Online Learning: Setting New Parameters of Development - Research Paper Example

?Online Learning: setting new parameters of learning and development Today people, whether they are busy professionals or stay at home parents, can really look forward to hone their skills or reinforce their knowledge without having to compromise on their career or family. Online learning has made learning possible anytime, anywhere. The flexibility that this new age learning technology provides has made possible for anyone to acquire expertise in multi-disciplinary areas. So an HR executive can very well be a graphic designer or a software programmer. A home-maker can get cooking lessons as well as learn website designing, managing her kids and household. This surely indicates the capacity of online learning in changing lifestyles. The technology of ‘online learning or e-learning’ has reconstructed the perception of learning and education. Online learning is a concept that keeps evolving into more comprehensive modes of facilitating the learning experience with the help of new technologies. As online learning also includes different types of learning processes like instructor-led, blended and self-paced, it has become the most sought after medium for knowledge acquisition. This new age learning platform has indeed created a tremendous impact on learning and development across professional and academic fields. Online learning or e-learning modules are implemented in work places for training purposes as well as in the academic world for comprehensive and experiential learning. It has also given way to a competitive knowledge and learning industry. Definition of Online Learning Online learning or e-learning is a systematic process of delivery of instructional material and the assessment of learners with the help of internet tools and resources (Michigan Merit Curriculum, p 1) and tailored to meet the needs of the individual or the organization (Learning Solutions, p 2). The learning system can best be understood by asking the three essential questions: 1. What is online learning? 2. How is it different from actual classroom learning? 3. Why has online learning become popular? What is online learning? Online learning is learning provided by the digital medium or the computer. It is a deviation from the real time classroom learning experience where the medium of knowledge delivery is the teacher or the instructor. However, nowadays, online learning too provides the option for instructor facilitated learning sessions. But an instructor led virtual session is way different from the real classroom learning experience. What does it do? Online learning is all forms of learning that take place via electronic medium; hence it is also called e-learning. The focus of online learning is to make the learning process effective and interesting so that the learner gets curious and drawn to participation in the learning activities. Keeping to the objective of the learner-centric model, online learning integrates different learning styles for different learners for easy and stress free learning experience. An online learning module includes audio, video and text options to deliver the learning content and the lesson is so planned that it gives ample scope for learners to stay active throughout (Learning Solutions p4). How is online learning different from its older counterpart classroom learning? The difference lies in the medium of delivery, which is the biggest factor in understanding the learning system. To access online learning or be part of this learning industry, one has to understand the conditions that work for effective learning to take place through this digital medium. For instance, one is participating in an online training session conducted by an instructor in a collaborative learning environment along with the facilities of hearing and seeing the instructor through video-conferencing. In this case, the learner can see, hear and interact with the instructor just like in a real classroom. Apparently there seems to be no difference between the two modes of learning but obviously the difference is in the medium. If the assisting technologies are not in place, then learning might not be as effective. How does online learning function? Unlike classroom learning, online learning demands a highly systematic approach to learning that includes designing appropriate instructional material, practice activities and assessment models (Michigan Merit Curriculum, p 1). In a classroom setting, the instructor activates and monitors the learning process. In online learning, the instructor facilitates the process and guides the participants through experiential learning where the learners are prompted to be directly involved in the learning through activities and simulations. Ideally, online learning offers a holistic and effective learning platform as it creates a collaborative and exploratory learning environment (James, p 1). The different features within online learning that make it so comprehensive are: threaded discussions, webinars, webquest, World Wide Web and a virtual learning environment (Michigan Merit Curriculum, p 15). However, it has yet not replaced traditional classroom learning and would probably not replace it altogether because of the technological limitations. Why has online learning become popular? Online learning could still be considered at its nascent stage, given its tremendous potential. Learning experts are in the continuous process of exploring and tapping the different possibilities of this digital learning system to make the learning activity more engaging and integrated. However, online learning has surely emerged as the new age education hub across almost all kinds of industries like IT, Electronics, Manufacturing and Retail, Travel and Health to list a few. The history The concept of online learning had quite an interesting journey ever since its inception in the early 1990s. It all started with the computer-assisted-instruction that would help an inexperienced user operate a program. E-learning was eventually considered a mode of providing learning experience to a large population but it was a one-way learning system without any scope of learner activity and interaction (What is Electronic Learning, p4). Learning through unique modes of communication Online technologies provide the opportunity to opt for both synchronous learning that is learning at a fixed time and asynchronous learning that is learning at one’s own time. This unique option helps people to make their own schedules and learning choice as per their needs. It is especially helpful for adult education and professional trainings. The interactive and collaborative learning atmosphere has been greatly appreciated by adult learners as it resulted in better learning (What is Electronic Learning, p3). With the latest kinds of technologies like hypermedia, multimedia, learners get a chance to research in-depth and develop a strong grip of the material. As learning takes place at all sensory levels, learners tend to have higher retention capacities (Learning Solutions, p3). Moreover, as this learning strategy emphasizes self-paced learning, the learner is under no external pressure and hence the learning process is a productive one. The Future of Online Learning Online learning is the future of learning and development because of its efficacy in delivering quality and standardized education and at the same time reaching out to different learning needs. Organizations and institutions of different culture and fields are implementing online learning as a way of educating their staff and employees. Traditional institutions like schools and universities too are incorporating e-learning to modernize their curriculum. Online learning seems to stand for a scientific and systematic form of education and people are relying on it. The technology based learning system practically brings the world at the learner’s finger tips. It allows easy accessibility, flexibility of time and place, no travel costs, easy content updates and motivating learning environments (James, p 1). However, online learning should cater to real needs, be useful to learners and be able to truly engage and interest people to learn more. Works Cited James, Gary. Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning. Web. 29th May 2012 Learning Solutions. The eLearning Guild. 10 September 2002. Web. 29th May 2012 Online Experience. The Michigan Merit Curriculum Guidelines. Web. 28th May 2012 What is Electronic Learning? Relearning to E-learn. Web. 28th May 2012 Read More