Web Search For E Learning Services example essay topic

In today's competitive and fast-paced society both educational institutions and businesses can't afford to waste time or money when it comes targeting the right business solutions. One of the most popular business solutions used today is E-learning. E-learning (electronic learning) is a term that covers a wide set of applications and processes, such as Web-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. It includes the delivery of content via the Internet, intranet / extranet (LAN / WAN), audio and videotape, satellite broadcast, interactive TV, CD-ROM, and more.

This essay will cover some of the many terms associated with E-learning and help to provide a better understanding of what e-learning technologies have to offer. At New York University E-learning is used for the various online (50/50) courses offered. These courses require students to receive fifty percent of their learning via traditional studies (in classroom) and fifty percent via the Web. The BBS (bulletin board system) is utilized, providing an online community run on a host computer where users can dial or log into in order to post messages on public discussion boards. Students can also send and receive e-mail, chat with other users, and upload or download files. BBS's are generally text-based and often related to the specific hobbies or interests of their creators.

Another term that is closely related to BBS is Distance Education / Learning; where the instructor and students are separated by time, location, or both. This is a process where educational training courses are delivered to remote locations via synchronous (real-time learning event in which all participants are logged on at the same time and communicate directly with each other) or asynchronous (interaction between instructors and students occur intermittently with a time delay) means of instruction, including written correspondence, text, graphics, audio and videotape, CD-ROM, online learning, audio and videoconferencing, interactive TV, and Fax. As with BBS, Distance education does not preclude the use of the traditional classroom. E-learning from a business point-of-view is driven by the overall needs of the company (i.e. Employee Development, HR Development, Sales, Customer Relations Management). These are some of the areas that businesses look to improve upon in order to increase productivity and improve on quality and service. Companies that are serious about best-practice learning spend a lot of time analyzing their business needs to ensure the best results.

Specifications for the E-learning process are usually put into place first which entails a plan, instruction, or protocol for E-learning that's established or agreed upon. This term is often used interchangeably with standard, but the two terms are not truly synonymous. Specifications become standards only after they " ve been approved by an accrediting agency. Once specifications have been establish, business requirements are focused on in order to satisfy the conditions the e-learning solution should meet to align with the needs of such stakeholders as the content developer, subject matter expert, learner, manager, and training administrator. As mentioned before, companies who embrace best-practice learning sometimes elect an executive whose primary responsibility is to ensure strategic human capital development (CLO).

The CLO (Chief Learning Officer) ensures that all learning investments focus on accomplishing the organization's mission, strategy, and goals. He / she provides a single point of accountability for those investments; develops the corporate learning strategy; creates a culture of continuous learning; fosters communities of practice; integrates training functions; drives cultural transformation; and measures the impact on organizational performance. The CLO increasingly reports to either the CEO or senior vice president of HR. He or she is to learning what the CFO and CIO are to finance and information technology. Companies who view learning and / or training at this level sometimes integrate a learning organization known as a Corporate University. Corporate universities are not real universities (i.e. campuses, classrooms, etc. ); these organizations are specifically structured with a governance system that aligns all learning with corporate or agency mission, strategy and goals.

The governance system typically includes a governing board consisting of the CEO and other senior executives (i.e. CLO). CEO's of best-practice learning organizations leverage their corporate university to achieve performance goals, drive cultural transformation, reform and integrate training departments, and establish and sustain competitive advantage through learning. These organizations sometimes utilize E-learning to teach or reinforce soft skills (business skills such as communication and presentation, leadership and management, human resources, sales and marketing, professional development, project and time management, customer service, team building, administration, accounting and finance, purchasing, and personal development), or hard skills (technical skills). Businesses utilize E-learning in many ways and with collaborative technology the learning is so much easier. Collaborative technology is software, platforms or services that enable people at different locations to communicate and work with each other in a secure, self-contained environment.

These may include capabilities for document management, application sharing, presentation development and delivery. Other forms of collaborative technology like simulations (highly interactive applications that allow the learner to model or role-play in a scenario) or white boarding (an electronic version of a dry-ease board that enables learners in a virtual classroom to view what an instructor writes or draws) are for businesses quite frequently as well as audio conferencing (voice-only connection of more than two sites using standard telephone lines.) and teleconferencing (two-way electronic communication between two or more groups in separate locations via audio, video and / or computer systems.) However, the most two of the most popular forms E-learning used by businesses today are web conferencing (a meeting of participants from disparate geographic locations that's held in a virtual environment on the World Wide Web, with communication taking place via text, audio, video, or a combination of those methods.) and webinars (a small synchronous online learning event in which a presenter and audience members communicate via text chat or audio about concepts often illustrated via online slides and / or an electronic whiteboard - webinars are often archived as well for asynchronous, on-demand access). Both technologies provide great flexibility and accessibility. Overall, E-learning technologies can create great value for businesses. Some of E-learning's value-added services include: custom training needs assessment and skill-gap analysis, curriculum design and development, pre-and post training mentoring and support, training effectiveness analysis, reporting and tracking tools, advisor services and implementation consulting, hosting and management of Internet or intranet-based learning systems, integration of enterprise training delivery systems, and other services.

Although E-learning has become quite popular over the past few years - it's not for everyone. If you or your company is interested in E-learning - here are some ways to get started: do a web search for e-learning services, ask a friend or colleague or contact your local telephone service provider. Good luck on your way to E-learning!