Significant Developments in eLearning Order Instructions: Assignment 1: e-Learning

Write a four to six (4-6) page paper in which you:
Define e-Learning.
Summarize at least five (5) significant developments in e-Learning over the past ten (10) years.
Evaluate at least three (3) three (3)primary benefits of providing and offering high-quality online training, courses, and programs to employees and learners in businesses, K-12 schools, or institutions of higher education.
Analyze at least three (3) primary reasons some businesses, K-12 schools, or institutions of higher education are hesitant or choose not to offer fully online courses and programs.
Predict the extent to which e-Learning will replace the traditional face-to-face learning in K-12 and higher educational settings.
Recommend at least three ways technology will be needed to support and sustain the e-Learning process.
Provide at least five (5) academic references (published within the last five [5] years) to support your paper.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Significant Developments in eLearning Sample Answer

E-LEARNING

Introduction

E-learning is increasingly becoming popular today. For a long time, people have become accustomed to learning in one particular way. However, the advancement in technology has changed the education system, and today institutions are embracing online learning. Higher education is undergoing fundamental changes, and it is crucial to assess the benefits of online education and the reason some institutions are hesitant to embrace e-learning.

Five Significant Developments in E-learning

E-learning is the use of internet and other technologies to educate people without geographical boundaries (Rennie & Morrison, 2013).  Online learning dates back to the nineties when the trend started emerging. E-learning has evolved over the last few year. Today, it is simplified and easier, and it has a broad learning opportunities.

One of the significant development in e-learning is education gaming. Education gaming are online games and songs which were mainly developed for kids. Education gaming became popular in 2007 among elementary schools as it made learning for kids more fun (Liebowitz & Frank, 2016). Education gaming are used as a tool in educating young children in mathematics and language. Games enhances skills of students. Through education gaming students are believed to develop critical thinking skills, teawork and creativity (Bora & Ahmed, 2013). As a result, education gaming was embraced in the more elementary curriculum to make learning more fun and enhance skills (Liebowitz & Frank, 2016).

The second significant development is library digitalization. The introduction of digital libraries supported e-learning to a great extent and has led to the progress of online learning. Digital libraries allow learners to access learning materials such as books online (Rennie & Morrison, 2013). Higher learning institutions have taken advantage of the significant development to develop course-specific webpages that allow students to access learning materials.

The third significant development is cloud computing. Cloud computing is a new form of technology that has allowed intuitions to cut on costs of e-learning (Salmon, 2013). Cloud computing has enhanced software used in e-learning and hardware. Additionally, it has led to the development of reliable backup for online learning materials.

The fourth significant development is mobile learning. As new smartphones are being developed, the education programs that can be accessed through the phones have been developed (Salmon, 2013). Schools are developing websites that can be supported by mobile phones to allow students to access learning materials from the phones.

The fifth significant development is online video. There has been significantly developed in online video. You Tube has more than 1 billion active users today (Rennie & Morrison, 2013). Online video is now being used to keep learners engaged. Additionally, they are used to explain complex concepts. Online video is now being used to conduct classes and allow learners to store video to access information at their convenient time.

Benefits and Significant Developments in eLearning

The biggest benefits of e-learning to learners and employees is flexibility. E-learning is suitable because it can be conducted from any place and at a time that is convenient for the learner. Learners have the freedom to learn when they want and at the place they want. When a business is conducting training, employees’ time is affected because of training. Employees are forced to go for training during working hours and cover up for the working hours. With e-learning, the employees learn and still work at the same time.

E-learning is cost effective. A business that decides to use e-learning to train employees lowers on training cost. A company lowers cost by reducing the cost of learning materials, travel, and accommodation costs (Bora & Ahmed, 2013). For students in a higher learning institution, e-learning is cheaper than the traditional classroom. The fees for e-learning is lower. Additionally, with e-learning students cut on costs of traveling, refreshments and residents.

E-learning is more effective compared to traditional classes. E-learning makes it easy for learners to digest and understand the information. E-learning makes use of learning materials such as video, demonstration, and charts which are more effective in delivering information (Bora & Ahmed, 2013). Research shows that e-learning reports high test scores (Arkorful & Abaidoo, 2015). Additionally, it is effective in passing on the knowledge that can be used at work. It has a long-term retention of information. This is because e-learning establishes courses that are fun. It makes learning more fun by using multimedia learning materials. As a result, learners are able to digest the information and retain it for a long time and apply it in real life.

Businesses and Institutions are Hesitant to Use E-learning

E-learning undermines the social learning aspect of traditional schools. Employers want applicants who know how to work with others. Students who have not been to class do not know how to cooperate with other people. Institutions are hesitant to embrace e-learning to enhance the concept of socialization (Rennie & Morrison, 2013). They want to produce students that have the experience of working with others.

The second reason school are hesitant is because online classes do not offer extra-curriculum activities. The traditional syllabus is composed of extra curriculum activities that enhance critical thinking skills and social skills.  With online classes, students cannot participate in sports and other extra curriculum activities (Arkorful & Abaidoo, 2015). They only log onto their account and interact with other students online. Schools are concerned about the quality of online education and the impact on the social life of students hence are hesitant to embrace online learning fully.

Lastly, online learning is dependent on technology. Learners with limited IT skills may not be comfortable with e-learning hence they still need to attend the traditional classes. Additionally, a technical problem in technology will paralyze online learning.

Extent to which E-learning will replace Traditional Face-to-Face Classes

E-learning will not replace the traditional face-to-face classes. The traditional face-to-face classes enhance personal growth, social interaction, and collaboration. In K-12, online classes cannot replace the traditional classrooms because young children need social interaction and to learn how to collaborate. Interaction with people and teachers is crucial in K-12. In higher learning institutions, online education will replace traditional classes (Liebowitz & Frank, 2016). Colleges and universities will have to embrace online learning in the next few years. They will retain a few traditional face to face class and offer online classes to students from across the globe.

How Technology Fosters E-Learning

Technology enhances e-learning through accessibility. Technology such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones make online classes accessible. Tablets and mobile phones have enhanced the convenience of taking online classes.

Technology supports social learning and conversation among the students. Technology establishes a medium where students from across the globe can communicate. Online platforms allow students to communicate enhancing collaboration. Students are also able to share ideas.

Technology provides learning materials. Technology provides tools for learning. It supports e-books which are a major resource for information (Salmon, 2013). Additionally, it provides a platform for conducting classes such as online video classes, student’s portal and websites.

Significant Developments in eLearning Conclusion

Technology has impacted on education. Higher learning institutions are establishing online courses every day. E-learning is convenient, reduces cost, and more effective hence more learners are preferring it to traditional classes (Salmon, 2013). However, e-learning lacks the social aspect of traditional classes hence it cannot be embraced fully. As technology develops, it will continue to impact in e-learning and supporting e-learning in a manner that will make it more effective.

Significant Developments in eLearning References

Arkorful, V., & Abaidoo, N. (2015). The role of e-learning, advantages and disadvantages of its adoption in higher education. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 12 (1), 29-42.

Bora, U., & Ahmed, M. (2013). E-learning using cloud computing. International Journal of Science and Modern Engineering, 1(2), 9-12.

Liebowitz, J., & Frank, M. (2016). Knowledge management and e-learning. New York: CRC press.

Rennie, F., & Morrison, T. (2013). E-learning and social networking handbook: Resources for higher education. New York: Routledge.

Salmon, G. (2013). E-tivities: The key to active online learning. New York: Routledge.