Learn Anywhere At All

E-learning takes learning out of educational institutions and brings it anywhere at all, as long as you have a computer or access to one. E-learning exists in a variety of forms. You can receive your e-learning through CD-ROMs, networks, intranet applications, or via the internet. This type of learning employs a wide variety of media to assist the student, for instance, audio, video, virtual reality environments, and animations. The fact is that e-learning, in many respects, offers a richer learning experience than one would obtain inside the classroom. But there's more—students can get their learning as fast or as slow as they like.

Compelling Conditions

The caliber of e-based learning resembles classroom learning in that it depends upon the quality of the material and how it is given over to the student. Be that as it may, the newest e-learning software on the market creates compelling learning conditions. There are four types of e-learning and these run from very easy to very advanced levels. Here's a rundown on the four types of e-learning:

*Knowledge Databases-If you've ever used the Google search engine to ask a question about computer software, you're aware of the various knowledge databases that exist on software sites. At these databases, you can find an index that treats a variety of topics that should offer eloquent explanations on how to do just about any computing task. Such databases offer a moderate level of interaction in that you will need to type in a keyword or search phrase, or select an item from the alphabetized index.

*Online Support- Online support is available in the form of chat rooms, online bulletin boards, forums, email, or messaging. Here you have the opportunity to phrase your question to order and receive a more specific answer to your question. It's possible to attain more than one perspective on the issues you raise through the use of forums and you may receive faster answers to your questions.

More Traditional

*Asynchronous Training-This type of learning is more traditional and allows the user to learn subjects at his own pace. Asynchronous training uses CD-ROMs, networks, intranet, or internet. There may be tutors whom the user accesses through online discussion groups, email, or online bulletin boards. Sometimes there are no tutors but the material may contain links to reference material.

*Synchronous Training-This type of learning is achieved in real-time and there is a live teacher who instructs the class. The students log into the virtual classroom at an agreed-upon time and can talk to each other and to the teacher. Students can raise their virtual hands and see a cyber "whiteboard." These courses last for a given amount of time. Synchronous training is accomplished through internet websites, internet telephony, audio or video-conferencing, or two-way broadcasts between students in a real classroom to their teacher who is in a different location.