet. Curriculum is determined with goals and objectives in mind and then delivered via web based programs like Moodle, Blackboard, Wikispaces, or even Edmodo. Self-paced e-learning includes the “learner, content and technology” (Broadbent, 2002). The technology may not only include the online environments as mentioned earlier, but within the environment learners may find videos, podcasts and other learning objects.
Leader-Led Learning:
Leader-led, or Instructor-led, e-learning is considered to be a popular method of online learning that involves the learner as well as instructors, coaches, mentors or online facilitators (Broadbent, 2002). The instructors often times lead the students through the course and in discussions via live video chats (examples: Skype, Oovoo, TokBox, and Rondee) or through threaded discussion posts used in Moodle, Blackboard, or Edmodo. Synchronous, or live video, discussions and demonstrations lead by an instructor are often used to demonstrate specific learning activities or applications while asynchronous tools like discussion threads are used to allow the discussion of concepts or topics taught within the coursework. An example of Leader-led Learning would include Marian University’s Action Research Course that has been taught using Wikispaces. In the Action Research course, students can make their way through a series of modules to complete an action research project with guidance from an instructor.
Performance Support Tools:
These are easily defined as support tools that learners can access when completing tasks related to software or technology tools. Examples include the question marks (?) within the Moodle software, FAQ or Help Forums in Web 2.0 Tools like Animoto, or the tutorial “Wizards” found in the Web 2.0 Tool Voki and software like Microsoft Word. Performance Support Tools may also include demonstration videos or step-by-step instructions.
Although there are four-types of e-learning described here, the idea of a combination should be considered. Currently within the Marian University Educational Technology Masters degree program we use Moodle and Wikispaces for our coursework. While all courses are Leader-Led Learning, there are pieces of Self-Paced Learning as well as Performance Support Tools that are embedded within the curriculum and the coursework. It is of my opinion that a combination that creates balance as it provides a strong learning experience for all involved is important to creating a quality e-learning environment.
Each of the four types of e-learning have their own unique challenges, benefits and outcomes that must be weighed and examined when considering what is most appropriate for your educational setting. Other factors that must be considered when putting curriculum online include the learner’s perspective as well as the instructor’s perspective and training. Other members that may be involved in the online learning include the developer and the manager. Each participants role in e-learning needs to be considered when designing an e-learning program. For further information and consideration of the topic of e-learning I encourage you to read the following resource used in this post.
Broadbent, Brooke. (2002). ABCs of e-learning: Reaping the benefits and avoiding the pitfalls. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer.
Class participation