Computer | E-Learning

 

What is e-learning?

In the early days of e-learning, some people were concerned that bringing computers into the classroom would remove the human element that many learners benefit from.

But technology has developed, and smartphones and tablets are now widely embraced in both the classroom and office. We also use a wealth of interactive designs that ensure distance learning is both an engaging and valuable lesson delivery medium.

By building partnerships with quality training providers, and combining this with a dedicated and experienced team, Virtual College provides the perfect blended learning environment. This means that everyone has the chance to take their online training to the next level, while fitting their learning in around their busy schedule.

What are the benefits of e-learning?

There are many benefits to e-learning, whether you choose to use it on its own or to enhance your existing in-house training:

It's cost-effective and saves time

By reducing the time taken away from the office, removing travel costs and doing away with printed materials, online learning helps you to save money and increase workplace productivity.

It also means your staff will be happier and more focused, as you'll be showing you care about their personal development.

For more information on how your business can save time and money through e-learning, call us today to speak to one of our Ilkley-based support team.

Learning 24/7, anywhere

By allowing staff to complete a course when and where they like, you can make sure disruptions to your busy working schedule are minimised.

Most of our courses have an average learning time, and our CPD-approved courses allow learners to print out certificates of achievement as an extra incentive.

Tracking course progress is a breeze

With a well-implemented Learning Management System (LMS), it is easy to track and monitor progress for your staff and learners. This can be essential for our most popular courses, which are often undertaken so people have proof they have taken part in mandatory training when pursuing future opportunities.

Virtual College has developed its own tool to support our course content and learner tracking, called Enable. Find out more about our Learning Management System here or contact our sales team at sales@virtual-college.co.uk.

It's discreet

Not everybody feels comfortable learning in a large group, but e-learning allows everyone to tackle the subject at their own pace, with interactive tasks ensuring a thorough understanding throughout each module.

E-learning is the use of digital tools for learning. Learning management systems and distance education are among the most prevalent tools. However, hybrid experiences and collaborations are changing the E-learning landscape. Recent developments include the advent of social networking and online learning communities, the ubiquitous presence of smart phones, and an increased recognition of the potential for computer games to transform learning. Other important developments include advances in Intelligent Tutoring Systems, the free Open Educational Resources movement, and the creation of immersive environments allowing users to engage with virtual environments and to digitally augment their experience of the real world.

Types of e-learning

Here are the most prevalent types of e-learning options available for your child:

• Lesson-based learning
• One-on-one learning
• Group learning
• Course-based learning
• Video-based learning
• Article-based learning
• Self-paced learning
• App-based learning
• Game and activity-based learning
• "Lesson a day" learning

1. Lesson-based learning

One of the most difficult things to combat in the transition from the classroom to online learning is the loss of structure. Meaning, while the web opens an entirely new world with more avenues than your child will ever have time to explore (believe it or not), there is certainly a trade-off in terms of guiding your child’s time and ensuring they’re learning efficiently. 

So, if you’re able to find opportunities that are presented with structure, give them a shot. BrainPop is one good example of a lesson-based learning option, and others extend to course-based options and those offering live instruction and self-paced progression as explained throughout this post. 

2. One-on-one learning

One huge benefit of eLearning is that it allows users to jump in and learn when most convenient for them. One drawback, though, is that most experiences don’t offer the two-way communication between an instructor and student, with teaching taking place in the form of a recorded video or written word.

In the end, the learning experience is far from personalized, and many student questions might go unanswered...ultimately leading to a decline in engagement. So, to counter, a big one-on-one tutoring benefit includes being able to interact with a live instructor.

It's basically a virtual tutoring session, for example, like iD Tech's private coding lessons, where your child can sign up for 60-minute learning sessions with custom lessons tailored to their needs. 

3. Group learning

To play devil's advocate, one potential negative of eLearning - especially compared to classroom learning - is the social aspect. If kids are by themselves in front of a computer for hours on end, how are they also going to learn vital social skills?

It's a fair point, and to counter I'd say it's all about balance, with parents needing to figure out which levers to pull in order for their children to continue to grow as well-rounded as possible. 

But with that said, there are online learning experiences that offer that crucial balance! Virtual summer camps are built to bring the summer camp atmosphere online, meaning yes there is plenty of learning, but also fun and socialization as well.

4. Course-based learning

One big advantage of course-based eLearning is the built-in progression, which inherently adds structure to your child’s learning experience as they complete, say, intro course A and then move on to a more advanced course B, and so on.

So, for instance, homeschoolers learning coding can now logically move from a block-based coding lesson where they're learning about the different blocks available to them, to actually piecing those blocks together in order to program their stories and animations.

5. Video-based learning

Remember, every kid can learn, but each just might learn a bit differently...hence the beauty of alternative learning experiences, right? Those kids who simply don’t absorb book content or don’t test well now have the chance to learn through something like video, and might find that video concepts “speak to them” (no pun intended) at volumes no other teaching source has ever spoken before.

6. Article-based learning

All of that said, maybe your child does, in fact, thrive off the written word—with their brain functioning as a high-performance scanner just taking in loads of written content and committing it to memory. 

If that's the case, sites like Time for Kids could be valuable, where the consumption of information feels less like a learning activity, and more like a leisurely activity. Articles also present information differently, and your child might gravitate more towards an idea that's presented as a story backed by quotes and examples. 

7. Self-paced learning

Obviously between the different experiences presented above and below, there is going to be some overlap, with many opportunities offering a suite of experiences like self-pacing, courses, videos, and more. 

Looking at self-pacing options specifically, though, the benefit here is “loosened structure” if you will, meaning kids can spend as much time as they want when learning, without being timed or having to stick to a schedule. 

8. App-based learning

Let’s face it, kids love their devices. And while screen time should definitely be regulated for balance, a potential compromise is presenting a learning opportunity in the form of a mobile app. 

There certainly is no shortage of learning apps, which is good and bad, right? Which work, and which don't? Not to mention that anything unfolding on a mobile device will require supreme focus and dedication given the number of distractions that can pop up. 

9. Game and activity-based learning

One way to really grab and keep hold of a child’s attention is to link online learning to something they’re already interested in. Thus, you might find that engaging with portals provided by networks like PBS and Nick Jr. is a successful endeavor, given their presentation of learning opportunities through familiar animated characters.

Again, now learning is disguised as entertainment than it is learning, which might lead to increased buy-in.