Information Management and Controls in E-Learning - Article Example

Running Head: Information Management and Controls in e-Learning (Web 2.0 Technology) Information Management and Controls in e-Learning (Web 2.0 Technology) [Writer’s Name] [Institute’s Name] Information Management and Controls in e-Learning (Web 2.0 Technology) INTRODUCTION Since few decades, a significant importance has been given to information management and controls in the community of computer information systems, and it is observed that governments, industries, societies, and individuals are continuously gaining interest in its significance. As more and more organizations are establishing with purpose of building information, a fundamental role will be played by effective information management and controls in the success of transformation of valid information from an individual platform to an organizational one. In this regard, e-Learning in context of Web 2.0 will be discussed in this paper, in order to understand the key concepts related with the information management and controls. With the rapid advancement in e-Learning, a number of challenges are now confronted by companies related with e-learning, which will also be discussed in this paper. In brief, information management and controls play a vital and crucial role in e-learning, and specifically, Web 2.0, which will be further discussed in the paper by detailed literature review on the subject. LITERATURE REVIEW Definition Emergence of Web 2.0 has resulted in innovation in the process of e-learning, which has introduced new ways related to thinking, and such new and innovative ways have been referred as e-learning and specifically e-Learning 2.0. In the past, students used to receive instructional packets in traditional e-learning systems; however, concept of social learning and utilization of social e-platforms, such as blogs, wikis, and virtual worlds has been introduced and emphasized by the new e-learning 2.0. (Rosenberg, pp. 39-42, 2000) In specific, computer technology is utilized as a medium for instructing and providing education, and such type of education is referred as electronic learning. In some instances, studies have indicated that no real interaction takes place in case of e-learning. Until now, a wide variety of contexts has implemented the concept of e-learning, such as universities, organizations, military, governments, etc. Since last decade, a number of companies are now providing training to their employees through the utilization of e-learning platform in the company network. In the United Kingdom, a wide spectrum of technologies is used for the provision of a planned learning experience to students, as well as, employees in different educational institutions and organizations respectively. In e-learning, internet plays a vital role in the provision of information to a wide range of individuals and societies as a whole. Since few years, a rapid advancement has been observed in distance learning, which is one of the objectives of e-learning to educate individuals from a distance. Nowadays, e-learning is used to offer courses and degrees to students, where all the studies are organized online, rather than on-campus face-to-face learning process. In other words, e-learning has been able to change the perspectives of individuals and societies regarding the process of learning, which was just face-to-face in the beginning. History Since the antiquity, humans have endeavored to learn new things and educate themselves. Since centuries, human society has witnessed emergence of new and different ideas and perspectives related to the provision of learning to individuals. In terms of e-learning, millions of people in the military were trained by countries of Western World, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Russia, etc by the utilization of films, which was one of the first modern technology used for learning. (Lai, pp. 51-52, 2001) However, such learning and training covered very limited themes related with military, war, and personal hygiene. Such films and training based on such films were quite successful and facilitated the army and government for effective knowledge management, and therefore, new researches were carried out by military with collaboration of universities and educational institutions that resulted in the development of modern learning strategies and techniques that are used now. In the 1960s, creativity on a higher level was introduced in instructional films and new teaching machines were developed in the West. During this decade, high schools were also provided with such teaching machines that developed an innovative process of learning for children in such schools. During the 1980s, a new learning methodology was invented, which is referred as television. However, television did not witness success due to dry delivery of information, as well as, expensive necessities related to it. In the result, an innovative idea of videotapes was introduced by the experts that were used in corporate and educational sectors, which was considered an evolution in the process of traditional learning. In the beginning of 1990s, endeavors related to learning processes accelerated and computer-based training was introduced in this decade that added a notion of interactivity in the process of learning. In the result, a completely innovative and interactive world of learning was developed that served individuals at homes, workplaces, military, and governments. (Gardner, pp. 36-38, 2006) Until then, a substantial control was observed in the management of information, and controls were in hands of a few. However, such controls were distributed at a larger level, as more advancement was observed in technological developments. Until then, control for the distribution of information was in hands of governments and high officials related to education. However, introduction of e-learning resulted in new technological and information related issues that are now confronted by individuals around the globe. Today, human lives are managed integrally by internet technologies. Innovative and interactive technologies are introduced by instructional designers every other day, and a multitude of choices are provided to learners, which has created a number of confusions and complexities in the learning process. Nowadays, courses, discussions, and forums are offered to individuals on the internet that deliver learning while sitting at home without any face-to-face interactions with the instructors and colleagues. Current Trend & Applications A rapid change in attitude of learning of individuals and societies has been observed, as first decade of new millennium has already been passed by them. Current trends of e-learning indicated that e-learning is now not limited to the education sector, and has spread across entire societies and cultures. Indeed, traditional process of education seems to be lagging behind the current innovative perspective of e-learning. Current trends of e-learning have introduced the concept of virtual classrooms that are now part of most of the colleges and universities in the United Kingdom. (Penalvo, pp. 23-25, 2008) Nowadays, different platforms of e-learning, such as WebTrain, WiZiQ, LectureShare, etc are now being used by universities for organizing live interactive classes, providing technical support to students and teachers, arranging board meetings, providing counseling services related to depression, stress, rape, abuse, etc. Homework assistance is now also being provided to students through utilization of abovementioned platforms. Information Management & Controls As earlier mentioned in the paper that advancement in the concept of e-learning has resulted in an urgent need for effective information management and controls, different organizations and firms related to e-learning have given due importance to proper information management. However, very less research has been carried out in such area unfortunately, which has developed a number of issues and challenges for individuals and societies as a whole. In order to manage the information in an effective manner, e-Learning 2.0 with collaboration of Web 2.0 has added a number of security features that limits the distribution of information to a limited range of individuals, rather than providing access to every individual. Moreover, controls are also governed by a limited range, unlike its predecessor, Web 1.0 that did not focus on security and information management features. (Gardner, pp. 20-21, 2006) In the e-Learning 2.0, learning content is published from a single source that is one of the effective solutions for information management in the process of e-learning. Now, training content are developed on XML, which is written, managed and published in an integrated environment, which is mostly customized according to the consumers requirements. Problems & Implications In specific, valuable content is authored, managed, and shared in information management, which allows individuals to acquire learning. In the e-learning, professionals can acquire vital content from e-library; however, a wide range of content in e-learning, especially on blogs has resulted in a sense of skepticism regarding the information available on e-platforms. In other words, software based on free and open sources result in the problems confronted by learners and instructors. Even after the security features of Web 2.0, information can still be accessed easily by individuals that have resulted in a breach of privacy for learners. (Mason, pp. 19-24, 2006) Moreover, a number of technological issues are confronted by learners, such as incompatibilities related to hardware and software, which often results in slow performance of systems and lack of effectiveness in the process of e-learning. Furthermore, consultation with learners, and vice versa with instructors is another major problem associated with the information management and controls in e-Learning 2.0, which is now being given due significance. Nowadays, a number of platforms earlier mentioned in the paper are focusing on security and information management features, in order to provide an effective and interactive learning process to the learners. Conclusion Conclusively, the paper has defined and discussed different perspectives of e-learning by detailed analysis of its history, current trends, applications, and problems related to the information management, content sharing, and controls in e-Learning 2.0 that has been developed with collaboration of Web 2.0. Unfortunately, very little research has been carried out related to e-Learning, and specifically, the significance and role played by information management and controls in e-Learning. It was quite difficult to analyze its importance in absence of any research related to the subject. It is suggested that detailed research should be carried out, in order to understand the subject more effectively. It is hoped that the paper will be beneficial for better understanding of the topic. References Francisco J. Garcia Penalvo. (2008). Advances in E-Learning. Idea Group Inc. John Gardner. (2006). E-learning. SAGE Publications. Kwok-Wing Lai. (2001). E-learning. University of Otago Press. Marc Jeffrey Rosenberg. (2000). E-learning. McGraw-Hill Professional. Robin Mason. (2006). E-learning. Routledge. Read More