Learning Online

Learning and Technology

The combination of email, website, discussion forum, chat room, Internet phone, video phone, telephone, text messaging, and instant messaging has already created a revolutionary change in the way people communicate. This is especially true for the under-25s - the 'screen and keypad' generation.

Innovation in communication methods has become translated into a modern view of our interactions - we no longer have to agree on exact times and places for informal meetings, as we can just say 'I'll give you a ring to let you know'.

In the same way, the interactions of a learning environment are becoming increasingly more fluid: if we are learning online, we are no longer subject to certain restrictions of time and/or place. The traditional schoolroom is making way for 'The Virtual Classroom'.

The Virtual Classroom

As with any newly-emerged jargon, there is some lack of clarity over its definition: what exactly is a virtual classroom?

At e-coaches, we define a virtual classroom as a shared working or learning space. This could be either a specialist online classroom application, or simply a communal message board with survey tools at various levels of complexity.

Each participant in the classroom displays on his or her own computer the same browser window as everyone else. Within this window there is a shared workspace, which might be composed of a shared application, whiteboard, or slideshow. Participants are also connected by a telephone conference call. (There is some variation as to how this technology is employed, depending on the virtual classroom tool that is being used.)

Some typical features of a virtual classroom are:

Visible list of those logged into the session
Indication of whose microphones are 'live' and whose are not
Ability to 'raise your hand', and to show agreement or disagreement
Chat window
In some cases, a facility for uploading your own files into the display space

Exploiting these different facilities requires: an appreciation of their possibilities, an understanding of their relevance to learning, and a willingness to learn about managing both the learning process and the technology involved.

Cost Benefits

The benefits of such a learning process are most obvious in the case of the many smaller organisations who are geographically widely dispersed - e-learning provides significant savings in employee time and travel costs.

e-learning materials can be designed and implemented relatively cheaply - certainly at no greater cost than that of what is required in a concrete learning environment.

Are We Prepared?

The technology for implementing e-learning is ready, but we believe that trainers are not. While some trainers and tutors have started to use e-learning facilities, many of them are doing so with a traditional lecturing approach, failing to engage their pupils in any meaningful way.

At e-coaches, we recognise the uses to which e-technology can be put, and from this awareness we have derived simple, proven methodologies for engaging learners at a distance. The principle is simple: have a bit of fun!

Free e-coaches Trial

e-coaches offers a free virtual classroom session that allows participants to assess the concept for themselves. Although a certain formality and discipline have to be retained, there is significant flexibility when it comes to learners exploring new and different ideas. The e-coaches trial is an ideal way to get a sense of this formal-yet-fluid structure.