e-Learning

Brian Mulligan, BE, MED, MIEI

Chartered Engineer

Institute of Technology Sligo

Irish Learning Technology Association

www.ilta.net

e-Learning

• The need.

• What is it?

• Is it any use?

• What’s in store for us?

The Need.

Importance of Education and Training

• Increases productivity.– Industry specific.

• Staff retention.

Problems in Providing Education & Training

• Availability– Where?– When?

• Time

• Cost

• Impact

What is it?

What is e-learning

• A definition– Use of Information Technology to

enhance learning

Types of e-learning

• Multimedia – Computer Based Training

• Simulation

• Computer Supported Collaborative Learning

• Internet Supported Distance Learning

Multimedia (Computer Based Training)

• Text, graphics, video, audio, animation

• Interactive– ‘private tutor’– make the student think– Must assess and react to their

understanding

Simulation

• To reproduce the real world within the computer– The natural world– Technology– Human interaction

• Allows the student to experiment

Computer Supported Collaborative Learning

• Interaction between students.– Collaborative working tools

• group project work

– Asynchronous Discussion• Very simple, very successful

• “I do and I remember”

Internet Supported Distance Learning

• Access to materials– Notes, e-books, websites, self

assessment

• Support and Feedback– Tutor, peer

• Virtual classrooms– And laboratories

• Simulated or remote control

Is it any use?

Advantages

• Availability– Location – Time

• Pace

• Cost

• Less interuption of work.

• Traceability

Dis-advantages

• Can be badly done.

• Can be isolating

• Difficult to teach certain things:– Highly practical subjects– Very complex topics

• Can be expensive– Unusual topics

Does it work?

• “No significant difference”

• any training succeeds when..– They want to do it– It is useful– It is available– They are able to do it.

Misconceptions about e-learning

• Electronic Texts– Documents on the Internet (books are still of

great use)– Electronic page turning

• Multimedia CBT– Only interact with computer

• Suitable only for low level skills– Simplistic multimedia– Automated assessment

• Isolating activity• Cheaper

What’s in store for us?

The Future

• Global market – Global brand name institutions– Smaller Institutes specialising in niche

markets• IT sligo – quality management

• Blended learning– Internet courses with local tutorials– Regional courses with internet support– Independent learning with IT support

• “Only early days yet.”

Issues in Sourcing e-Learning

• Finding a course• Assessing its suitability

– Level– Type of learning– Quality– Supervision– Assessment– Accreditation

www.ilta.net