Creating Collaborative E-Learning Environment - Essay Example

CREATING COLLABORATIVE E-LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS E-LEARNING: Ever since the concept of schools has been adopted by mankind, the tradition of face to face interaction has prevailed. A classroom with one or more teachers and students, both groups meeting physically and in real time has been the common sight. However, with the advent of technology, such traditional setup of learning is evolving in to a form mostly referred to as e-learning. E- Learning is the term given to a kind of setup in which the student and the teacher or whoever is involved in the interchange of information do not meet physically and are separated by time or place or both. This distance is covered or bridged with the help of technology such as the internet. E- Learning may or may not be real time. A more formal definition of e-learning is as follows: It is the “the delivery of a learning, training or education program by electronic means. E-learning involves the use of a computer or electronic device (e.g. a mobile phone) in some way to provide training, educational or learning material” (Maneschijn, 2005). There are basically two types of e-learning. One is through an instructor and is called synchronous. The other is through oneself without the instructor called asynchronous. Another definition of e-learning covering it in a broader perspective is as follows: Two forms of web-based training is found with synchronous (instructor-facilitated) and asynchronous (self-directed, self-paced). In both cases the instructions are given through static means like power point lectures, text web pages, video lessons and streaming etc. and through interactive methods like portal chats, discussions, conferencing etc.) PRICIPLES OF E-LEARNING: “What makes e-learning effective is, of course, typically in the eye of the beholder. One persons toast and jam may be another persons steak and kidney pie. This is what makes the drafting of a set of guidelines for effective e-learning so difficult”. (Downes, 2005) The main principle of e-learning is flexibility. E-learning is a very flexible method of learning. It can be done at any time and any place that suits the user especially those living at distances and cramped up schedules but want expert opinion or knowledge. Other than this some important aspects of e-learning are: INTERACTION: E-learning is a process of creating a learning environment and hence in this environment it enables interaction with peers interested in the same topic or the instructor who is teaching or imparting knowledge on a particular topic. USABILITY: This enables the user or the student to effectively use the entire system or concept of e-learning. E-learning involves simplicity and consistency which guides the student how to go about a particular topic and procedure regarding availing information about a particular project. RELEVANCE: this is very important as the student gets the information on what exactly he need through the tutor or the tutorial. When we use the internet, there are lots of topics which are unrelated in our search and we have bombarded by information most of which we don’t even need. But e-learning is relevant to the particular topic in hand. FEEDBACK: it provides feedback through the instructor or in the form of self tests taken by the user. ADVATAGES OF E-LEARNING: 1. E-learning stimulates interaction. (Brown & Johnson, 2007) 2. Address multi-lingual needs. (www.leftbrainmedia.com/e_advantages.html ,1999-2003 Left Brain Media, Corp) 3. It minimizes the cost of travel. “You can work from any location and any time.” (ezinearticles.com, 2008) 4. It is flexible and can be availed on demand. 5. It includes different learning styles. (Brown & Johnson, 2007) 6. It removes the gender bias that is prominent in physical learning. (Kuhlen, 2006) 7. It enables to keep a record that can be viewed later. 8. Developers can develop training, demonstrating, in very specific details, how to perform a task such as repairing equipment. (Kuhlen, 2006) 9. Group Collaboration is the electronic messaging creates new opportunities for groups to work together, creating shared electronic conversations. (Brown & Johnson, 2007) DISADVANTAGES OF E-LEARNING: 1. Acquisition of computer and network components (Q. Li et al., 2008) 2. Laborious task of creating course material online (Q. Li et al., 2008) 3. Internet speed or bandwidth may not be up to the mark. 4. Regular software updates. (Q. Li et al., 2008) 5. Students can cheat easily (Al-Jarf, 2006) 6. Lack of human touch as there is no face to face interaction. 7. Cultural factors may not support online learning. (Al-Jarf, 2006) DIFFICULTIES FACED WHEN USING E-LEARNING: There are difficulties of using e-learning method, for example no face to face interaction and the lack of social interaction and diverse opinions. These difficulties can be overcome with the use of collaborative e-learning method which gives the user a chance to interact with others, capitalize on their ideas and opinions and develop mutual relationships. However some difficulties in collaborative e-leaning also exist. For example, the presence of individuals with diverse skills which can create conflict but this can be resolved. (Q. Li et al., 2008) “Diverse skill levels among students enrolled in the same course are better supported with at least some component of online work. Content delivery via the web allows access for students whenever and as often as needed. They conclude that training is important for both faculty and students who will be participating in an online environment”. (Mansour & Mupinga, 2007) (Marshall, 2006) Another difficulty can arise when students are not skilled with the use of technology. “The greater a student’s skills and comfort with the tools of online learning, the better she is able to adapt to the social aspects of the experience and find both satisfaction and success with the course”. (Mykota & Duncan, 2007) Since there is no face to face interaction, silence can be interpreted in many ways and can cause difficulty in the communication process. “Silence in synchronous communication is harder to interpret when the unspoken signals of face-to-face interaction are unavailable. Asynchronous communication, on the other hand, allows the option of staying silent and then also responding (without the time factor)”. (Zembylas & Vrasidas, 2007) COLLABORATIVE E-LEARNING: Collaborative e-learning is “Group-based e-learning asynchronously refers to situations where groups of learners are working over an Intranet or the Internet, where exchanges among participants occur with a time delay or in real time” (Naidu, 2006) Collaborative e-learning environments are group based. Hence this increases interaction, creates a sense of belonging and induces team building. Members of the group can help the other person and in turn ask for help. Keeping in mind all these advantages, conflict between individuals can also occur. Hence cooperation between collaborative groups is very important. This can be achieved by “A cooperative incentive structure exists when group members work interdependently for individual rewards and receive identical rewards based on the performance of the group”. (Hooper, 1992). We need a collaborative e-learning environment because it enhances achievement. This is because “The traditional role of the student is generally passive. In a small group, members provide more individual attention to each other than the classroom teacher could provide”. Also “In groups, students may experiment with opinions and ideas, challenge the beliefs of other group members”. (Hooper, 1992). We also need a collaborative environment because according to a study “the formation of new collaborative ties is more significant for learning through information sharing in social networks than raw frequency of interaction.” (Tomsic, & Suthers, 2006) TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTING E-LEARNING: When we talk about technology, there are a lot of options. But the main idea is to enhance collaboration for information sharing that could achieve the maximum benefits in the given scenario. This implies that technology is not standardized but depends on the situation in which it is applied. “Tools for online learning should provide representational support for conceptual structure in order to address issues of coherence and convergence and more effectively support collaborative knowledge construction”. (Suthers & Vatrapu, 2005) Internet is main requirement of almost all collaborative systems. Some examples show the use of computer supported social networks (CSSN) which best suit the situation: “CSSN technology in conjunction with the affordances of that technology for continuing those relationships in certain ways collective constitute socio-technical capital: “a resource that can be accumulated and whose availability allows people to create value for themselves or others”. (Okamoto, 2003). Technologies like WebCT and Blackboard are well known in distance learning and are used by most universities with a e-learning program. Using these systems the instructors and the students can coordinate, chat and email there lectures, queries and assignments. The instructors can easily keep track of each student and similarly the students can keep track of all their courses. (Q. Li et al., 2008) Further development in the e-collaboration field has led to the development of Synchronous Collaboration Tools such as Astound (Genesys) and WebEx, Learning Management Systems such as by Docent, Saba and THINQ, Work Team Tools such as TEAMThink, Plainview etc. Although these tools are good in their own respect, they aren’t that user friendly and lack features like collaborative document editing, sensing and choosing a collaborative member which are expected to come out in the next few years. (Bonk, 2003) Another aspect can be the use of groupware or courseware to maximize output: “Integrated courseware development platform, which increased productivity and reduced the time-to-learn criteria for new programs. The platform, from Course Avenue, provides a template-based authoring system. Course developers and subject matter experts can collaborate on e-learning projects, reducing the time required for review and approvals”. (Bersin et al., 2005) Hence there is no best technology but the optimal solution is the use of technology that best suits the situation. Works Cited 1. Tomsic, A., & Suthers, D. D. (2006). Discussion Tool Effects on Collaborative Learning and Social Network Structure. Educational Technology & Society, 9 (4), 63-77 2. Simon Hooper, Cooperative Learning and Computer- Based Instruction 3. Som Naidu, 2006, E-learning-a guidebook of principles, procedures and practices, 2nd edition, Common Wealth of Learning. 4. Zembylas, M. and C. Vrasidas (2007). "Listening for Silence in Text-Based, Online Encounters." Distance Education 28(1): 5. 5. Mykota, D. and R. Duncan (2007). "Learner Characteristics as Predictors of Online Social Presence." Canadian Journal of Education 30(1): 157 6. El Mansour, B. and D. M. Mupinga (2007). "Students Positive and Negative, Experiences in Hybrid and Online Classes." College Student Journal 41(1): 242.) 7. Stephen Downes, April 26, 2005, Some Principles of Effective E-Learning, www.downes.ca 8. Left Brain Media (1999-2003). www.leftbrainmedia.com/e_advantages.html, Left Brain Media, Corp 9. Chris Howard Bersin & Associates, February 2005 V 1.0Collaborative E-Learning Systems 10. Okamoto, T. (2003). E-collaborative learning technologies and e-pedagogy. 11. Daniel Suthers, Ravikiran Vatrapu, Representational Effects in Asynchronous Collaboration: A Research Paradigm and Initial Analysis, 39th Hawai`i International Conference on the System Sciences, HICSS-39, January 4-7, 2005) 12. Ezinearticles.com? Advantages-of-E-Learning-Over-Traditional-Instruction-of-a-Second-Language&id=139441 13. Maneschijn, M. M. (2005). The E-Learning Dome. University of South Africa 14. Ann Brown and Jordy Johnson (2007). Five Advantages of Using a Learning Management System. Microburst Learning 15. Rainer Kuhlen (2006). Collaborative e-learning - an opportunity to identify and to overcome gender barriers. University of Konstanz, Germany 16. Reima Sado Al-Jarf (2006). CULTURAL ISSUES IN ONLINE COLLABORATIVE INSTRUCTION IN EFL CLASSROOMS. King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 17. Jonathan Paul Marshall (2006). Categories, Gender and Online Community. University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. E–Learning, Volume 3, Number 2, 2006 18. Q. Li et al. (2008). Technology Supports for Distributed and Collaborative Learning over the Internet. ACM Transactions on Internet Technology, Vol. 8, No. 2, Article 10, February 2008. 19. Bonk, Curtis J., (2003). Collaborative Tools for e-Learning. Chief Learning Officer Magazine - MediaTec Publishing Read More