Author: JD

The phrases ‘eLearning’ and ‘Distance Learning’ are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually two separate entities. We’ve teamed up with experts, to help you see the differences between the two, and how they affect you as a learner. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Αre eLearning And Distance Learning? Before we look at the differences between the two, we need to understand what these two concepts actually are.

eLearning: this form of learning is designed to create an online communication between the teacher and the student. Many schools are now using eLearning in order to complement the learning that’s done in the classroom. For example, homework may be set online, or quizzes can be taken with the rest of the class. It’s a new way of learning that suits a lot of learners, both school-aged and adult. Tutor James Anderson at State of Writing says, “We use eLearning in order to connect with our students. They can connect with us online, and we can work with them to improve their writing skills”.

Distance learning: this concept is more about the distance between the student and the teacher, and how technology bridges that gap. Many universities are now offering distance learning degrees, where the student attends school through their internet. That means a student in Europe could attend an American university, without ever having to move. It also makes attending higher education much easier if you live in rural or remote areas.

How Learning Works Online. Both methods of learning are able to help learners get more out of learning, wherever they are. The methods are slightly different, but they can overlap.

eLearning is used in local settings, so distance isn’t as much of a factor. For example, a teacher may use a quiz app to test children in their classroom. They can all get involved, and it makes learning fun for them. As well as this, it gives teachers more options in how to create engaging lesson plans. It’s helpful for adult learners too. eLearning can be accessed anytime and anywhere, so it fits into most people’s busy schedules. The ease of access means more adults are taking online courses and classes, to learn skills to get ahead.

Distance learning, on the other hand, is designed in order to be accessible no matter where you are in the world. It covers issues such as accessibility problems, so students can attend basic classes. This can be through webcams or chat programs.

The Benefits Οf Both Systems. There are benefits to both eLearning and distance learning. If you’ve never considered either of them before, then here’s why you may want to look into it further:

eLearning

• Makes learning more interactive. Many learners are turned off learning as they feel they’re just being talked at in the classroom. eLearning makes the process much more interesting and interactive. Their input is needed, and it helps them retain information better.
• Is convenient for adult learners. As mentioned earlier, adults find learning much easier when they’re doing so through eLearning systems. For example, Via Writing has found adults coming to them to improve their grammar skills, during their free time.
• Is at the learner’s pace. The learner can take part in learning at their own pace. There are eLearning materials that can be accessed whenever they need to be, meaning that the learner doesn’t have to worry about falling behind, or being ahead of the rest of the class, as there’s no class to hold them back.

Distance Learning

• Offers cheaper education. Distance learning can be a great option if you’re looking to save money on your education. As you don’t have to move away to a different city or country, you’re saving a lot of cash. As well as this, you’re also saving money on the courses themselves, as they’re often cheaper.
• Offers you the chance to take classes wherever you are. No matter where you are, you can take classes. This option is popular with people who need to stay put at home, such as parents or people caring for family members. It takes the pressure off you to get to a place of learning, so you can concentrate on what you’re learning instead.
• Gives you the opportunity not to take part in the classroom setting. Some people find that the classroom setting isn’t for them. This could be due to a disability, or simply because they’ve never enjoyed conventional learning. Websites like Grammarix have seen an upswing of visitors who are looking to learn at their own pace.

As you can see, there’s actually a real difference between eLearning and distance learning. eLearning is a style of learning, while distance learning is a method of attending class even if you can’t be there physically.

The world of academia is becoming more personalized and convenient for students thanks to recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). The technology has numerous applications that are changing the way we learn, making education more accessible to students with computers or smart devices if they’re unable to make it to class. Students aren’t the only ones who benefit as AI is also helping to automate and speed up administrative tasks, helping organizations reduce the time spent on tedious tasks and increasing the amount of time spent on each individual student.

A recent study from eSchool News discovered that the use of AI in the education industry will grow by 47.5% through 2021 as we move towards a more connected world. The technology’s impact will exist anywhere from Kindergarten through higher education, offering the opportunity to create adaptive learning features with personalized tools to improve the student experience. The technology may be able to better inform students what their job prospects may look like based on their particular narrative as well, helping them beyond their academic life. WorkFusion is helping organizations with smart automation platforms that can improve the grading and filing process in the classroom.

Here are four ways AI is changing the education industry.

1. The Automation of Administrative Tasks
   As previously mentioned, AI has great potential in automating and expediting administrative tasks for both organizations and professors. Grading homework, evaluating essays and offering value to student responses is where educators spend the most time. AI can already automate the grading process in multiple choice tests in order to allow educators to spend more time with students one-on-one, but the technology may soon be able to do more than this. Software developers are creating new ways to grade written responses and essays as well. The admission process is also set to benefit as AI can automate the processing and classification of paperwork.
2. The Addition of Smart Content
   The concept of smart content is a hot topic now as robots can create digital content with the same degree of grammatical prowess as their human counterparts, and this technology has finally reached the classroom. AI can help digitize textbooks or create customizable learning digital interfaces that apply to students of all age ranges and grades. One such system called Cram101 uses AI to condense the content in textbooks into a more digestible study guide with chapter summaries, practice tests and flashcards. Another platform called Netex Learning allows lecturers and professors to design a digital curriculum and content across a variety of devices, including video, audio and an online assistant. Virtual content such as digital lectures and video conferences are also a reality now thanks to AI.
3. Smart Tutors and Personalization
   AI can do more than condense a lecture into flashcards and smart study guides as it can also tutor a student based on the difficulties they’re having with class material. In the past, students had a limited window of time in which they could see their professors, meaning office hours or hoping they answer their emails. There are now smart tutoring systems such as Carnegie Learning that use data from specific students in order to give them feedback and work with them directly. While this AI application is still in its early stages, it will soon be able to work as a full-fledged digital professor that helps a students with their educational needs in just about any area of need. Also, these platforms will soon be able to adapt to a wide variety of learning styles in order to help every educator and student.
4. Virtual Lecturers and Learning Environment
   Even your actual lecturer may soon be replaced by a robot. Well, not entirely, but there are already virtual human guides and facilitators that can think, act and react with humans by using gesture recognition technology in a natural way, responding both verbal and nonverbal cues. A more digital learning environment is also becoming a reality with institutions such as the University of Southern California (USC) Institute for Creative Technologies developing smart virtual environments and platforms. The organization uses AI, 3-D gaming and computer animation to create real virtual characters and social interactions. This initiative includes more than virtual facilitators as augmented reality may soon be part of the classroom as well.

Connecting the World of Academia

We are already in the future of education as institutions all around the U.S. and the rest of the globe have added AI to the classroom, hoping that it will make the students’ work easier. The technology is also slated to improve administrative tasks and improve the way lecturers run their classrooms. Plus, the technology will save billions in administrative costs for institutions across the nation, reducing overhead costs and paving the way for a smaller staff to operate effectively.

Most of us use social networking sites to catch up with friends, read the latest news, and share life events. However, an increasing number of organizations are now turning to social media for online training. For example, encouraging employees to network with industry experts in order to upskill. If you’re thinking about adding social media to your online training program, then you’re in luck. In this article, I’ll explore the top 5 advantages of using social media in online training and I’ll also share 4 notable drawbacks that you should consider before taking the leap.

The main benefits of using social media in online training

1. Improves Online Collaboration. Geographically dispersed employees aren’t able to interact with their colleagues in the real world. This makes it difficult to benefit from their experience and professional expertise. However, social media allows them to collaborate and communicate without any limitations. They can post informative links, share tips, and work together on team projects. Video conferencing tools even give them the opportunity to host virtual meetings where they can discuss important topics. Throw Project Management tools into the mix, and you have a powerful online collaboration strategy.
2. Employees Have Access To Round-The-Clock Support. Employees need access to information 24/7, not just during office hours. Social media offers them the chance to research topics and tasks whenever, wherever. They have access to industry professionals who can help them expand their knowledge and build skills. Employees also have the power to provide tips, tricks, and advice to their peers. In short, using social media in online training opens up a world of possibilities for your employees, especially when it comes to peer-based feedback and support.
3. Keeps Employees Up-To-Date. Social media keeps employees up-to-date with the latest online training and company news. Organizations can post event reminders, new online training course notifications, and changes to company policy. They also have the ability to share online resources, such as multimedia links to broaden employees’ understanding. As an example, YouTube tutorials that improve task proficiency or podcasts that cover compliance topics. For best results, start a corporate eLearning blog or social media group to centralize your communications.
4. Facilitates Ongoing Online Training Feedback. In addition to tips and valuable advice, co-workers also have the opportunity to give and receive feedback. Employees are able to post their ideas or even upload online training projects for peer review. Their colleagues can spot strengths and recommend improvements. Just make sure to set some ground rules so that everyone benefits from the online training experience. For example, create netiquette guidelines to avoid online conflicts.
5. Increases Employee Motivation And Engagement. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn cater to our social nature. Employees get to interact with peers and work collaboratively to solve problems. Online support, advice, and feedback all helps boost their motivation and engagement. As a result, they are more likely to actively participate in the online training process. Social media can even cultivate a sense of community, which makes employees feel like they are part of something bigger.

The drawbacks of using social media in online training

1. Social Media Becomes A Distraction.The number one reason why organizations are hesitant about social media is misuse. Let’s face it, social media can be a major distraction. You have every intention of researching important topics and looking up tips, then you end up chatting with friends. Or you may not be able to resist your favorite app or game. Before you know it, an hour has passed and you haven’t done any research. The good news is that your organization can create guidelines to keep employees on track. First and foremost, you must hold employees accountable. Incorporate social media activities into your online training strategy and follow-up with an online assessment. For instance, ask employees to interview an expert or focus on a specific training topic. Then quiz them after the fact to gauge their understanding and progress.
2. Online Learning Communities Require Time And Resources. Creating and maintaining social media groups, corporate eLearning blogs, and forums is time consuming. Managers and corporate trainers must monitor these social media platforms, which requires payroll hours. After all, online learning communities don’t run themselves. One of the most effective ways to cut costs is to limit the number of social media platforms you use and opt for low-maintenance options. For example, Facebook features groups and a variety of built-in online tools, such as calendars and polls. Appoint someone to post on a weekly basis to keep the discussion flowing. This individual can also monitor the page and share valuable resources.
3. Exposure To Excessive Information May Contribute To Cognitive Overload. Social media’s strength is that it facilitates knowledge sharing. That also happens to be one of its drawbacks. Employees are exposed to large quantities of information at once, which can lead to cognitive overload. They may be unable to focus on one topic or task because there’s a constant flow of data. Once again, asking employees to concentrate on a specific research topic can prevent cognitive overwhelm. Ask them a targeted question or create a prompt that centers their thoughts.
4. Online Behavior May Compromise Your Brand Image. Your organization works hard to maintain its online reputation. As such, you don’t need employees behaving badly on social media and tarnishing your image. Bear in mind that everything your employees post on social networking sites is visible to the public. The exception being closed groups and online forums. However, employees will uphold your brand image if they know what’s at stake. Stress the importance of proper online etiquette and create a strong sense of corporate culture. Employees who are proud to be part of the organization are more likely to become brand advocates.

Social media can be a powerful online training resource, when used correctly. Online training guidelines and employee accountability can help to counteract the drawbacks. Use these benefits and consider the drawbacks to successfully integrate social networking sites into your corporate eLearning strategy.