There is an ever increasing ocean of knowledge around us which calls for efficient and improved knowledge acquisition techniques so that maximum knowledge can be retained by the learners. Moreover, the dynamically changing business environment puts completely different challenges on learning process – fast, just-in-time, cheap and relevant learning. E-learning can be proved to be an important asset in various learning environments.
This is an undeniable fact that all learners are individuals having different learning abilities, knowledge, and learning performance that vary substantially and are ever changing. Traditional teaching methods usually follow a “one size fits all” approach. The information is offered in a standardized way and is equal for everyone. This kind of teaching/learning is expensive, problem-independent, slow, and too unfocused. On the contrary, research has demonstrated that different people learn in different ways. This clearly shows that a personalized approach can improve the learning process, helping people becoming effective life-long learners.
The biggest advantage of an eLearning system is to analyze needs and characteristics of a user and adapt the teaching style and curriculum according to that. Each learning design should contain all possible content instances localized to a language, subject, learning style or a culture. This is important because personalization helps learner in developing a feeling of competence and autonomy over the content.
E-Learning has another advantage of supporting learners during different phases of traditional learning. For example, a student who finds himself lagging behind in Algebra may find a contextualized and tailored’ online tutoring and mentoring program in e-learning. In some cases it is the only possible method of learning for impaired students or in the absence of teaching structures.
E-Learning has to be more meaningful and must be more than just reading online lessons or watching presentations. An e-learning system should be based upon collaboration and personalized communication with the learner so that he/she feels comfortable. Research has indicated that it is better to let learners construct their learning, their learning goals and preferences. Thus, we can say that eLearning revolving around learners enhances individual learning efficiency and brings positive results.
Online teaching and learning provides an efficient mechanism for engaging learners through collaborative learning. Educators/resource persons may find several ways to get learners on the same platform as compared to face-to-face settings since interaction between members in close proximity to one another may not be possible. It provides an opportunity to share their ideas/experiences beyond the walls and foster creative exchange among experts. Sophisticated software and technologies have simplified this process further by facilitating the social construction of knowledge in the groups. Modern online communities and discussion boards have shown that members can help each other by offering guidance, answering questions, and providing feedback. Over the past few years, information exchanged in the online communities has addressed customers’/users’ concerns that are under-addressed due to misinformation, myths, confusions or neglect.
Therefore, eLearning courses do not have to be one-way where learners work in isolation. Learners should be given freedom so that they are able to share their knowledge, resources and experience with fellow learners and work collaboratively. Educators can easily build social interactions into eLearning courses/training programs to create people-to-people interactions. Learners can have online discussions about the content, thus working and learning productively and bringing the best results. Collaborative learning helps learners find support, exchange information, and learn from the experience of others in teams.
Some benefits of collaborative learning are:
- Sharing ideas, information and knowledge
- Receiving/giving feedbacks
- Sharing wider perspective on the topics
- Getting help from experts among the group members
- Construction of new concepts
- Improved understanding of the subject matter
- Provide ideal environment for less involved people or those who are hesitant
- Learning collaborative support and responsibility
- Foster social and academic interaction among students
- Learning new roles and skills such as leadership, decision-making, and conflict-management skills
- Enhanced communication among members
- Motivation to move on in the course
- Increased overall achievement and improved self-esteem
Collaborative learning helps learners to move on when the course seems difficult and in providing them with an ongoing network of support. Thus, collaborative learning encourages positive interaction among the learners and should be an integral part of any online training/course.
