Exploring e-learning courses on the web

Launching yourself into the world of e-learning courses by the web can be both an exciting and daunting task. Here are a few tips to help you get started in this emerging area. The focus here is on getting the most value out of courses on the web. Collaborative and other forms of technology have already been discussed in Chapters 11 and 12.

1. Get a quick feel of what is on the web, look at the following sites.

   These were recommended by Tony Whittingham, lecturer in an elearning class at the University of Technology in Sydney: (a) http://www.aquinas.edu/homepages/millemar/AT161 (b) http://iris.nyit.edu/~tdiener/index.html (c) http://home.sprintmail.com/~debflanagan/main.html (d) http://www.actden.com/pp (e) http://cbae.nmsu.edu/~dboje/sbc/pages/page3.html (f) http://www.openday.uts.edu.au/tour.html

2. If you have a topic of interest start with a search of the World Wide

   Web and see what is currently listed. A good practice is to see some free samples or live demonstrations before you take the decision to proceed. This will give you a look and feel of what the quality is and the software and hardware you will need. You can also evaluate the product and service before you start. Here are some samples of on-line e-learning course providers: (a) American Media Inc. “ www.amitraining.com/demos/channel (b) Barnes and Noble “ http://www.barnesandnobleuniversity.com (c) Click to learn “ http://Click2learn.com (d) Digital Think “ www.digitalthink.com/catalog/ (e) TAFE New South Wales On-line “ www.tafeplus.com/ (f) University of Southern Queensland “ www.usqonline.com.au

3. When choosing which web course is best for you there are a list of criteria you should consider, including cost, length of training, structure, interactivity and flexibility. You will also need to check the software and hardware requirements, back-up support, instructor expertise, trainer availability, feedback on learning undertaken and guarantee.

4. If you decide to undertake e-learning, discuss your schedule with your manager, co-workers , partner or family. Discuss your commitment and what support you may require. For example, if you are using work facilities, having some quiet time on the job will help. Also you will need to be considerate of your workers, particularly if there is a video or audio component. It is helpful to commit to a routine to do your e-learning, whether it is first thing in the morning or later in the day. Choose whatever works for you and your schedule. If your elearning is in the form of direct performance support, such as an on-line help desk, explore a little about the background and intention of the system before you start. This will help you to gain the most value out of the support you are receiving.

5. If you are a novice, find a buddy who can help you with some of the technical aspects of e-learning. Whether it is a course provider, your IT contact or web designer. They should be able to help you navigate around the system and support you with any extra software or plug-ins you may need.

6. See this new form of learning as an exciting new way to make connections and friends . Take the opportunity to chat with other learners either face to face, at peer learning sessions or as part of a discussion group on the net. Be the initiator; passively waiting for the answer will not help you. Be assertive and explore the unknown while being respectful of the time and energy of others. The eventual success you have will be based on the quality of the interaction, debate and sharing, not the technology.

7. Set realistic goals and do not overburden yourself. Find a healthy balance between work, leisure and learning. Do your e-learning in manageable chunks , twenty-minute sessions are a good start. If you are finding the leap to web-based learning too much, consider doing a course at an evening college on surfing the Internet before starting e-learning. You will find that better e-learning providers and hosts will give you an introduction into the functions and applications of elearning before you start your course. Take advantage of these resources. 8 Make sure you review what you are learning. Keep a learning journal and build on your own personal archive as you proceed. Finally, celebrate along the way whether it is buying yourself a cappuccino or sharing what you have learnt with others. If you find the course lacks entertainment and quality, let the course provider know. Feedback is essential if the world of e-learning is to improve. A good design should be much more than e-reading; it should be interactive, enjoyable and relevant.