I recently received feedback from someone who has read the E-Learning Concepts and Techniques E-Book. Arianne sent the another link that she has found quite useful for her research on online education, AcademicInfo.net, as an additional resource to those listed in Chapter 3.

Thanks, Arianne!

The NASA Digital Learning Network provides free interactive programs to teachers and students. These programs are numerous. The catalog can be found on the DLN web site (http://dln.nasa.gov/dln/).

Experience out-of-this-world interactive learning with NASA's Digital Learning Network™!

Free, interactive programs allow you and your students to learn more about our home planet and to journey into space using video-conferencing and Web casts. Students of all ages are able to speak directly with NASA personnel including scientists, engineers, astronauts, and education specialists. Placing an emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the DLN offers a wide variety of distance learning events designed to educate through demonstrations and real time interactions with experts. All programs are aligned to national standards with pre- and post-activities to enhance your video conference and Web cast experiences. Join NASA's DLN as we go back to the Moon, onto Mars, and beyond.

The programs are delivered from any one of the ten NASA centers across the country.

SCoPE brings together individuals who share an interest in education, research and practice.

SCoPE's current seminar is Serious Games and Virtual Worlds: April 4-24, 2007. There is a lot of discussion about Second Life and Ron Edwards, CEO of Ambient Performance is a guest at an event on Nick Noakes' Borocay Island in Second Life on Tuesday, April 11 at 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (8:00 PM Greenwich Mean Time).

In addition, one person shared an interesting link to an article about virtual worlds design, The Feng Shui of Virtual Reality by Michael Heim, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Summary: Advantages and Disadvantages of E-Learning Classes

The following is the transcript of the August 2006 E-Learning Classes podcast for the Institute for Interactive Technology (IIT) Podcast Series. The IIT is a consortium of faculty, staff and graduate students in the Master of Science in Instructional Technology program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Heading List

• Pam Berman: Introduction
• Karl Kapp: Introduction
• Pam Berman: Introduction to the Podcast
• Kristy Delvecchio and Megan Loughney: E-Learning Pros and Cons
• Disadvantages of E-Learning
• Advantages of E-Learning
• Steve Brink and Lauren Farrett: Dos and Don'ts of Taking Online Classes
• The Dos of Taking Online Classes
• The Don'ts of Taking Online Classes

Pam Berman: Introduction

Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, August 2006.

Karl Kapp: Introduction

Welcome to the Institute for Interactive Technologies instructional design podcast. These monthly podcasts will focus on the convergence of learning, technology and business.

Pam Berman: Introduction to the Podcast

Students in the E-Learning Concepts and Techniques class were asked to create podcasts on an e-learning-related topic of their choosing. This month's podcast deals with the pros and cons of e-learning.

Are you thinking about incorporating e-learning into your training? Maybe you are thinking about taking a class or workshop online. Whether you are an instructor or a student, before you take the plunge, it might be helpful to learn a little more about what it is like to take a class online.

Some online classes are similar to taking a correspondence course except that materials are sent by electronic means instead of through the postal service. The downside to this is the loss of interaction with the instructor as well as with other students. In addition, this method does not work well for all types of instruction.

When instructor/student interaction is a critical part of the learning, online classes can include a synchronous portion. For example, the class may meet at a set time each week. Instructors can meet virtually with students using chat room tools or products with voice over IP capabilities such as Centra or Horizon Wimba. And there is an added benefit when using these tools; if the class requires group project work, special sessions can be set up for each group to meet as needed for the duration of the class.

As with everything, there are benefits and pitfalls with e-learning. Let's hear about the pros and cons as well as the dos and don'ts of e-learning from some students who took the spring 2006 online E-Learning Concepts and Techniques class.

Kristy Delvecchio and Megan Loughney: E-Learning Pros and Cons

This is a podcast for the pros and cons of e-learning at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania presented by Kristy Delvecchio and Megan Loughney on March 26, 2006.

Disadvantages of E-Learning

First, we look at the disadvantages of e-learning. One disadvantage of e-learning is learners need to have access to a computer and Internet access. They also need to have computer skills with programs such as word processing, Internet browser, and e-mail. Without these skills and software, it is not possible for a student to succeed in e-learning.

E-learners need to be very comfortable using a computer. Slow Internet connection or old computers may make accessing course material difficult. This may cause learners to get frustrated and give up.

Another disadvantage of e-learning is managing computer files and online learning software. For learners with beginner level computer skills, it can sometimes seem complex to keep their computer files organized. Without good computer organizational skills, learners may lose or misplace reports causing them to be late submitting assignments. Some students may also have trouble installing software that is required for the class.

E-learning also requires just as much time as attending and completing assignments for any traditional classroom course. This means that students have to be highly motivated and responsible because all the work they do is on their own. Learners with low motivation or bad study habits may fall behind.

Another disadvantage of e-learning is that without the routine structures of a traditional class, students may get lost or confused about course activities and deadlines causing the students to fail or do poorly.

Another disadvantage of e-learning is that students may feel isolated from the instructor. Instructors are not always available to help the learner so learners need to have discipline to work independently without the instructor's assistance.

E-learners also need to have good writing skills and communication skills. When instructors and other learners aren't meeting face-to-face, it is possible to misinterpret what is meant.

Another con of e-learning is isolation from the other students. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a point across when you are not meeting in person. Poor learners are more likely to fall between the cracks when immediate and personalized help is lacking. Hands-on or lab work is difficult to simulate in a virtual classroom. Many students need to interact with hands-on work in order to gain a full understanding of what they are doing.

Instructors can also be a con of e-learning. Instructors of e-learning need to be effective online teachers because e-learning is much different from the traditional classroom learning environment. It is hard for instructors to move traditional classroom content online. Instructors do not always have enough time to provide personalized feedback to all the students because many students are actively involved in the learning process opposed to the traditional classroom.

Effective evaluations and assessments of the students are also difficult for the instructors to do online. Academic honesty of the student is also another issue of e-learning. Instructors are not always able to observe the students when they are taking tests so students have the opportunity to look up information during the test.

All these disadvantages are important for learners to think about before signing up for an e-learning class.

Advantages of E-Learning

If we look at the advantages of e-learning, one advantage is as long as the learner has access to a computer, has computer skills and typing skills, and has an Internet connection, there are no restrictions on the location for the learning. Learners can log onto a computer in any geographic location and they can participate in their e-learning. Therefore, learners do not have to spend time commuting to class which is another advantage to e-learning.

Since the learner does not need to travel for their learning, there are no travel expenses which is another advantage. Since e-learning can be done in any geographic location and there are no travel expenses, this type of learning is much less costly than doing learning at a traditional institute.

Another advantage to e-learning is the learner can work at their own pace. If the learner needs to do the learning at night, then this option is available. Learners can sit in their home, in their pajamas and do their learning if they so desire. Learners can fit this e-learning into their busy schedule. If they hold a job, they can still be working with e-learning.

Many times e-learning is more focused on the learner and is more interesting. For certain instruction for learners, it can be flexible and customized to meet their individual needs.

If money is an issue with the learner, then e-learning may be the type of instruction needed. When we talk about e-learning, the program is less expensive for both the learners and the organizations that are providing the training. The number of the learners to the program is not limited unlike a traditional institute where this number would be limited.

The instructors are much more responsive to the learners' needs working with e-learning. The learners and instructors are there because they want to learn in a manner that is time-effect to both of them. Because of this, better instruction will be given online, both informal and formal instruction. There will be more active learning through online courses taken rather than the passive learning that happens in traditional courses taken.

Only the best instructors will be hired for the position because they will be there because they want to be. The instructors will guide their learners through the learning process rather than just simply delivering information to their students like traditional courses do.

Many learners feel more comfortable taking online courses and therefore, will participate more in class discussions.

Students like e-learning because it accommodates different types of learning styles. Students have the advantage of learning at their own pace. Students can also learn through a variety of activities that apply to many different learning styles learners may have. Learners can fit this e-learning into their busy schedule. If they hold a job, they can still be working with e-learning. If the learner needs to do their learning at night, as said before, this option is available. Learners can sit in their home, in their pajamas and do the learning if so desired.

E-learning encourages students to peruse through information by using hyperlinks and sites on the World Wide Web. Students are able to find information relevant to their personal situations and interests. E-learning allows students to select learning materials that meets their level of knowledge, interests, and what they need to know to perform more effectively in an activity. Many times, e-learning is more focused on the learner and is more interesting for them.

For certain instruction for learners, it can be flexible and it can be customized to meet their individual needs. E-learning helps students develop knowledge of the Internet. This knowledge will help learners throughout their career.

E-learning encourages students to take personal responsibility for their own learning. When learners succeed, it builds self-knowledge and self-confidence in them. Educators and corporations really benefit from e-learning.

Learners enjoy having the opportunity to learn at their own pace, at their own time, and have it less costly.

These were the benefits and the cons of e-learning. Many educators and businesses greatly benefit from e-learning. However, some people do not enjoy e-learning and, therefore, there are negatives to this.

Steve Brink and Lauren Farrett: Dos and Don'ts of Taking Online Classes

Welcome to Steve and Lauren's dos and don'ts of taking online classes. Steve's going to explain the dos while Lauren explains the don'ts. Let's get started.

The Dos of Taking Online Classes

The first thing you want to do when taking an online class is make sure you read the syllabus. This will give you a good overview of what's coming up in the class and allow you to ask questions before you fall too far behind.

The second thing you want to make sure is that you have a quiet place for class. Don't sit in the TV room or the game room or in the family room where you can be distracted. You want to be able to focus on class just like you were sitting in a normal classroom.

Take notes just like you were in a class; either write them down on paper or type them out on some sort of word processing software.

Before the semester even gets started, you want to make sure you make time throughout the week to work on class. Schedule it in advance and get into a routine. This will ensure that you take the time that is needed to get your class work done but will also ensure you are not spending too much time in class and ignoring other parts of your life.

The next most important thing you can worry about is keeping up with all your work. Don't fall behind early in the semester and try to catch up later on. As the semester wears on more things seem to happen and it's going to be that much harder to get caught up. Keep up with the readings and make sure you participate in the discussions that are going on in the class. By participating in the discussions, you ensure that you keep up to date with what is going on and it's going to help you remember what is being taught as you actively apply it to different learning environments.

With the amount of work and the different projects that will be going on throughout a semester, it's very important to keep a To Do list and to make sure you keep that list updated. Going along with that, you want to make sure you take the bigger projects that you have through the semester and break them into smaller projects and give yourself deadlines to ensure that you keep on task.

The final and most important points are this; don't over-volunteer. Learn to say no. It may be your first semester back or you may be into the full swing of things but you don't want to overextend yourself in the classroom setting or you are not going to be able to live up to the expectations. You are just going to stress about not be able to get the work done. And finally, (and this works both online and in real life) don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you get all your questions asked so that you are clear on what is expected of you.

I'm now going to turn it over to Lauren and she is going to tell you some of the don'ts of taking online classes.

The Don'ts of Taking Online Classes

Thanks, Steve.

Well, you've heard the things that you should do as part of an online class. Now it is time to hear things you should not do. One of the most important things to remember is that even though you are taking class from the comfort of your own home, you are still in a class. While it is nice that you can take the class in your pajamas, try not to get into the habit of doings things that you would not do if you were in a real classroom.

Do not have the TV on because even if you still may be able to hear the professor and your classmates speaking, you will be distracted.

Do not answer your phone if it rings. If you were sitting in a classroom, you would have your cell phone turned off or set to vibrate. Try to follow that rule while in the online class.

Another thing that can distract you during class is if you try to do things around the house. Keep your attention on the task at hand. Don't leave your computer unless it is absolutely necessary.

Where you take the class also has an affect on how well you are able to focus. Do not try to take the class from the office; there are a million and one distractions that will take your attention away from the class.

Because the class sessions are recorded for us, you can go back if you miss something and get clarification later. However, do not use this as a way to skip class. Never say, "I'll just listen to the recording later." because either you will forget or the weeks will start piling up before you know it. It is also unhelpful to rely on the recording because you won't see what is happening in the text chat and you also won't be able to ask questions if you have any.

Finally, don't blow off the class until the end of the semester. This will be the busiest time of the year and the last thing you need to do is have to make up assignments you missed from two months ago.

The major point here is to treat the online class just as you would treat a class that meets in a classroom.

If you remember to follow the dos and don'ts that we discussed in this podcast, your online class will be just as rewarding, if not more so, than a traditional class.

This podcast was produced by Lauren Farrett and Steve Brink for the E-learning Concepts and Techniques class at Bloomsburg University. We would like to thank our instructor Pam Berman and the rest of the class for their ideas and their help throughout the semester.

The first of the podcasts produced by this class has been posted as a part of the Institute for Interactive Technologies podcast series. It is entitled "eLearners" and was produced by Ann Kieser, Kathy Kollar, and Julie Schmidt. More podcasts will be posted in the future.