Online Learning

Article Summary

The article, (e-learning, online learning, and distant learning environments: Are they the same?), undertakes a study into the different types of learning environments over the internet, commonly referred to as online learning. The article identifies three types of internet learning. These include, e-learning, online learning and distance learning. The article succeeds in disambiguating the terms that in several occasions have been used interchangeably. The article reveals the inherent differences in these types of learning. The article also attempts to bring out the similarities in these learning environments. Online learning has been used synonymously with internet learning as a general term referring to learning environments based over the internet.

Distance learning has been considered as learning environment utilized for a long time. Distance learning involved delivery of instructional material to the learner wherever they were in the world. The advent of computers and the internet allowed learners to receive their instructional documents through e-mails and internet databases. The instructor was usually at a different location from the learner. The article suggests that the origins of e learning are not definite, though it is believed to have emerged at during the same period as online learning. E learning is another type of learning that uses instructional material such as CDs, audio cassettes, video tapes and other electronic media in addition to the internet and intranet. Finally, article suggests that online learning is a pedagogical experience restricted to the internet. However, others believe that it may be an evolution of distance learning. The article tries to distinguish between the three online environments by highlighting the inherent differences and the similarities these educational experiences offer. The similarities are mainly in how the programs, courses and resources are utilized by the institutions. The differences mainly occur in the divergence in the definition of the terms describing these environments.

Educational Implications

Online learning has many underlying implications. The article identifies a plethora of online learning processes. The first being distance learning. Distance learning has been used interchangeably with distance education. Distance learning entails the learner receiving instruction and learning resources from the instructor from a distant location. The advent of the internet has revolutionized how this practice is carried out ensuring that the internet supplements the instructional documents an instructor issues. In the past, it was possible for learners to go through a course without ever meeting the teacher. The internet provides a face-to-face interaction with the learner making learning more engaging and productive. Distance learning today utilizes current trends and emerging technologies like the internet to produce a holistic learning experience. However, distant learning and distant education may have different meanings depending on how one looks at it. Distance learning can be seen as the ability while distance education is an activity inside the learning ability (Moore, Dickson-Deane & Galyen, 2011).

The other type of learning is the e learning. E learning uses other electronic media other than the internet to affect the learning process. The learner is able to obtain other resources such as CDs, video tapes, audio cassettes and other relevant media to complement the material instructors offer over the internet (Moore, Dickson-Deane & Galyen, 2011). The definition of e learning has at times been seen as being vague. Online learning on the other hand is learning that is restricted to the internet. This implies that whatever resources a learner needs are available over the internet. This includes, class, tests, assignments and other related learning activities. Online learning environment has been thought of as a more recent type of distance learning. One thing is clear among these modes of learning. They all rely on digital equipment to affect positive and effective learning. Common to the digital resources is the computer and the use of the internet or an institutional intranet to facilitate the learning process.

One important fact is the delivery of the content of the online courses identified in the online learning environments. The pedagogical process is heavily facilitated by the internet. The process can be led by the instructor, or can be self directed or paced depending on the learner learning ability (Moore, Dickson-Deane & Galyen, 2011). In an instructor led course, the aim is to make the learner experience learning similar to that of the university. The course progresses at the comfort of the instructor in both term of pace and sequencing. On the other hand, self-directed and self-paced approaches are all dependent on the learner to determine the sequence and the speed with which he or she is comfortable. The instructor-based is the most common type of online programs offered.

Analysis and Personal Reflection

The learning experience in these learning environments is more or less similar. The most important aspect of these learning processes is the obvious use of electronic devices in learning. Online learning has been described as a later version of distance learning. The similarity arises from the fact that that the proximity between the learner and the teacher has been bridged by the internet. The notion of sending print learning materials to the learner at a distant location has also been eliminated by the internet such that required learning material can easily be located in on the internet. This can be through email, video conferencing or utilizing the institutions website to facilitate learning. E learning has been thought of as a learning environment using other technological media to achieve a learning process. The resources used in e learning can be accessed over the internet. It is therefore clear that the difference in online learning environments lies in the definitive terms and not in application.

Reference

Moore, J. L., Dickson-Deane, C., & Galyen, K. (2011). e-Learning, online learning, and distance learning environments: Are they the same?. Internet and Higher Education, 14, 2, 129-135. Retrieved from https://scholar.vt.edu/access/content/group/5deb92b5-10f3-49db-adeb-7294847f1ebc/e-Learning%20Scott%20Midkiff.pdf