Chapter 17, e-Learning

Outline
17.1
17.2
17.3
17.4
17.5
17.6
17.7
17.8
17.9

Introduction
e-Learning Technologies and Infrastructure
e-Learning Overview
e-Learning Solution Providers
Training Marketplaces
Information Technology (IT) Training Online
Traditional Education Online
Studying Online
Educational Supplies and Resources Online

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.1 Introduction
E-learning
The use of the Internet and related technologies for the
development, distribution and enhancement of learning
resources

Provides students and professional with skills for

career advancement, enabling busy people to learn
new technologies
Experts believe it to be the fastest growing
education industry, expecting it to double in size
between 2000 and 2002

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.1 Introduction
e-Learning SWOT Analysis

Strengths

Abilitytooffereducationtolargenumbersofstudentsfromdistant
locations.
Lowercosts(travel,instructorfees).
Shortercoursesmeanlesstimecommitmentnecessaryfromcorporate
students.
Lowercostmeanseducationismoreaccessibletopeoplewithlimited
financialresources.
Usebestinstructorsmakingbestcoursesavailabletoall.

Weaknesses Largecommitmenttotechnologyneededfromuniversities,corporationsofferinge
learningcourses.
Lackoffacetofacecontactwithstudents.

Currenttechnologydoesnotsupportlowcost,highbandwidth,synchronousstudent
teacherinteraction.

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.1 Introduction
Opportunities

Abilitytoreachtheworldinstantaneouslywiththelatestnewsand
technologies.
Abilitytotrainsalesforceandemployeesaboutproductadvancements.
Accesstocoursesfromavarietyofuniversities.
Decreaselongtermeducationexpensesbyshiftinglearningprogramstothe
Web.

Threats

Lackofstudentinterest.
Equipmentandtechnologyrequirementsrestrictadoptionofelearning.
Lackofhumaninteractiondetersthelearningprocess.

Mostcorporateinstructorledcourseslast45days,comprehensive
coverageofsometopicscouldbelostinashorterecourse.

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.2 e-Learning Technologies and

Infrastructure

Video-conferencing technology
Streaming audio and video
Redundant storage space
High-bandwidth required to broadcast courses
over the Web
Computer-based-training (CBT)

Interactive educational software presented on floppy disks

and CDs
Allows students to take a self-paced course in any number of
subjects
Since no downloading is necessary, bandwidth is not a
concern with CBT courses
2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.2 e-Learning Technologies and

Infrastructure
Web-based-training developers must consider that
their courses will be used on varying operating
systems and platforms
Cross-platform
Products are accessible by many different operating systems

Asynchronous courses

Can be taken any time, are self-paced and will not have the
benefit of a live instructor
Courses must minimize student confusion by providing a
basic interface and clear, concise content
Students should have the ability to communicate with each
other using chat programs and message boards
2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.2 e-Learning Technologies and

Infrastructure
Storage space is a major concern for e-learning
vendors
Each course requires a database of information that can be
downloaded by the students
Audio and video require additional server space

Synchronous courses
Occurring in real time
Audio and video with live instructors will require even more
resources to ensure that systems function properly when the
courses are delivered

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

A database which can be accessed by employees and

students, providing course outlines, explanations, prerequisite information and courses
2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.3 e-Learning Overview

Learning marketplace
Connects students and teachers to courses on the Internet

Businesses design e-learning opportunities to

supplement their current products and services
Online universities offer both accredited and nonaccredited courses
Online learning also includes classes for people
interested in developing new skills or entertaining
hobbies

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.3 e-Learning Overview

Opponents of e-learning

Fear of an increase in the digital divide

Copyright infringement
Online learning reduces social interaction among children
Lack the socialization aspects of a traditional education
Web-based training is not always designed by skilled
educators

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.4 E-Learning Solution Providers

Build customized courses for businesses
Monitor the success of the training to determine
the companys return on investment (ROI)
The ratio of cost savings and increased revenue to money

Providers:

DigitalThink
Centra
Saba
SmartForce
THINQ.com
Click2Learn
2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.5 Training Marketplaces

Training marketplace
A forum for companies that need training but do not want to
pay the development and implementation costs of designing
their own program

Allow companies to select the material they need

and pay per course

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.5 Training Marketplaces

e-Learning
Solution Provider
Saba

URL

Features

www.saba.com

Offersconsultingservices,
solutionsimplementation,
hostingservices,scalable
corporateeducationservicesand
performancemanagement.

WBTSystems

www.wbtsytems.com

TopClass,WBTSystems
signatureproduct,offersdesign
anddevelopmentservicesfor
Webbasedtraining.

VCampus

www.vcampus.com

Provideselearningplatform
withcustomizingcapabilities.A
tourofVCampusanda
demonstrationcourseare
availablethroughthesite.

SmartForce

www.smartforce.com

Offerscustomizedelearning
solutionsandsupportservices.

THINQ

www.thinq.com

ProvidescustomizedWebbased
trainingthroughThinqLearning
Consultingservices.

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.5 Training Marketplaces

Click2Learn

www.click2learn.com

Adatabaseofproductsandservices
tohelpindividualsandcompanies
findthecoursestheyneed.Thissite
alsohasaskillsassessmentfeature
thathelpscustomersevaluatetheir
elearningneeds.Companies
wishingtodeveloptheirown
trainingcanusetheClick2Learn
Toolbookproducttodevelopand
sellcoursesontheClick2Learn
site.

Headlight.com

www.headlight.com

Design,developmentand
deploymentoftrainingcourses
basedoncorporateneeds.
Consultingservicesarealso
available.

PBSAdultLearning
Service

www.pbs.org/adultlearning

Licensesanddistributesonline
learningcoursestocolleges,
universities,etc.

Caliber

www.caliberlearning.com

Buildsonlinecoursestomeet
corporateneeds,provides
distributionmethodsandconsulting
services.

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.6 Information Technology (IT)

Training Online
Provides the advantage of hands-on experience
Students can learn new languages and techniques
and apply them directly while at the computer
Training Providers:

Knowledgenet.com
Wavetech.com
Ameritrain
CyberStateU
CodeWarriorU
NetScene
Quisic

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.6 Information Technology (IT)

Training Online

Quisic Corporate Programs. (Courtesy of Quisic. All Rights

Reserved.)
2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.6 Information Technology (IT)

Training Online

Quisic Corporate Programs. (Courtesy of Quisic. All Rights

Reserved.)
2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.6 Information Technology (IT)

Training Online
Products and Services
ViewdemonstrationsofKnowledgeNetincluding
KnowledgeNetLive(elearningclassroomsetting,dualband
communication,etc.);KnowledgeNetExpress(experience
MicrosoftandCiscotrainingsessions);KnowledgeNet
Custom(viewcustomdesignedtrainingsession);
KnowledgeNetMentorandKnowledgeNetLabs.
gocertify.earthweb.com ProvidesITtrainingandcertificationfromavarietyof
vendors.
www.wavetech.com
Offersinstructorledtraining,selfpacedstudy,
computerbasedtraining,certification,etc.
www.ameritrain.com
Provideshandsoncomputertraining.

URL
www.knowledgenet.com

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.7 Traditional Education

Elementary
High school
College and adult students
Accredited and non-accredited universities over
degrees online
In the future wireless applications may allow
classes to be taken while commuting to and from
work

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.7 Traditional Education

University
UniversityofDallas

URL
imba.udallas.edu

Programs Offered
eCommerce,
Telecommunications
Management,Information
TechnologyandSport
Management

ColoradoState

www.biz.colostate.edu

MBAandManagementof
Technology

EastCarolinaUniversity www.dcs.ecu.edu

MSIndustrialTechnology,
MSOccupationalSafety,
graduateandundergraduate
courses

ConcordUniversity

bw.concordlawschool.com

SuffolkUniversity

www.suffolkemba.org

JurisDoctorate,
ExecutiveJDSM
MBA

JonesInternational
University

www.educationalbenefit.com MBA

Kaplan

www.kaplancollege.com

CapellaUniversity

www.capellauniveristy.com

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

MBA,ParalegalStudies,
LegalNurseConsulting,
CriminalJusticeandLaw.
MS,MBA,PhD

17.8 Studying Online

School

URL

Purpose

Stanford

eskolar.com

Designedforhealthcareprofessionals,allowingthem
tomeetpatientneedsandcontinuetheireducation.

NYU

NYUOnline.com

Deliverscustomizedcontentpackagestobusiness
organizations.

Columbia

Fathom.com

Providesarticles,interviews,lecturesandadditional
resourcesintechnology,business,law,etc.

UCLA

OnlineLearning.net Offersbothaccreditedandnonaccreditedcontinuing
educationcourses.
Pensare.com
Hostsanelearningcenter,nowofferingStrategic
BusinessPlanAnalysis.

UPenn

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.8 Studying Online

Tutor.coms whiteboard. (Courtesy of tutor.com, Inc.)

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.

17.9 Educational Supplies and

Resources Online
Books, videos and other materials offered at a low
cost
Financial aid applications
Used book/ book-buy-back sales
Online services:

eCampus.com
Varsitybooks.com
Bigwords.com
Addall.com
Bookfinder.com
FreeScholarships.com

2001 Prentice Hall, Inc. All rights reserved.