A View into the Future of eLearning

The evolution of eLearning is an interesting one. Twenty-some years ago, computer-based training (CBT) was the next big thing in job skills advancement. It was generally well received by both employers and the workforce as a way to supplement classroom or on the job training. But soon, the limitations of CBT became apparent.

Learners generally sat in front of a small computer screen and sometimes watched an embedded video of a task being performed. They were then prompted to answer a multiple choice question correctly and the program advanced to the next section. There was very little about CBT-based learning that taught a worker how to perform a specific job function. Let’s call this one job familiarity preparation – it didn’t take the place of instructor-led training.

The next iteration of eLearning was slightly more interesting and interactive. Advances in computer graphics and increases in processing and storage capacity gave us the ability to virtually represent a task being performed. Learners now had a greater ability to participate in simulations and to direct the path of the lesson. But as with CBTs, the limitations of computer simulation were soon reached.

Easier Said Than Done?

The temptation for organizations to save money by eliminating classroom time in favor of self-directed eLearning is a great one – but care must be taken in this transition. As someone once said, converting a bad ILT course into an eLearning format results in a bad eLearning course. For this reason, a complete review of the organization’s learning program – including its Learning Management System (LMS) is a required course of action.

Advances in the features and functionality of LMS platforms in the past few years have opened up a new realm of possibility in redesigning and converting instructor-led courses. In fact, in many cases the role of instructor can be assumed by a community of experts. The interface to the eLearning experience is now a personalized portal, where the learner can interact with the learning environment – including peers, subject matter experts, experienced veterans in his field and even the course designer.

Source: http://elearningindustry.com/a-view-into-the-future-of-elearning

State the following sentences as true or false:

1. Twenty-some years ago, computer-based training was unimportant for job skills.

1. There are still limitations of computer-based training.
2. Converting a bad ILT course into an eLearning format gives its results.

Home assignments:

Exercise 1. Read the definitions to the given key terms and analyze the context in which they are used:

Webinar	a service that allows conferencing events to be shared with remote locations that are sometimes referred as online workshops or web conferencing Think about a webinar as a way to attend a conference without leaving home.
E-learning	the use of any electronic technology to aid in the acquisition and development of knowledge and understanding in order to demonstrable and positively influence behaviors. E-Learning can help us adapt while controlling costs, increasing quality and modernizing the workforce.
Workshop	a meeting at which a group of people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject or project; a room or building in which goods are manufactured or repaired In the case of medium risk projects a shorter half-day planning workshop is usually more appropriate.
TCP/IP connections	(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the basic communication language or protocol of the Internet. It can also be used as a communications protocol in a private network (either an intranet or an extranet). When you are set up with direct access to the Internet, your computer is provided with a copy of the TCP/IP program just as every other computer that you may send messages to or get information from also has a copy of TCP/IP. TCP is responsible for breaking data down into IP packets before they are sent, and for assembling the packets when they arrive.
Binary Floor Control Protocol (BFCP)	standard for managing floor control during collaboration sessions across dedicated video endpoints, mobile devices, and personal computers running collaboration software. These capabilities can be delivered using an enabled Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standards-based endpoint or as a software implementation in a collaboration application stack. BFCP provides the ability to manage multiple streams being presented during a collaboration session using floor control.
Technology-enhanced learning (TEL)	learning platforms, m-learning, digital educational collaboration, distributed learning, computer-mediated communication, cyber-learning, and multi-modal instruction. Every one of these numerous terms has had its advocates, who point up particular potential distinctions. In practice, as technology has advanced, the particular "narrowly defined" aspect that was initially emphasized has blended into "e-learning." As an example, "virtual learning" in a narrowly-defined semantic sense implies entering the environmental simulation within a virtual world,[5][6] for example in treating PTSD. In practice, a "virtual education course" refers to any instructional course in which all, or at least a significant portion, is delivered by the Internet. "Virtual" is used in that broader way to describe a course that not taught in a classroom face-to-face but through a substitute mode that can conceptually be associated "virtually" with classroom teaching, which means that people do not have to go to the physical classroom to learn. Accordingly, virtual education refers to a form of distance learning in which course content is delivered by various methods such as course management applications, multimedia resources, and videoconferencing. Students and instructors communicate via these technologies.
Computer-based training (CBT)
Computer-assisted instruction (CAI)
Internet-based training (IBT)
Web-based training (WBT)
Online education
Virtual education
Virtual learning environments (VLE)

Exercise 2. Match the words with correct definitions:

· Webinar	· communication protocol for communication between computers on the Internet
· E-learning	· a basic floor control protocol
· Workshop	· refers to the use of electronic media and information and communication technologies (ICT) in education.
· TCP/IP connections	· seminar conducted over the Internet
· Binary Floor Control Protocol (BFCP)	· an intensive discussion on a project or a room or building where things are made or repaired using machines and/or tools

Exercise 3: Complete the following scheme:

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