Introduction
The earliest form of e-learning; Computer based Training (CBT) was introduced in the early 1990s to reduce the number of classroom training duration especially for courses that require little or no supervision from a trainer. Technology has enhanced the medium of e-learning over the last twenty four years from video cassettes to web-based applications that enable training modules to function using the internet or intranet. Today, e-learning product sales exceed $40 billion globally.
E-learning as a training method
The lack of human resources, physical infrastructure and aptitude has paved the way for e-learning platforms to emerge. It is a cost-effective, flexible and versatile medium of learning. E-learning materials consist of text, images, videos and audio formats all molded together. E-learning allows portability of courses across the globe without establishing physical campuses. E-learning enables students from all corners of the world to avail quality education from their existing locations. Moreover, e-learning allows students to pace their learning at their own convenience. Furthermore, e-learning has re-engineered distance education with the addition of quality lectures and interactive evaluation.
Potential barriers of e-learning readiness
Although e-learning presents itself as a technology driven platform to educate and instruct students, the concept is relatively new to the conservative educational fraternity. Moreover, the idea of learning without physical instructors has yet to gain wide spread acceptance even amongst students. This section discusses some barriers that prevent students from availing e-learning modules in educational institutions.
Psychological
The prospect of attending a college course creates the psychological expectation to attend classes filled with young people. The accommodation of considering a course while at home or cabin with no interaction with a real person conflicts with the student’s psychological expectation.
Sociological
Environmental
E-learning mechanisms can potentially eradicate the need for faculty for certain courses. This creates quite a flutter among the staff and the board who would look to avoid controversies.
Human resource
E-learning platforms require maintenance operators to update courses or to plan network plans. The work however does not require full time deployment. Eventually, institutions run maintenance contracts or on-call maintenance operators. Moreover, this arrangement will hamper troubleshooting activities.
Financial
Setting up e-learning platforms required hardware and software requirements. The cost of setting up a basic model of ten workstations connected to a server would run bills up to $5,000. Although this might be portrayed as a one-time expenditure, there could be expansion plans and software updates that incur additional cost.
Technological skill (aptitude)
E-learning systems are user friendly and easy to operate. However, the operator should have basic operating system and networking skills. Furthermore, modifying curriculum and uploading new tests should be handled by the operator itself. Hence, the operator should possess limited computer skills. Although computers and laptops are common, a remarkable number of students and lecturers struggle to use e-learning solutions.
Equipment
The equipment required to operate e-learning solutions significantly differ from the low-end configuration systems operated on campuses. The server requires a high-end configuration along with a server based operating system. It also requires routers, switches and hubs to enable network connectivity. This equipment has to be acquired and installed professionally. It will be challenging to troubleshoot even minor issues. (Microsoft, 2014)
E-Learning enhanced success at Ashford University
(Ashford University, 2014)
Guidelines to prepare learners for e-learning
The following guidelines can effectively prepare learners for e-learning courses.
- Engaging former online course students to encourage and mentor. They can interact through text messaging or calls. It is easier for students to learn from their peers than from outsourced instructors.
- Text alerts can be sent to students on the progress of the course and of important dates.
- The online course can start with a small introductory module that allows an insight into the interface and to fix minor bugs.
- Provision of online resources with access to books, videos and e-journals. (Causey, 2012)
References
Microsoft (2014). What you need to set up a home network. Retrieved from: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows/need-set-up-home-network#1TC=windows-7
Ashford University (2014). Institutional Effectiveness & Curricular Improvements. Retrieved from: http://assessment.ashford.edu/assessing-student-success/institutional-improvements/institutional-effectiveness-curricular-improvem
Ashford University (2014). Forbes School of Business. Retrieved from: http://www.ashford.edu/degrees/online/business.htm
Causey, Cheree (2012). Preparing students for SUCCESSFUL online learning. Retrieved from: http://www.seenmagazine.us/articles/article-detail/articleid/1999/preparing-students-for-successful-online-learning.aspx
