E-Learning Modes Formats Features Advantages Challenges Overview Live online Asynchronous Instructor-led (features common to all types of e-learning) Information/training is delivered through information technologies and electronic Instructors & learners are not in the same physical location (advantages common to all types of e-learning) Potential for one presenter/instructor to reach many geographically distributed learners Eliminates time and cost for travel Convenience of training and learning at your desk (challenges common to all types of e-learning) Lacks non-verbal cues and expressions of interactions Difficult for instructor to gauge learner response/commitment More challenging to teach “soft skills” Formats Features Advantages Challenges Live online (synchronous) Instructor-led webinar, videoconference, Google Hangout Instructor & learners meet at same time in a virtual ‘room’ Slides, application sharing, whiteboard, polls, breakout rooms Communication through: one or two-way audio text chat Sessions may be recorded for later viewing Creators: Most like a f2f classroom – easier transition Shorter time to develop than e-modes Instructor/presenter can respond to questions & comments in real time Live interactions with learners Reusable presentation materials Learners: Most like a f2f classroom Ability to ask questions in real time Peer social interaction in real time Connections with people virtually when not able to meet in person Creators: In-person facilitation skills not the same as online facilitation skills Prone to technical issues, Internet connection difficulties Need to prepare learners for online environment Short learner attention span Learners: Prone to technical issues Learning curve to get comfortable with technology Short sessions Distractions; hard to pay attention
Formats Features Advantages Challenges Asynchronous Instructor-led MOOC, recorded lectures, discussion forums, blogs, email Instructor & learners not online at same time Instruction = written, audio, video, etc. Threaded discussions, assignments Scheduled – usually start and end dates Usually longer (multi-week) Creators: Instructor’s time flexible Good for in-depth topics, In-depth discussions Variety of activity options Potentially number of participants Learners: Convenience: flexible time, individual pace of learning Time-bound: start/end dates and deadlines Good for in-depth topics Possibility of interaction with instructor Peer learner interaction through online channels Creators: Front-loaded effort Lack of live interaction; harder to give feedback Effort of following learner activities Lower completion rates Learners: No live interaction Response time to questions & discussions Variable availability of instructors Requires more learner self-motivation Peer interaction requires more effort Formats Features Advantages Challenges Self-Paced Online courses, tutorials, job aids, how-to videos, articles No instructor (instructional design team instead) Learner works at any time, usually alone No schedule – maybe no due date Computer graded learning assessment Cost/effort almost all up front Creators: Create/design learning once, use many times Standardized content and delivery Scales endlessly Learners: Fit learning options to individual needs at own pace at any time Revisit; use as a reference Creators: Skill-sets needed: subject matter expert, instructional design, technical skills Time/effort/cost required up Difficulty of updating topics Need LMS for tracking Low completion rates Learners: No human/social interaction; boring No deadlines Requires self-motivation, discipline Limited effective length