elearning-101

E-LEARNINGCONCEPTS, TRENDS, APPLICATIONS

About© Epignosis LLC. All rights reserved.Epignosis LLC315 Montgomery Street, 8th and 9th FloorsSan Francisco, California, CA 94104United States of America(+1) (646) 797-2799Visit us at:www.efrontlearning.netwww.talentlms.comYou may download, display, print and/or reproduce thismaterial in unaltered form only for personal, non-commercial use, or use within your organization. Allother rights reserved. This is a FREE digital ebook.V 1.1 – January 2014 1

ContentsIntroduction ...................................................................4What is e-learning?......................................................... 5The history of e-learning ................................................8The benefits and drawbacks of online learning .............11Can we learn online? .................................................... 16Best practices of online training ................................... 19Learning vs. Training ...................................................22E-learning in education vs. corporate sector................24The future of e-learning................................................29What is a LMS?.............................................................34Types of learning management systems.......................39What is a content authoring tool? ................................42Synchronous e-learning vs. asynchronous e-learning..43What is SCORM & TinCan? ..........................................46Technologies used in e-learning ...................................49Elements of Online Courses ......................................... 53Why are tests and quizzes a vital part of e-learning? ...56How to make e-learning effective ................................. 61 2

Tools to create an online course ...................................65Blended learning ..........................................................69Social and collaborative learning.................................. 71Gamification ................................................................. 73Micro-learning.............................................................. 75Video learning ..............................................................78Rapid e-learning ........................................................... 79Personalization and e-learning.....................................82Continuous learning .....................................................84Customer service training.............................................89Sales training ................................................................93Customer training.........................................................96Safety training ..............................................................98IT training................................................................... 101Product training ......................................................... 104Healthcare training..................................................... 107 3

IntroductionWhile the term “e-learning” has been thrown aroundquite a lot in recent years, many are still unaware ofwhat it actually means and how it can help them achievesuccess in both their professional and personal lives.This short e-book aims to provide an introductory leveloverview of the e-learning field for those people.This e-book is divided into five main topics. The firsttopic sets the case for e-learning by dealing withsubjects such as its history, its advantages and anydrawbacks, and whether it can actually lead to learning.The second topic describes important types oflearning tools that are available today. The third topicdeals with the characteristics of online courses and howone can create successful learning communities. Thefourth topic is about emerging learning trends. Herewe explain themes such as micro-learning andgamification. And the final topic describes theapplication of e-learning in different industries. 4

What is e-learning?When it comes to education, the model has been prettystraight forward - up until the early ‘00s education wasin a classroom of students with a teacher who led theprocess. Physical presence was a no-brainer, and anyother type of learning was questionable at best. Then thecomputer evolution happened and it radically changedthe learning landscape.In essence, e-learning is a computer based educationaltool or system that enables you to learn anywhere and atany time. Today e-learning is mostly delivered thoughthe internet, although in the past it was delivered usinga blend of computer-based methods like CD-ROM.Technology has advanced so much that the geographicalgap is bridged with the use of tools that make you feel as 5

if you are inside the classroom. E-learning offers theability to share material in all kinds of formats such asvideos, slideshows, word documents and PDFs.Conducting webinars (live online classes) andcommunicating with professors via chat and messageforums is also an option available to users.There is a plethora of different e-learning systems(otherwise known as Learning Management Systems, orLMSs for short) and methods, which allow for courses tobe delivered. With the right tool various processes canbe automated such as the marking of tests or thecreation of engaging content. E-learning provides thelearners with the ability to fit learning around theirlifestyles, effectively allowing even the busiest person tofurther a career and gain new qualifications.Some of the most important developments in educationhave happened since the launch of the internet. Thesedays learners are well versed in the use of smartphones,text messaging and using the internet so participating inand running an online course has become a simpleaffair. Message boards, social media and various othermeans of online communication allow learners to keep 6

in touch and discuss course related matters, whilstproviding for a sense of community.In the fast-paced world of e-learning the availabletechnologies to make a course exciting are alwayschanging, and course content can and should beupdated quickly to give students the very latestinformation. This is especially important if the e-learning training is being given to employees in a sectorwhere keeping up-to-date on industry developments isof the utmost importance. This is one of the reasons whymany businesses are now offering training via e-learning - other reasons includes low costs and theability for employees to study in their own time andplace.Overall, traditional learning is expensive, takes a longtime and the results can vary. E-learning offers analternative that is faster, cheaper and potentially better. 7

The history of e-learningThe term “e-learning” has only been in existence since1999, when the word was first utilized at a CBT systemsseminar. Other words also began to spring up in searchof an accurate description such as “online learning” and“virtual learning”. However, the principles behind e-learning have been well documented throughouthistory, and there is even evidence which suggests thatearly forms of e-learning existed as far back as the 19thcentury.An e-learning timelineLong before the internet was launched, distance courseswere being offered to provide students with educationon particular subjects or skills. In the 1840′s IsaacPitman taught his pupils shorthand via correspondence. 8

This form of symbolic writing was designed to improvewriting speed and was popular amongst secretaries,journalists, and other individuals who did a great deal ofnote taking or writing. Pitman, who was a qualifiedteacher, was sent completed assignments by mail and hewould then send his students more work to be finishedusing the same system.In 1924, the first testing machine was invented. Thisdevice allowed students to tests themselves. Then, in1954, BF Skinner, a Harvard Professor, invented the“teaching machine”, which enabled schools toadminister programmed instruction to their students. Itwasn’t until 1960 however that the first computer basedtraining program was introduced to the world. Thiscomputer based training program (or CBT program)was known as PLATO-Programmed Logic forAutomated Teaching Operations. It was originallydesigned for students attending the University ofIllinois, but ended up being used in schools throughoutthe area.The first e-learning systems were really only set up todeliver information to students but as we entered the70s e-learning started to become more interactive. In 9

Britain the Open University was keen to take advantageof e-learning. Their system of education has always beenprimarily focused on learning at a distance. In the past,course materials were delivered by post andcorrespondence with tutors was via mail. With theinternet the Open University began to offer a widerrange of interactive educational experiences as well asfaster correspondence with students via email etc.Online learning todayWith the introduction of the computer and internet inthe late 20th century, e-learning tools and deliverymethods expanded. The first MAC in the 1980′s enabledindividuals to have computers in their homes, making iteasier for them to learn about particular subjects anddevelop certain skill sets. Then, in the following decade,virtual learning environments began to truly thrive, withpeople gaining access to a wealth of online informationand e-learning opportunities.By the early 90s several schools had been set up thatdelivered courses online only, making the most of theinternet and bringing education to people who wouldn'tpreviously have been able to attend a college due togeographical or time constraints. Technological 10

advancements also helped educational establishmentsreduce the costs of distance learning, a saving thatwould also be passed on to the students - helping bringeducation to a wider audience.In the 2000′s, businesses began using e-learning totrain their employees. New and experienced workersalike now had the opportunity to improve upon theirindustry knowledge base and expand their skill sets. Athome individuals were granted access to programs thatoffered them the ability to earn online degrees andenrich their lives through expanded knowledge. The benefits and drawbacks of online learningWhether you're a high-school teacher looking to engageyour students in a more interactive way, or a corporatetrainer hired by a large company to design training 11

curricula, e-learning packs a punch when it comes tobenefits that make the creation and delivery processeseasier and hassle-free. Important benefits are outlinedbelow:No Boundaries, No RestrictionsAlong with locational restrictions, time is one of theissues that learners and teachers both have to face inlearning. In the case of face-to-face learning, thelocation limits attendance to a group of learners whohave the ability to participate in the area, and in the caseof time, it limits the crowd to those who can attend at aspecific time. E-learning, on the other hand, facilitateslearning without having to organize when and whereeveryone who is interested in a course can be present.More FunDesigning a course in a way that makes it interactiveand fun through the use of multimedia or the morerecently developed methods of gamification (furtherdiscussed in later chapters) enhances not only yourengagement factor, but also the relative lifetime of thecourse material in question.Cost Effective 12

This is directed to both learners and teachers, but thereis a good chance that whatever your role you had to payexorbitant amounts of money at some point to acquireupdated versions of textbooks for school or college.While textbooks often become obsolete after a certainperiod of time, the need to constantly acquire neweditions is not present in e-learning.It Just Fits!As companies and organizations adopt technologies toimprove the efficiency of day-to-day operations, the useof the internet becomes a necessity. As multinationalcorporations expand across the globe, the chances ofworking with people from other countries increases, andtraining all those parties together is an issue that e-learning successfully addresses.Let's blend all of that together and apply it in a real-lifescenario:In an effort to enhance the credibility of course material,oftentimes a professor will summon a field specialist togive a lecture relevant to the topic at hand. In thetraditional model of education, the professor wouldhave to extend an invitation to said expert, and incur thecosts of his flight, stay and training. 13

With e-learning:With e-learning the professor has the ability to host aguest lecture without having to spend much money. Itcan be done virtually, with cameras for both the lecturerand the students, and with the use of microphones tofacilitate the same level of interaction that would bepossible if the lecturer were physically present in theroom. The added benefit comes in when we are able toreplay the lecture and gain even more out of it. Studentsthat missed out can view the recording, or students thatattended can watch it again to further theirunderstanding.Concerns that arise with e-learningEven given all the benefits of e-learning, one cannotdeny there are some drawbacks. Practical skills aresomewhat harder to pick up from online resources. Forexample, although building a wooden table is somethingyou can easily share information about, record videos ofand explain, the practical experience is essential. Potteryand car engineering are examples of skills that requirehands-on experience.Isolation 14

Though e-learning offers ease, flexibility and the abilityto remotely access a classroom in the student’s owntime, learners may feel a sense of isolation. This isbecause learning online is a solo act for the most part,which may give the learner the feeling that they areacting completely alone. As technology progresses ande-learning benefits from the advancements being made,learners can now engage more actively with professorsor other students using tools such as video conferencing,social media, and discussion forums amongst others.Health Related ConcernsE-learning requires the use of a computer and othersuch devices; this means that eyestrain, bad posture andother physical problems may affect the learner. Whenrunning an online course it’s a good practice to send outguidelines about correct sitting posture, desk height,and recommendations for regular breaks. 15

Can we learn online?One of the most longstanding debates in the field ofeducation has been whether or not we can benefit frome-learning to actually learn. Do we, as human beings,have the ability to soak up information in this fashion,and can we truly learn new skills and expand ourknowledge by learning virtually? We realize thereservations of people who will argue that computerspromote procrastination and offer distractions, howeverwe owe it to ourselves to dig a little deeper and see theother side of the coin that pinpoints the uniqueadvantages of learning online.It's true that as individuals we don't all respond to oneteaching method in the same way - some learn visually,and others learn with repetition or writing; some prefer 16

to learn by themselves, whilst others need someone toguide them all along the way; some are extroverts andfeel comfortable talking in front of people, whilst othersare introverts and are afraid to communicate openlyinside the classroom. E-learning responds to thosedifferent needs with the use of different tools and avariety of materials. For example, e-learning commonlyoffers audiovisual content or interactive testing on thego that can be more attractive for younger learners thantraditional books. E-learning also lets peoplecommunicate through email, forum or chat, allowingeven introverts to take part in related conversations.E-Learning, in comparison with traditional learning,significantly reduces the time needed to locateinformation. It also offers access to online resources,databases, periodicals, journals and other material youwouldn't normally have access to from a library. If astudent has trouble understanding part of thecoursework, finding tips on the matter couldn't be easierthan having immediate access to supplementary,unlimited and mostly free material online! Thosecharacteristics can potentially maximize the time spentactually learning rather than looking for information 17

(note however that seeking information can be alearning process in and of itself! – the word serendipitydescribes exactly that, the accident of finding somethinggood or useful even when not specifically searching forit).Learning online in practice!Universities already embrace the power of e-learning todeliver content to students all over the world, even forfree. At a time in which universities are under greatpressure to deliver education, combining technologywith education is integral to coming up with a finalproduct that will empower the educational institution,set it apart, and allow it to grow its student baseworldwide. Harvard and MIT are just two of the mostwell-known universities that have launched programsfocused on offering classes online for free. Harvardvideotapes its lectures and puts them online, so even itsown student body can view and review them in case theymissed a lecture or need to review a section.Coursera is a hub for universities that choose to offeronline classes through its platform for free. Already,companies and corporations spanning the globe acceptcertificates of completion of classes offered in Coursera 18

as valid credits, as if they had been completed at theuniversity of origin. The material is essentially the same,the difference is the medium. Harvard for example,takes the delivery of online courses very seriously,delivering live classes which are recorded and deliveredonline. Harvard has even launched a specially designedsection within its campus, employing videographers andspecialists to design and create the perfect content to bedelivered through its online platform. Best practices of online trainingOnline learning can offer a wide range of benefits.However, the knowledge that a student is able to acquirethis way depends not only on the course material that is 19

offered, but also the practices used to provide them withthis information. Here are just a few of the bestpractices of online training which help to betterfacilitate the e-learning process:A supportive communityTeachers and e-learning establishments shouldencourage a strong sense of community amongst theironline students. This will enable students to interactwith one another and the instructors, as well as with theresources provided, making for an enhancededucational experience!Clear expectationsStudents should be aware of what they will be receivingfrom the virtual class instruction, and both partiesshould know the preferred method of communicationand delivery of the core curriculum. For example, ateacher may prefer to email assignments to students,while another might choose to deliver it via the e-learning site instead. Also, it’s best to have clearexpectations about how long each item of courseworkshould take to complete.Asynchronous and synchronous activities 20

It’s important to incorporate activities that are moreinteractive, as well as those that require the student tobrainstorm and research a topic in depth. Thanks to theinternet students can now attend virtual live courses aswell as complete coursework offline that can enablethem to delve into a specific subject or skill set.Effective usage of available resourcesTo get the most out of the e-learning experience boththe teacher and the student should take full advantageof the vast amount of resources that are available online.There are literally hundreds of online services that offeraccess to information, with Wikipedia being aprominent example. Instructors should seize theopportunity to enhance their content with onlinematerial or redirect students to additional webresources. 21

Learning vs. TrainingIt's important to understand the difference betweenlearning and training. Of course they are inextricablylinked, but they are unique aspects of any educationalprocess. Training is the giving of information andknowledge, through speech, the written word or othermethods of demonstration in a manner that instructsthe trainee. Learning is the process of absorbing thatinformation in order to increase skills and abilities andmake use of it under a variety of contexts. Whatever thegoals, the quality of the learning will rely largely on thequality of the training, and so the role of trainer is veryimportant as it can have a huge effect on the outcome ofa course for the learner. 22

Let's look at the characteristics of each, and see whatmakes an e-learning environment work.The characteristics of learningAs mentioned above, learning is the process ofabsorbing information and retaining it with the goal ofincreasing skills and abilities in order to achieve goals -but it's more than that. Learning is what we go throughwhen we want to be equipped for non-specific andunexpected situations and the two are not mutuallyexclusive. While you do learn to do something specific,you are also inadvertently equipped with the knowledgeand/or skills to face future challenges. In essence,learning is all about equipping a person to tackle notjust today's issues, but preparing him/her to creativelycome up with ways to tackle tomorrow's issues.The characteristics of trainingTraining on the other hand focuses more on thedevelopment of new skills or skill sets that will be used.Training is the process each new employee goes throughwhen joining a company to learn how to carry out theday-to-day operations, know how their departmentworks and how job-specific tools operate in order tocarry out their responsibilities. In essence, through 23

training, we are not looking to reshape the behavior ofan individual rather the point is to teach the employeeor learner how things are done so that they can thencarry out a process on their own.Ideally, an e-learning environment will utilize bothlearning and training principles throughout itscurriculum. This allows instructors/trainers to providetheir learners with the tools to tackle currentissues, develop life-long skills, improve on theirproblem-solving skills and utilize resources to the bestof their ability. E-learning in education vs. corporate sectorE-learning allows both students and business executivesto learn anywhere and at any time. You can learn from 24

virtually any place with a computer or mobile device andinternet connection, meaning you can study from home,on vacation or in your break. But e-learning is morethan about convenience and there are fundamentaldifferences between e-learning in the corporate sectorand in education.What happens in the corporate environment?The role of corporate training is to ensure an employeehas the knowledge and skills to undertake a specificoperation to enable an organization to continue tooperate. Fundamentally, corporate training is centeredon knowledge transfer. For example, conferences andworkshops are an essential yet expensive part ofbusiness and e-learning makes it affordable and efficient- sales people, for instance, can receive their training onnew products and sales strategies online. E-learning canbe translated to lower costs to deliver training in ashorter period of time, especially when employees arespread worldwide.Corporate education however adds another dimensionand depth to training by involving learners asparticipants in generating new knowledge that assists anorganization to develop and evolve. 25

The main characteristics of corporate learning are:Fast-paced: Enterprise learning is mostly \"fast paced\"because \"time is money\" in the corporate world.Training needs to be delivered in as short a time frameas possible with maximum results.Career-related: Enterprise learning helps employeesgain new skills to advance their careers inside thecompany. Enterprise LMSs have additional modules tofacilitate that process.Benefits organization: Enterprise learning focusesmainly on pragmatic issues with immediate benefits forthe organization rather than just individual benefit.Ultimately training is required for the organization tofunction correctly, and corporate education in order forit to evolve and develop.Training vs. Education: Enterprise is mostly focusedon training, while education is mostly about learningthough \"igniting curiosity\" (check out this related poston ‘Learning through Curiosity’). Training usuallymeans the act of being prepared for something, of beingtaught or learning a particular skill and practicing ituntil the required standard is reached. This has obviouspractical implications for the workplace. 26

Return on investment: An enterprise needs to beable to calculate the ROI of its learning investment. Inan educational context this ROI is difficult to calculateand usually the effects of learning take years to show.What happens in educational institutes?In comparison with corporate learning, learning in theeducation sector focuses primarily on knowledgetransfer and not on training i.e. in education we mainlystrive to learn things with global scope (e.g. a subjectsuch as mathematics) whilst corporate e-learning ismore focused on business needs (e.g. new recruitinduction). The word education means to gain generaltheoretical knowledge and this may or may not involvelearning how to do any specific practical work, tasks orskills. Please note that there is some overlap and thatthe word ‘education’ can also refer to a process oftraining or receiving tuition. For example, basic trainingin a field such as health services is usually acombination of theoretical, educational and practicallearning skills.ConvergenceCorporate e-learning professionals can learn fromacademic e-learning initiatives and vice versa, and we 27

are currently seeing a convergence of academic andcorporate e-learning needs. For example, the academicspace is starting to gravitate towards incorporatingcorporate methods in the classroom on how certaintopics are taught. And on the corporate side they’reshifting the model of utilizing technologies in a way thatsupports the traditional classroom of academicsespecially with regards to blending technologies.There is obvious overlap: mobile learning for example isbecoming increasingly popular with learners having oneif not more mobile devices in their possession andtaking these devices to school or work. Learners haveaccess to the internet and social networks via thesemobile devices so all the technologies required to gatherinformation, create content and communicate withother people are readily available and naturally createan environment conducive to learning. Currently boththe education and corporate sectors are struggling toanswer the exact same questions: how do we use thesefor learning? How do instructional design, and teachingmethodologies and theories apply to delivering contentvia mobile devices? It’s only natural for knowledge to beshared across the table. 28

The future of e-learningE-learning is here to stay. As computer ownership growsacross the globe e-learning becomes increasingly viableand accessible. Internet connection speeds areincreasing, and with that, opportunities for moremultimedia training methods arise. With the immenseimprovement of mobile networks in the past few yearsand the increase in telecommuting, taking all theawesome features of e-learning on the road is a realitywith smartphones and other portable devices.Technologies such as social media are also transformingeducation constantly.Generally speaking, learning is expensive, takes a longtime and the results can vary. E-learning has been tryingfor years now to complement the way we learn to make 29

it more effective and measurable. The result now beingthat there are a number of tools that help createinteractive courses, standardize the learning processand/or inject informal elements to otherwise formallearning processes. Several e-learning trends give us aview to how e-learning and learning tools will be shapedin the future:Micro-learning focuses on the design of micro-learning activities through micro-steps in digital mediaenvironments, which already is a daily reality fortoday's knowledge workers. These activities can beincorporated into a learner's daily routines. Unlike\"traditional\" e-learning approaches, micro-learningoften tends towards push technology through pushmedia, which reduces the cognitive load on the learners.Therefore, the selection of micro-learning objects andalso pace and timing of micro-learning activities are ofimportance for didactical designs. Micro-learning is animportant paradigm shift that avoids the need to haveseparate learning sessions since the learning process isembedded in the daily routine of the end-user. It is alsoperfectly suited for mobile devices where long coursescan be overkill. 30

Gamification is the use of game thinking and gamemechanics in a non-game context to engage users andsolve problems.Personalized Learning is the tailoring of pedagogy,curriculum and learning environments to meet theneeds and aspirations of individual learners.Personalization is broader than just individualization ordifferentiation in that it affords the learner a degree ofchoice about what is learned, when it is learned and howit is learned. This may not indicate unlimited choicesince learners will still have targets to be met. However,it may provide learners the opportunity to learn in waysthat suit their individual learning styles and multipleintelligences.The distant future: Automatic learningIn a well-known scene from the movie The Matrix, Neolies down in a high-tech dentist’s chair and straps on awild array of electrodes, downloading a series of martialarts training programs into his brain. Afterward, heopens his eyes and speaks the words geeks have beenquoting ever since: “I know Kung Fu.”This type of automatic learning might sound like adystopian future for many but it is where we are 31

heading. And despite the ethical questions that mayarise, the benefits could be substantial at multiple levelsif used properly. Here's how it works: you pick a taskthat requires high performance from your visual cortexsuch as catching a ball. Then you go find someone who'sa pro at catching a ball, place them in an fMRI machineand record what's going on in their brain whilst theyvisualize catching a ball. Then you've got your ball-catching program, and you're ready to learn. Next step:put yourself into the fMRI machine, and rig it to inducethat pro ball-catching imagery that you recorded earlierin your brain using neuro feedback. You don't even haveto be paying attention while this is going on. Your brain,though, becomes familiar with that pattern - which isessentially what learning is: the brain becoming familiarwith new patterns.Research has shown that this fMRI pattern playback cancause long-lasting improvement in tasks that requirevisual performance. In theory, a type of automatedlearning is a potential outcome and what e-learning inthe distant future may look like. 32

LEARNINGPLATFORMS 33

What is a LMS?LMS stands for Learning Management System and it's aglobal term for a computer system specificallydeveloped for managing online courses, distributingcourse materials and allowing collaboration betweenstudents and teachers. A LMS will allow you to manageevery aspect of a course, from the registration ofstudents to the storing of test results, as well as allowingyou to accept assignments digitally and keep in touchwith your students. In essence, the LMS is the backboneof most e-learning activities.LMSs are built on various platforms, commonly PHP,.Net or Java and they will hook up to a database such as 34

PostgreSQL, MySQL or SQL Server. There are manyLMSs out there, both commercial and open source.In a corporate environment such a system can be usedto monitor staff, and keep records of appraisals andtraining. Whether your course is run for a few learnersover a long period of time, or for many over a shorterperiod, a Learning Management System makes your lifeeasier and helps your course run smoothly. A good LMSwill also have a reporting system so you can accessinformation that would be tricky to gather yourself.LMSs do vary in the features they offer, but mostsystems are likely to have some or all of the followingfeatures:Easy GUIGUI stands for Graphical User Interface. Most LMSsoffer customization options for the interface to allow theuser to give a unique flavor to his learning platform.Although the GUI is there to make the environmentmore aesthetically pleasing, it’s also meant to befunctional.Customization 35

Aside from the GUI an LMS will oftentimes offer severaldifferent options for customization to tailor the systemto your needs. Language options, notification settingsand other important features can be changed to suit theway you want your LMS to work for you. This is greatbecause one LMS can be used by many different types ofusers, each with unique preferences.EnrollmentThe system may allow students to enroll online and keeptrack of their details, course progress and test results foryou. It may also allow students to pay their course feesonline via credit card, debit card or PayPal.Virtual ClassroomYour LMS may integrate with whiteboard systems forvirtual classroom sessions and help you to schedulesessions too. It may offer you the ability to send outinvites or reminders for classroom sessions andintegrate with an online calendar system or withOutlook.Social Networking 36

An LMS may be able to integrate with social media soyou can share your content or news items via Twitter orFacebook etc. at the click of a button.CommunicationYour LMS system should also have built in functionalityfor communicating with your students, such as sendingout a bulk email to everyone on a particular course, toindividual students or to students studying a particularpathway. You should also be able to schedule automaticemails which can be very useful for notifying students ofan upcoming test or virtual classroom session. A LMSmay provide you with a chat room or a forum that youand your students can use.Course pathwaysWith your LMS you should also be able to specify thedetails of a course with a flexible work flow to setstudents on certain ‘learning pathways’.ReportsAny good LMS will have a reporting system you can tapinto, generating reports that you can export into Excel,and also offering you graphical representation of yourdata for ease of understanding. 37

Help with content creationBeing user-friendly is more than just a phrase. It’s anaction. When entering into your LMS for the first timeit’s good to have at least a sample of a course to get yougoing. An example of how to upload, manage, anddistribute content within the system can go a long waywith a new user. Templates are also good at getting newusers going. TestingTests are an important part of many online courses andmost LMSs will have plenty of functionality related tothis. You'll want a robust test environment with varioustypes of tests available to you and some built-intemplates to use as a starting point. It's likely that you'llhave the ability to randomize test questions and set atime limit for tests. With the test environment beingwithin your LMS, you should also be able to rely on thesecurity of your system. Test results will be stored andavailable to you within the reporting area of your LMS.You should also be able to set up a multiple choice testto be self-grading and choose to have the resultsdelivered just to you, or perhaps also displayed instantlyon-screen for your students. 38

Types of learning management systemsThere are many LMSs available depending on yourneeds and budget. There are even free systems such asopen source software that by definition are 'open' i.e. thesource code is freely available for you to use and toadapt to your own needs. Many users of open sourcesoftware will make improvements or use add-ons fortheir own needs, and then put it back out into thecommunity for others to use. Open source LMSs cangrow rapidly if they get enough interest and input.While you may not get any official support for an opensource LMS, there will usually be a strong community 39

base online with forums or email lists where you can askfor and offer help.Of course there are also commercial LMSs. If you'repaying for an LMS then you'll get a more robustproduct, you're also likely to get good documentationand you'll probably have a good level of support as well.A commercial product may be more stable and bug-freethan a free version, but of course there are alwaysexceptions to that rule so it's a good idea to read reviewsof various LMSs before you make your choice. Check outthe features to ensure that everything you need isincluded.You'll also need to consider whether to use a deployedsolution or a hosted system. A deployed solution systemwill generally be set up on computers within yourpremises and behind your firewall. A deployed solution(or Internal System) may incur extra costs as the settingup of the system is likely to be done in-house ratherthan remotely. An installed system may also requiremore maintenance and support than you're able toprovide unless you have a dedicated IT team ready tosupport it. It is vital your system stays up and runningso before you choose this option make sure you have 40

people with the relevant skills available who will bewilling to fix problems as soon as they occur.With a hosted or SaaS (Software as a Service) LMS a lotof the work is taken off your hands, the system runs onsomeone else's server so you don't have to worry aboutserver load or maintenance. The system will be set up byyour provider and they should also take care of backups,or at least offer you a simple interface to schedule yourown backups. A hosted service is normally up andrunning as soon as it’s ordered since the serviceprovider will be used to the procedure. In some cases itcan even done automatically by the system uponelectronic request. They'll also be able to implement anyupdates and fixes remotely for you.A deployed solution will have a greater initial cost asyou'll have the software and installation to pay for, but itmay be more cost effective in the long run. With ahosted system you'll have less to pay initially, nosoftware purchase costs, no installation fees and limitedtechnical problems but over the years you may end uppaying out more than if you'd opted for an installedLMS. 41

What is a content authoring tool?An e-learning authoring tool is a software packagewhich developers use to create and package e-learningcontent deliverable to end users.According to Wikipedia.org, “a content-authoring tool isa software application used to create multimediacontent typically for delivery on the World Wide Web.Content-authoring tools may also create content inother file formats so the training can be delivered on aCD (compact disc) or in other formats for variousdifferent uses. The category of content-authoring toolsincludes HTML, Flash, and various types of e-learningauthoring tools.” 42

Many programs can be considered authoring tools,including Flash, and PowerPoint. However, only a smallgroup of programs specifically include support for e-learning content standards such as SCORM (ShareableContent Object Reference Model) or AICC (CBT)(Aviation Industry CBT Committee). Examples:Articulate Storyline, Composica, Adobe Authorwareand Camtasia. Synchronous e-learning vs. asynchronous e-learningIn today’s e-learning environment the type of learningthat takes place is generally divided into one of twocategories: synchronous and asynchronous. Bothstrategies have their own pros and cons, and the 43

technique that is right for a student greatly dependsupon their method of absorbing the information that isbeing provided.What is synchronous learning?Examples of synchronous e-learning are online chat andvideoconferencing. Any learning tool that is in real-time,such as instant messaging that allows students andteachers to ask and answer questions immediately, issynchronous. Rather than learning on their own,students who participate in synchronous learningcourses are able to interact with other students and theirteachers during the lesson.The main benefit of synchronous learning is that itenables students to avoid feelings of isolation since theyare in communication with others throughout thelearning process. However synchronous learning is notas flexible in terms of time as students would have to setaside a specific time slot in order to attend a liveteaching session or online course in real-time. So it maynot be ideal for those who already have busy schedules. 44

What is asynchronous learning?Asynchronous learning on the other hand can be carriedout even when the student or teacher is offline.Coursework and communications delivered via web,email and messages posted on community forums areperfect examples of asynchronous e-learning. In theseinstances, students will typically complete the lessonson their own and merely use the internet as a supporttool rather than venturing online solely for interactiveclasses.A student is able to follow the curriculum at their ownpace without having to worry about scheduling conflicts.This may be a perfect option for users who enjoy takingtheir time with each lesson plan in the curriculum andwould prefer to research topics on their own. However,those who lack the motivation to do the coursework ontheir own may find that they do not receive significantbenefit from asynchronous learning. Asynchronouslearning can also lead to feelings of isolation, as there isno real interactive educational environment.Ideally, effective e-learning courses should include bothasynchronous and synchronous learning activities. Thisallows students and teachers to benefit from the 45

different delivery formats regardless of their schedulesor preferred learning methods. This approach providesstudents with access to immediate help if needed, whilestill giving them the ability to learn at their own pace.What is SCORM & TinCan?SCORM, or Shareable Content Object Reference Model,defines a specific way of constructing LearningManagement Systems and training content so that theywork well with other SCORM conformant systems.Basically, the different versions of SCORM all governthe same two things: packaging content andexchanging data at run-time.Packaging content determines how a piece of contentshould be delivered in a physical sense. At the core of 46

SCORM packaging is a document entitled the“imsmanifest”. This file contains every piece ofinformation required by the LMS to import and launchcontent without human intervention. This file containsXML that describes the structure of a course both from alearner’s perspective and from a physical file systemperspective. Questions such as: “Which documentshould be launched?” and “What is the name of thiscontent?” are answered by this document.Run-time communication, or data exchange, specifieshow the content “talks” to the LMS while the content isactually playing. This is the part of the equation wedescribe as delivery and tracking. There are two majorcomponents to this communication. First, the contenthas to “find” the LMS. Once the content has found it, itcan then communicate through a series of “get” and“set” calls and an associated vocabulary. Conceptually,these are things like “request the learner’s name” and“tell the LMS that the learner scored 95% on this test.”Based on the available SCORM vocabulary, many richinteractive experiences can be communicated to theLMS.Why should I use SCORM? 47

SCORM is a really powerful tool for anyone involved inonline training. Content can be created one time andused in many different systems and situations withoutmodification. This plug-and-play functionality can bepowerful within an organization but even more soacross organizations. Content can be sold and deliveredto the user more quickly, more efficiently, and at a lowerprice.SCORM is widely adopted by huge organizations. It hasthe critical momentum and is the de facto industrystandard. The US Department of Defense has specifiedthat all of its content must be delivered via SCORM. Allof it! Industry is following suit, and the standardappears in a vast majority of RFPs to procure bothtraining content and Learning Management Systems.What is TinCan?SCORM was developed over a decade ago now. Timeshave changed and the requirements of educators havechanged, and so TinCan was developed. TinCan is anopen source API that adds some needed extrafunctionality to SCORM and lifts many restrictions ofolder specifications. 48

The extra features provided by TinCan includesimplicity, extra security measures, the ability to runcourses outside the LMS, better support for offline andmobile learning and (potentially) more detailedreporting.Development of TinCan is an ongoing project so weshould expect more from it in the future. Technologies used in e- learningE-learning makes use of many technologies - some ofwhich have been developed specifically for it, whilstothers conveniently complemented the learning process,for example computer games. Communicationtechnologies are also widely used in e-learning. Startingwith the use of email and instant messaging, message 49