Implementing E-Learning Solutions



Implementing E-Learning Solutions

Introduction

E-Learning is the advanced way of learning and teaching. It is a mean of solving performance and authentic learning problems. There are different desirable attributes involved in this paradigm of learning that includes institutional support, course development, student support, teaching and learning, evaluation and assessment, and pedagogical principles of course development for virtual class rooms (Govindasamy, 2009). This assignment presents a situational aspect to act as a team coordinator of instructional designers for creating and implementing an e-learning project. The team coordinator has to provide holistic and comprehensive knowledge to the novice members about the use of collaborative tools, approaches to communicate, collaborate, and interact; discussing best media practices, and understanding the role of instructional design models.

Discussion

Definition of E-Learning

Many authors find commonalties to define e-learning or online learning with the support of their particular literature reviews. Mark Nicholas defines e-learning as a discipline that is only accessible through the use of technological tools that are web-capable, web-based, or web-distributed. Ryann Ellis defies his statement and not only restrict his definition to delivery of content and instructional methods, but also includes interactive TV, audio and videotape, and satellite broadcast as technological characteristics for learning.

E-Learning is the current phenomena that underlie the pedagogical principles of learning and teaching. In the broadest definition, it is the use of wireless technologies to offer diverse range of training solutions to enhance the performance and knowledge.

Collaboration and Related Tools

Conversation and communication are key tools for learning. These tools aid to adapt learners with new experiences and expectation during learning. These collaborative and related tools include computer networks, bulletin board systems, online presentation tools, whiteboards, e-mail, chat lines, free-lance instructor exchange programs, interplanetary chat networks, collaborative learning portals, and other array of collaborative tools and online resources.

Recommendation

The application of collaborative tools such as Ping Pong, Moodle, and Blackboard in academic organizations will help the team members to better understand and execute these tools in the traditional and virtual classrooms (Fish & Wickersham, 2009). These tools work on the web-based systems. Internet connectivity is only technical requirement to run this software. Students can get access to various interactive features such as message board, discussion, chat, reference, ask/answer question, and project groups. These collaborative tools can also be integrated with videoconferencing for e-meeting and sound streaming.

Communicate, Collaborate and Interact

Communication and collaboration are an integral part of that creates a general framework for the definition of e-learning. These variables are the needs of a student group to interact with the instructor and natural environment of the class room. A set of measurable scenarios such as writing, annotation, sharing and discussion of documents possess the description of taxonomy of collaborative technologies used in the class room setting.

Recommendations

Scholars recommend that there are different implications for practice of e-learning strategies among students in an e-learning environment. They recommend integrating a variation of instructional strategies to enhance the quality and effectiveness of group collaboration and intensify the likelihood of interaction and communication of students ...