The internet is connecting our world! from creative commons.

This weeks topic looked at E-learning, and how to prepare students for it. For those who enjoy using computers and don’t get distracted easily by the many distractions on the internet then e-learning would be an effective means of learning independently.  However, for those like me who find it difficult learning online then e-learning is not ideal.

I am not an a confident learner on the computer. I find that I am easily distracted, don’t enjoy reading on the computer, and I don’t enjoy searching website after website for information. My ideal method of learning would be to write everything down. When a lecturer speaks I prefer to be writing down what he or she says as that is the only way fir me to retain information. So doing an online course would be extremely unsuitable for me and I would become just another drop-out of an e-learning program.

An important consideration when looking into online learning is that students have different learning styles- characteristics, strengths and preferences in the ways in which they take in and process information.

The ideal online student would be:

• Self-disciplined
• Mature and experienced
• Have a high emotional quotient
• Willingness to ask for help
• And be independent.

The Content also needs to be well-designed for interaction-in order to keep students engaged as page clicking won’t really motivate them.

The ideal e-learning instructer needs to:

• be aware of the students needs and involvement levels.
• attempt to draw students in to discussion early
• take an online course as a student so they know what to expect.
• famailiariaze themselves with tools and available support.
• Pilot the course- on collegues or friends
• Prepare a back up plane for technical failure
• Prepare the learner through a welcoming email
• Test the assumtions of the students readiness.

E-learning is a good cognitive tool for a student as there are many different forms of information available on a computer, for example, games, videos, soundfiles (like online lectures), images and discussion forums. This will cater for the various learning styles by offerening a range of learning tools. It also enables the development of creativity as a student can adopt a blog as a means of refleting and add effects to emphasize their understanding of the topic.

Reference List:

Preparing students for elearning http://www.elearning.org/Articles/Preparingstudents.htm