In the last few years, new
technology-related terms
have become an intricate
part of our everyday lives.
In the field of languages in
particular, it is common to
hear about interactive CD
ROMs, the Internet and
E-learning (Electronic
Learning)
Although most learners are
quite aware of what CD ROMs
and the Internet can offer
for their language learning
the (dictionaries, special
resources, audiovisual
files, authentic sources of
materials, etc), many do not
know for certain what
E-learning is about. We
could agree on the fact that
they can infer that it
involves a computer since we
are talking about Electronic
Learning, but when it comes
to the way in which the
instruction is carried out
or the different means of
interaction between teachers
and students, they may feel
at a loss.
For starters we can say that
“E-learning” refers any
learning that utilizes a
network (such as the
Internet) for delivery,
interaction, or
facilitation.
How do people Interact in an
online course? In a
traditional class learners
can pose questions or
comments to the instructor,
interact in verbal
discussions, or collaborate
with small groups. Similar
forms of interaction and
collaboration exist in
online courses, with a few
substantial differences.
In most current language
E-courses, the first major
difference is that written
communication is much more
prevalent in online
classrooms.
However, when E-learning
classes are delivered via
audio and video
conferencing, E-learning is
king. It offers learners the
opportunity of learning
directly from the horse’s
mouth, learning language as
well as culture from a
native speaker of the
language they are trying to
learn. Classes are oral most
of the time. After all, in a
regular class no student has
the opportunity of talking
100% of the time as it
happens in an online lesson.
This of course maximizes the
student talking time as well
as the listening
comprehension process, which
improves dramatically in a
relatively short period of
time. This simply happens
because, in most cases, the
interaction takes place with
a native speaker of the
language who is qualified in
the teaching of second
languages.
In our future mini-articles,
we are going to go deeper
into the different kinds of
E-learning instruction
available at present and we
are also going to analyze
the pros and cons that each
one entails. Below, you will
find a glossary with the
main uses of E-learning in
second languages. After the
glossary, try to reflect
upon those technologies:
Reflection: Think about each
of these language training
systems and jot down as many
pros and cons as you could
possibly imagine.
Brief Glossary on E-learning
* Computer Based Training (CBT)
– Training or instruction
where a computer program
provides motivation and
feedback in place on a live
instructor. CBT can be
delivered via CD-ROM, LAN or
Internet. Creation is done
by teams of people including
instructional designers, and
often has high development
costs.
*Web Based Training (WBT) -
Training which is delivered
over a network (LAN, WAN or
Internet). Can be either
Instructor-led or Computer
Based . Very similar to
eLearning , but it implies
that the learning is in the
professional or corporate
level.
*Synchronous Learning – Any
learning event where
interaction happens
simultaneously in real-time.
This requires that learners
attend class at its
scheduled time. Could be
held in a traditional
classroom, or delivered via
distributed or eLearning
technologies.
*Asynchronous Learning – Any
learning event where
interaction is delayed over
time. This allows learners
to participate according to
their schedule, and be
geographically separate from
the instructor. Could be in
the form of a correspondence
course or eLearning .
Interaction can take use
various technologies like
threaded discussion.
*Instructor-led Training (ILT)
– A learning event which is
led by an instructor , and
either held in a physical
location or delivered via a
network ( WBT , eLearning ).
Usually implies the
professional or corporate
level and synchronous
learning.
We hope this article
provided you with valuable
information, which will help
you to make more informed
decisions. Please get in
touch with us at sales@webesolution.com
if you are interested in our
service, or even if you
would just like to find out
more.
