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Venturing into the jargons associated
with elearning
When we discuss about E-Learning context, there are many words, categories and characteristics are used. Thus, we can break down E-Learning into 3 common parts :
Synchronous
Within E-Learning we distinct asynchronous and synchronous learning. The terminology to describe how and when learning and teaching takes place.
Synchronous learning
Within synchronous learning; learning and teaching takes place in real time (same time) while the trainer and learners are physically separated from each other (place shift). Examples include: listening to a live radio broadcast watching live a television broadcast audio/video conferencing Internet telephony online lectures two-way live satellite broadcast
Asynchronous learning
Within asynchronous learning; learning and teaching takes place with time delay (time shift) and while the trainer and learner are physically separated from each other (place shift). Examples include: self paced courses taken via Internet or CD-Rom videotaped classes stored audio/video Web presentations or seminars recorded audio tapes Q & A mentoring reading e-mail messages Characteristic for asynchronous learning is the fact that that the trainer prepares the courseware material before the course takes place. The learner is free to decide when he wants to study the courseware.
| ASYNCHRONOUS LEARNING |
SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING |
Fax
E-mail
Knowledge Base
Newsgroups
Computer Based Training
Quick Reference Guide |
Telephone
Screen sharing
Chat
Desktop Conferencing
Online Seminar |
Communication
Within communication we distinguish different directions/ways to communicate :
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One to one |
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One to many |
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Many to one |
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Many to many |
| One to One |
| Situation |
| • |
Learner to learner |
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Learner to trainer |
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Trainer to learner |
| Examples |
| • |
Chat : private chat in a chat room or the instant messenger |
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E-mail : send mail to a colleague or ask a question to a trainer |
| • |
Screen sharing : sharing Microsoft Word, collaborate on a Word document |
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| One to Many |
| Situation |
| • |
Trainer to learners |
| • |
Learner to learners |
| Examples |
| • |
Chat : trainer is explaining content to learners video |
| • |
Conference : trainer is explaining content to learners via web broadcast screen |
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Sharing : using the net for giving learners a tour through PowerPoint slides or web pages |
| • |
Newsgroups : posting a question in a newsgroup or discussion forum |
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E-seminar : lecture or presentation over the internet |
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| Many to One |
| Situation |
| • |
Learners to trainer |
| • |
Learners to learner |
| Examples |
| • |
Chat : ask or discuss real-time questions or issues to a learning desk |
| • |
Newsgroup : react on a posted message in a discussion forum |
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| Many to Many |
| Situation |
| • |
Learners to learners |
| • |
Learners to learners and trainers |
| Examples |
| • |
Chat : discussion where learners can exchange learning experiences or just talk or a discussion led by trainers where students solve a case by collaboration through discussion |
| • |
Two-way video conferencing : virtual classroom situation where trainer explains and learners react or meeting where subjects can be discussed |
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Telephone conferencing |
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