2. Chapter 17, e-Learning
Outline
17.1 Introduction
17.2 e-Learning Technologies and Infrastructure
17.3 e-Learning Overview
17.4 e-Learning Solution Providers
17.5 Training Marketplaces
17.6 Information Technology (IT) Training Online
17.7 Traditional Education Online
17.8 Studying Online
17.9 Educational Supplies and Resources Online
3. 17.1 Introduction
E-learning
◦ The use of the Internet and related technologies for the development,
distribution and enhancement of learning resources
Provides students and professional with skills for career advancement,
enabling busy people to learn new technologies
Experts believe it to be the fastest growing education industry,
expecting it to double in size between 2000 and 2002
4. 17.1 Introduction
e-Learning SWOT Analysis
Strengths Ability to offer education to large numbers of students from distant
locations.
Lower costs (travel, instructor fees).
Shorter courses mean less time commitment necessary from corporate
students.
Lower cost means education is more accessible to people with limited
financial resources.
Use best instructors making best courses available to all.
Weaknesses Large commitment to technology needed from universities, corporations offering e-
learning courses.
Lack of face-to-face contact with students.
Current technology does not support low-cost, high-bandwidth, synchronous student-
teacher interaction.
5. 17.1 Introduction
Opportunities Ability to reach the world instantaneously with the latest news and
technologies.
Ability to train sales force and employees about product advancements.
Access to courses from a variety of universities.
Decrease long-term education expenses by shifting learning programs to the
Web.
Threats Lack of student interest.
Equipment and technology requirements restrict adoption of e-learning.
Lack of human interaction deters the learning process.
Most corporate instructor-led courses last 4-5 days, comprehensive
coverage of some topics could be lost in a shorter e-course.
6. 17.2 e-Learning
Technologies and
Infrastructure
Video-conferencing technology
Streaming audio and video
Redundant storage space
High-bandwidth required to broadcast courses over the Web
Computer-based-training (CBT)
◦ Interactive educational software presented on floppy disks and CDs
◦ Allows students to take a self-paced course in any number of subjects
◦ Since no downloading is necessary, bandwidth is not a concern with CBT
courses
7. 17.2 e-Learning
Technologies and
Infrastructure
Web-based-training developers must consider that their courses will be
used on varying operating systems and platforms
Cross-platform
◦ Products are accessible by many different operating systems
Asynchronous courses
◦ Can be taken any time, are self-paced and will not have the benefit of a live
instructor
◦ Courses must minimize student confusion by providing a basic interface and
clear, concise content
◦ Students should have the ability to communicate with each other using chat
programs and message boards
8. 17.2 e-Learning
Technologies and
Infrastructure
Storage space is a major concern for e-learning vendors
◦ Each course requires a database of information that can be downloaded by
the students
◦ Audio and video require additional server space
Synchronous courses
◦ Occurring in real time
◦ Audio and video with live instructors will require even more resources to
ensure that systems function properly when the courses are delivered
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
◦ A database which can be accessed by employees and students, providing
course outlines, explanations, pre-requisite information and courses
9. 17.3 e-Learning Overview
Learning marketplace
◦ Connects students and teachers to courses on the Internet
Businesses design e-learning opportunities to supplement their current
products and services
Online universities offer both accredited and non-accredited courses
Online learning also includes classes for people interested in developing
new skills or entertaining hobbies
10. 17.3 e-Learning Overview
Opponents of e-learning
◦ Fear of an increase in the digital divide
◦ Copyright infringement
◦ Online learning reduces social interaction among children
◦ Lack the socialization aspects of a traditional education
◦ Web-based training is not always designed by skilled educators
11. 17.4 E-Learning Solution
Providers
Build customized courses for businesses
Monitor the success of the training to determine the company’s return
on investment (ROI)
◦ The ratio of cost savings and increased revenue to money
Providers:
◦ DigitalThink
◦ Centra
◦ Saba
◦ SmartForce
◦ THINQ.com
◦ Click2Learn
12. 17.5 Training Marketplaces
Training marketplace
◦ A forum for companies that need training but do not want to pay the
development and implementation costs of designing their own program
Allow companies to select the material they need and pay per course
13. 17.5 Training Marketplaces
e-Learning
Solution Provider
URL Features
Saba www.saba.com Offers consulting services,
solutions implementation,
hosting services, scalable
corporate education services and
performance management.
WBT Systems www.wbtsytems.com TopClass, WBT System’s
signature product, offers design
and development services for
Web-based training.
VCampus www.vcampus.com Provides e-learning platform
with customizing capabilities. A
tour of VCampus and a
demonstration course are
available through the site.
SmartForce www.smartforce.com Offers customized e-learning
solutions and support services.
THINQ www.thinq.com Provides customized Web-based
training through Thinq Learning
Consulting services.
14. 17.5 Training Marketplaces
Click2Learn www.click2learn.com A database of products and services
to help individuals and companies
find the courses they need. This site
also has a skills assessment feature
that helps customers evaluate their
e-learning needs. Companies
wishing to develop their own
training can use the Click2Learn
Toolbook product to develop and
sell courses on the Click2Learn
site.
Headlight.com www.headlight.com Design, development and
deployment of training courses
based on corporate needs.
Consulting services are also
available.
PBS Adult Learning
Service
www.pbs.org/adultlearning Licenses and distributes online
learning courses to colleges,
universities, etc.
Caliber www.caliberlearning.com Builds online courses to meet
corporate needs, provides
distribution methods and consulting
services.
15. 17.6 Information
Technology (IT) Training
Online
Provides the advantage of hands-on experience
Students can learn new languages and techniques and apply them
directly while at the computer
Training Providers:
◦ Knowledgenet.com
◦ Wavetech.com
◦ Ameritrain
◦ CyberStateU
◦ CodeWarriorU
◦ Net-Scene
◦ Quisic
18. 17.6 Information
Technology (IT) Training
Online
URL Products and Services
www.knowledgenet.com View demonstrations of KnowledgeNet including
KnowledgeNet Live (e-learning classroom setting, dual-band
communication, etc.); KnowledgeNet Express (experience
Microsoft and Cisco training sessions); KnowledgeNet
Custom (view custom designed training session);
KnowledgeNet Mentor and KnowledgeNet Labs.
gocertify.earthweb.com Provides IT training and certification from a variety of
vendors.
www.wavetech.com Offers instructor-led training, self-paced study,
computer-based training, certification, etc.
www.ameritrain.com Provides hands-on computer training.
19. 17.7 Traditional Education
Elementary
High school
College and adult students
Accredited and non-accredited universities over degrees online
In the future wireless applications may allow classes to be taken while
commuting to and from work
20. 17.7 Traditional EducationUniversity URL Programs Offered
University of Dallas imba.udallas.edu e-Commerce,
Telecommunications
Management, Information
Technology and Sport
Management
Colorado State www.biz.colostate.edu MBA and Management of
Technology
East Carolina University www.dcs.ecu.edu MS Industrial Technology,
MS Occupational Safety,
graduate and undergraduate
courses
Concord University bw.concordlawschool.com Juris Doctorate,
Executive JDSM
Suffolk University www.suffolkemba.org MBA
Jones International
University
www.educationalbenefit.com MBA
Kaplan www.kaplancollege.com MBA, Paralegal Studies,
Legal Nurse Consulting,
Criminal Justice and Law.
Capella University www.capellauniveristy.com MS, MBA, PhD
21. 17.8 Studying Online
School URL Purpose
Stanford eskolar.com Designed for healthcare professionals, allowing them
to meet patient needs and continue their education.
NYU NYUOnline.com Delivers customized content packages to business
organizations.
Columbia Fathom.com Provides articles, interviews, lectures and additional
resources in technology, business, law, etc.
UCLA OnlineLearning.net Offers both accredited and nonaccredited continuing
education courses.
UPenn Pensare.com Hosts an e-learning center, now offering “Strategic
Business Plan Analysis.”