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Can Elearning Solutions Be Applied to The Study of Arts and Letters?
What we can learn is limited by the ambit of our experiences and of the media that we are exposed to. Usually, the best media that creates a deep imprint on us is good Literature. However in order to appreciate good literature, we must in turn have already seen what we have read at work in our own lives, even for just a glimmer of this sight is enough and literature will awaken and deepen that glimmer of insight. But if we have not at all seen any part of ourselves or our lives in the text, then the text will never come to life. And this is applicable to teaching as well. What is taught in any humanities classroom, especially if these things have something to do with the profundity of human experience (I am speaking primarily of literature, philosophy, psychology and the arts) but such human profundity of insight can be seen in every humanities subject such as history or sociology. The difference will always be in the slanted use of discourse to achieve whatever power struggle the teachers wish to establish will only translate well if the students have some concrete idea of what is being taught. Otherwise, they will only be able to memorize facts, if they succeed in that at all since the context will always make the facts easier to remember.
The trouble is that elearning solutions cannot help but remove the teacher from the picture. After all, it is the essence of elearning to be fast, easy, and done at one’s own pace. With a full-time teacher, the pace will have to be managed and if the teacher is any good, he or she will continually challenge the students’ thinking.
Perhaps elearning can be used as say a primer for reading support and assessment. But without the full insight of a responding human person, there can be no recitation or no reaction paper written in an elearning class for the arts and letters. The practical applications of quick and accessible training are just incompatible with the image of the Arts and it will probably always be that way until the end of time.
With the humanities, the teacher must always be present. The equation is simple, take away the human, then there is no humanities left at all. Of course courses such as literature can still be taught by computers, but the student will not be able to feel feedback from his or her insights. After all, the essay and reaction, analysis reports are essential to these subjects. And no computer built today is yet able to even process such things. Elearning solutions will always be effective in the corporate arena. It should also be used in the sciences and in math primarily. And finally, it can only act as supplementary or support to the subjects of Humanities.
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Visualizing is the Key!
– Are you the type of learner who enjoys learning a new system application with a brightly colored user guide with screenshots, callouts and arrows?
– Do you have to have a live person guide you through the process step-by-step in the classroom environment?
– Or maybe you like self-paced learning and enjoy going through interactive tutorials online with audio and animation?
Pictures, color, and graphics are definitely more captivating then black and white text, but are you retaining more information. Statistics show that this is actually true. Dr. Ruth Clark actually believes that a balance of white space and graphics/images on the page significantly improve learner retention rates.
If you are implementing a new training plan for your organization be sure to find out how your users/clients or employees learn best. Call in a professional, such as Graphik Connexions, for a needs analysis before you throw away those hard earned Training and Development dollars. E-Learning may be the way to go or perhaps a simple job aide is all you need.
Let’s talk about “What is E-Learning?” E-Learning is learning that can take place anytime and anywhere, whether the delivery is online or offline, the WWW, CD or DVD. Some of terms you may be familiar with are CBT and WBT, computer-based training and web-based training respectively. E-Learning allows your users to learn at their own pace, no pressure or time restraints, no time away from their daily job tasks, and no costly travel expenses.
Users can stop, pause, rewind, fast forward and much more in CBT. WBT allows the user to have a “live” instructor guide them through the process as well as allowing them to demonstrate the skills they just learned in various exercises. Some of the platforms used for WBT are WebEx and Breeze.
You can check out how to “measure learning” and how to decrease your ROI in Training and Development dollars in the ELearning Corner of our site at www.graphikconnexions.com. Come visit and pick the Training Solution that is just right for you! 
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Mlearning: Digital Learning in your Pocket
For instance, mLearning benefits users in various ways. “I am studying a foreign language so to practice listening, I call up a phone number that simulates various dialogues with me…such as, buying a bus ticket…, says a user. “Now that’s something else! It gives me feedback on my understanding or even on my pronunciation instantaneously!.” The vast possibilities fostered by these devices extend from sharing pictures or documents to collaborative game playing, reading and writing.
Mobile Learning in Your World Today
The contemporary scenario of mobile learning is heading down an interesting path following the rapid advancements in technology. These advancements are becoming the norm as quality and capability are constantly increasing while costs continue to drop. On the other hand, even after continuous advancement in technology the are still limitations when it comes to mLearning which the industry must overcome. However, this issue is being combated systematically. Currently, few of these devices are ubiquitously connected, the screens are small, the processing is slow, and the storage capacities are limited.
The concept of eLearning is a combination of relevant content with engaging graphics, animation etc that covers both the conceptual material as well as illustrations. In addition, it also includes vital interactive practice activities, which allows the user to participate and provide personalized feedback. Following the ideology of eLearning, conscious efforts should be made to ensure all learning applications integrate or interface with a Learning Management System (LMS). This is essential in order to track performances and update records as well as enable certification. When tracking learning, it is imperative for outcomes to be stored systematically and reported back. This information is crucial in order to meet learner needs, to be able to reward outcomes, and to manage corporate knowledge. Usually, based on user action, the learner platform can communicate the outcome to the management system. However, this solution does not work with intermittent connectivity. These same mechanisms do not possess the ability to save or maintain outcomes until connectivity is restored.
Another major issue that must be overcome is successfully facilitating managed learning through an intermittent connection. Ideally most providers would prefer that individuals take responsibility personally for their own learning, but many constraints suggest that there are benefits from having systems track and manage learning. Cross-platform solutions are another issue, meaning enabling all learners to have access to all materials independent of particular system preferences.
Ongoing research focused on improving the capabilities of standard web mechanisms and mobile device connectivity and capability will soon eliminate the distinction between mLearning and eLearning. With seamless wireless networking, high-powered supercomputers, high resolution flexible full color screens (or integrated into our visual field through special glasses), and flexible input from pen to keyboard, the distinction between desktop and mobile will disappear.
mLearning is the perfect delivery tool for JIT (just in time) teaching. Imagine having content, reminders, assignments, updates and discussion questions sent directly to your portable device. Like the AOL announcement “you have mail” soon, you will soon hear devices echoing, with “You have an assignment”!
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