Friday, March 19, 2010
Leadership ability refers to competence in areas such as:
- being a role model
- motivating members
- encouraging others
- delegating so that the work done
- leading an activity
- having the characteristics of an effective team player
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Determine the tasks to be taught, identify subtasks and other elements involved, and identify the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to complete the tasks efficiently and effectively.
Identify the target audience for the training. Identify the shortfall in knowledge, skills, and attitudes of this audience and determine what the target learners need to know.
Review existing methods and infrastructure for providing training or meeting learning needs.
Identify concrete expectations and/or ROI requirements from the desired eLearning solution.
As a small business owner, you know that online transactions cost a fraction as much those requiring paper or staff. It’s the same with eLearning because there are no papers, no delays, and no travel expenses.
eLearning is considered an effective way to keep up with new technology, to generate new ideas, and to keep your workforce fresh and inspired.
Most smaller businesses don’t have the staff to manage their training and development initiatives. eLearning technologies can overcome these administrative restrictions.
Small organizations need to get more out of their high-potential employees. eLearning helps employers take these employees to a higher level of contribution.
• To reduce the need for classroom training
• To track employee progress
• To track training effectiveness (or absorption)
• To link training with Knowledge Management
• To reduce time away from the job
• To improve job performance
• To support business objectives
• To make learning available anytime, anywhere
E-learning falls into four categories, from the very basic to the very advanced. The categories are:
Knowledge databases -- While not necessarily seen as actual training, these databases are the most basic form of e-learning. You've probably seen knowledge databases on software sites offering indexed explanations and guidance for software questions, along with step-by-step instructions for performing specific tasks. These are usually moderately interactive, meaning that you can either type in a key word or phrase to search the database, or make a selection from an alphabetical list.
Online support -- Online support is also a form of e-learning and functions in a similar manner to knowledge databases. Online support comes in the form of forums, chat rooms, online bulletin boards, e-mail, or live instant-messaging support. Slightly more interactive than knowledge databases, online support offers the opportunity for more specific questions and answers, as well as more immediate answers.
Asynchronous training -- This is e-learning in the more traditional sense of the word. It involves self-paced learning, either CD-ROM-based, Network-based, Intranet-based or Internet-based. It may include access to instructors through online bulletin boards, online discussion groups and e-mail. Or, it may be totally self-contained with links to reference materials in place of a live instructor.
Synchronous training -- Synchronous training is done in real-time with a live instructor facilitating the training. Everyone logs in at a set time and can communicate directly with the instructor and with each other. You can raise your cyber hand and even view the cyber whiteboard. It lasts for a set amount of time -- from a single session to several weeks, months or even years. This type of training usually takes place via Internet Web sites, audio- or video-conferencing, Internet telephony, or even two-way live broadcasts to students in a classroom.
http://communication.howstuffworks.com/elearning1.htm
E-Learning can provide benefits for the organizations and individuals involved.
Improved performance: A 12-year meta-analysis of research by the U.S. Department of Education found that higher education students in online learning generally performed better than those in face-to-face courses.[2]
Increased access: Instructors of the highest calibre can share their knowledge across borders, allowing students to attend courses across physical, political, and economic boundaries. Recognized experts have the opportunity of making information available internationally, to anyone interested at minimum costs. For example, the MIT OpenCourseWare program has made substantial portions of that university's curriculum and lectures available for free online.
Convenience and flexibility to learners: in many contexts, eLearning is self-paced and the learning sessions are available 24x7. Learners are not bound to a specific day/time to physically attend classes. They can also pause learning sessions at their convenience.The High technology is not necessary for all online courses. Basic internet access, audio, and video capabilities are common requirements. [3] Depending on the technology used, students can begin their courses while at work and finish them at home on a different computer.
To develop the skills and competencies needed in the 21st century, in particular to ensure that learners have the digital literacy skills required in their discipline, profession or career Bates (2009)[4] states that a major argument for e-learning is that it enables learners to develop essential skills for knowledge-based workers by embedding the use of information and communications technologies within the curriculum. He also argues that using e-learning in this way has major implications for course design and the assessment of learners.
Additional advantages of computer-based training over traditional classroom training include the ability to:
Pay less per credit hour
Reduce overall training time
Spread training out over extended periods of time (even months)
Bookmark progress (computer remembering where the student left off so they can resume the courses from there)
Remain in one location (e.g., home, office, airport, coffee shop, etc.) with no need to travel
Receive quality training that bolsters job performance[citation needed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning
- Learning is self-paced and gives students a chance to speed up or slow down as necessary
- Learning is self-directed, allowing students to choose content and tools appropriate to their differing interests, needs, and skill levels
- Accommodates multiple learning styles using a variety of delivery methods geared to different learners; more effective for certain learners
- Designed around the learner
- Geographical barriers are eliminated, opening up broader education options
- 24/7 accessibility makes scheduling easy and allows a greater number of people to attend classes
- On-demand access means learning can happen precisely when needed
- Travel time and associated costs (parking, fuel, vehicle maintenance) are reduced or eliminated
- Overall student costs are frequently less (tuition, residence, food, child care)
- Potentially lower costs for companies needing training, and for the providers
- Fosters greater student interaction and collaboration
- Fosters greater student/instructor contact
- Enhances computer and Internet skills
- Draws upon hundreds of years of established pedagogical principles
- Has the attention of every major university in the world, most with their own online degrees, certificates, and individual courses
Friday, March 5, 2010
E-Learning is a learning process that is facilitated and enhanced by using digital tools such as CD-ROMs, video conferencing, websites, e-mail and many more, where the content and instruction is delivered electronically.
E-learning is distance learning
Distance learning is Physical separation of the student with the instructor and classroom.
E-learning can become part of the classroom environment.
E-learning is commonly referred to the intentional use of networked information and communications technology in teaching and learning. A number of other terms are also used to describe this mode of teaching and learning
As the letter “e” in e learning stands for the word “electronic”, e-learning would incorporate all educational activities that are carried out by individuals or groups working online or offline, and synchronously or asynchronously via networked or standalone computers and other electronic devices.
E-learning is commonly referred to the intentional use of networked information and communications technology in teaching and learning. A number of other terms are also used to describe this mode of teaching and learning.
They include online learning, virtual learning, distributed learning, network and web- based learning.
Fundamentally, they all refer to educational processes that utilize information and communications technology to mediate asynchronous as well as synchronous learning and teaching activities.
example of e-learning at UTM
http://elearning.utm.my/
