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Jai Jawan, Jai Kissan, Jai Vigyan, Jai BigGyan!!!
This simple slogan captures the history of India after independence as succinctly as possible. It is about growth, it is about revolutionizing various sectors of governance one by one. The current government has selected education as its primary focus. It is a great endeavor and probably will have huge implications for education sector specifically and future generations generally. It is a daunting task with myriad of government institutions controlling the education sector, it is going to be a tough job to synchronize and harmonize the education sector to achieve the single goal – minimize vanilla courses and increase the quality of people coming out of education institutes. The answer may lie in using internet to achieve this goal. Internet is not just technology, it is a great tool to achieve accountability, efficiency and scale in any initiative – commercial or otherwise. Internet has revolutionized various sectors of economy. No matter what business one is in, internet is making everybody change. Everything is going online.
We at BigGyan believe that eLearning (education enhanced using power of internet) has in its power to help achieve this goal. Our mission is to reboot education. eLearning helps improve the education delivery to students, manage the administrative tasks and in general to bring an overall accountability and professionalism into the system. Using eLearning the whole education system can be synchronized, harmonized and rebooted.
I think it is time to extend the slogan further Jai Jawan, Jai Kissan, Jai Vyapaar, Jai Vigyan, Jai BigGyan!!!
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eLearning – An idea whose time has come (BigGyan Cloud eLearning)
Every age has a rage, for this age it is Internet. No matter what business you are in, internet is making everybody change. The bottom line is either you change with it and use it to your benefit or you will be eliminated from the business. As with any major technology, Internet has some issues too. Bernard Howe shows pros and cons of internet beautifully in his poem titled (no surprises here) – “The Internet”.
The internet is, a fountain of information.
its available to everyone, in every nation.
Pages for children to read and enjoy
along with the spam which can really annoy.
Poetry and forums for everyone’s pleasure
just about anything, even selling your treasure.
Its even used everyday in our schools
it has lots of help and good learning tools.
Ethics are used by those who do care
and often free help with things we do share.
Friendships has spread all over the earth
I even made a friend who lives way down in Perth.
I enjoy it so much, I think I’m addicted
I think I was warned, as this was predicted.
In India and other countries, various sectors of economy like banking, telecom and large part of services industry as a whole have taken internet very seriously and reaped incredible benefits. We have learnt to do lot of things in our own life online – Communication and relationship (emails, social networks), Internet Banking, Online trading (shares, funds, investments) and so on. Nevertheless, how many of you have taken some form of education that incorporates use of internet. Probably very few. It is because somehow, the education sector as a whole did not took up internet as fast as other services. It is shocking at first because a large percentage of people in this sector are computer literate and use emails, social networks daily. Somehow, they are not using the internet when it comes to their work.
We at BigGyan researched for over 6 months to know the reasons for this. The result was shocking – unlike emails and social networking, there was no complete solution in the market for education sector. So the problem was not at the end of school administrators and teachers but at the end of solution providers! The software providers were providing the software but expected institutes to setup their own server or buy space on some host server to host the software, then install the software on the server, manage the software and then do time-consuming data entry before the solution was ready to be used. In short, eLearning solutions were in Stone Age when scaled on internet timescale. Let me give you an analogy using email to give a feel of the problem – It was like asking someone who wanted a simple email address to first buy space on a server, install and manage the email software before using the email. We all know we do not need to do any of this. Hotmail and then others made email so easy that anyone could use it.
Therefore, the goal we set for us was to make eLearning as simple as email.
We identified 8 reasons (blockers) that act as barriers for an institute from using eLearning in spite of knowing its benefits. We worked on our solution “BigGyan” for over 2 years to solve all the 8 problems. The result is simply unbelievable. We surpassed our own expectations, we have made eLearning so easy that even your mom (with due respect) can use it. Literally.
Here are the 8 blockers we identified and BigGyan solution for each of them.
Why you don’t want an eLearning solution?
BLOCKER 1
eLearning is a costly option. In general, this is true. Setting up an eLearning platform is a cost intensive task. eLearning platforms come at a huge cost, not to mention cost of maintaining software, upgrading software and setting up computer networks. For example – A typical installation of blackboard (an eLearning platform) will cost in the range of $200,000 plus yearly costs for upgrades.
BigGyan solution
BigGyan is the totally free. It is a feature rich eLearning platform with an elegant UI and a robust backend to provide a remarkable experience to the user. It leads to low cost of entry, lower total cost of ownership (TCO), elimination of capital expenditures and dramatic reduction in IT spending.
So now, the big question is how we do it. We have a unique way to provide the platform to institutes that reduces our costs dramatically to enable us to provide it for free. We make money on support services though.
BLOCKER 2
eLearning requires educational institutes to set up and manage computer network and software.
BigGyan solution
Managing software and computer networks is not a core task of educational institutes. Educational staff has more important tasks than to handle complexities of technology. We provide our eLearning platform based on SaaS (Software as a service). Users of the platform just need to log into our website and straight away start using the platform. We host the software on our website for you.
We strongly believe that it is right of a user to be a user. User needs to just use the platform; we manage the security issues, upgrade issues, daily backups. Basically, we are gmail of eLearning.
BLOCKER 3
Requires lot of training for admin staff, teachers and students
BigGyan solution
Our eLearning platform includes visual tools to create your lesson structure and add content, powerful online-test builders, communication tools (chat, forum and personal messages), content scheduling, activity tracking, announcements, content flows, cooperative content building, lesson rules, vertical views of the lesson and many more. No technical knowledge is necessary to create content or use it as a student, all tasks are performed with visual tools and editors. We provide with detailed training modules to use these visual tools.
BLOCKER 4
Is it really going to help students?
BigGyan solution
BigGyan brings in amazing addition to user/student experience. Some of the advantages are:
• Enhancing student-to-student and faculty-to-student communication – Making students feel safe that they have support whenever required.
• Enabling student-centered teaching approaches.
• Providing 24X7 accessibility to course material.
• Providing just-in-time methods to assess and evaluate student progress.
The integration of web-based learning with classroom teaching adds value to traditional education. Students and faculty benefit from using the communication and assessment tools. Continual access to resources through online delivery and automated management tools minimizes the faculty’s cost and time associated with the experience. The advantages of eLearning make a significant impact in higher education today. As technology evolves, we are planning to deliver even greater benefits in the future. Currently, we working on providing mLearning (making BigGyan accessible on mobile), Facebook app, Orkut app and iPhone app.
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Human Capital Investment
Investing in your people today for a competitive advantage tomorrow, what to consider for online learning
By Tony Payne CMA MBAe
The current economic landscape is on unstable ground and the future is getting more difficult to predict. Many time-honored approaches to sustainable growth are beginning to seem outdated and irrelevant. As companies adjust their operations to better navigate the current economic turmoil, they often lose sight of core competencies critical to long term effectiveness, such as succession planning, leadership development, and improved training regimes. Ultimately, companies that continue to invest in human capital during times of crisis ensure future prosperity. They emerge with improved production capacities which allow them to handle new market demands more effectively than their battle-worn competitors.
The million dollar question company executives ask is, “how do we invest in the future while minimizing expenses?” Many organizations turn to eLearning and the use of a Learning Management System for solutions.
E-Learning
Best described as web-based education, eLearning is quickly becoming a viable alternative to classroom-style instruction due to its high learner retention and cost-effectiveness. In fact, a report of online education conducted by SRI International for the Department of Education concluded that on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. (Means, B., & Toyama, Y., & Murphy, R., & Bakia, M., & Jones, K)
Learning Management System (LMS)
A LMS is a software application that automates the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of training events. Learning Management Systems are usually web-based to facilitate access to learning content and administration. They range in sophistication from basic employee training record management to advanced functionality including certification, career path planning, and online customized training presented with a combination of video and motion graphics.
Why implement an LMS?
In the report Digital Media and Learning as an Emerging Area and “Worked Examples” as One Way Forward, James Paul Gee presents a solid case for the future of E-Learning and LMSs and how they can be used to revolutionize training. Three main criteria used in the marketing —speed, cost, and effectiveness can be used in the learning industry. (Gee, J. P.)
Speed
- Provides the ability to train thousands of employees at geographically dispersed locations in a short period of time.
- Provides access to real-time reporting on courses taken and test results which can be a requirement for compliance reasons.
- Provides the ability to dictate the pace at which employees complete courses.
Cost
- Repeatable nature of E-Learning provides economies of scale: the more employees you train the lower the per-learner cost.
- Eliminates requirement to hire instructors and pay fees and accommodations every time a course needs to be delivered.
Effectiveness
- New approach is well aligned with technological inclinations of new generations entering the workforce.
- Combining video and motion and text and voice strengthens the number of learning touch points and the way people learn.
Selecting an LMS
Many factors must be considered to select the right LMS for your company. Starting with a solid understanding of your organizations training needs is important. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What are the core competencies your staff must develop?
- What training requirements can be met with E-Learning and an effective LMS?
- What are the current strengths and weaknesses of your current training regime?
- What is your current training budget?
- Which expenses could be eliminated with an E-Learning approach?
Once all factors have been taken into account, it is time to look for an LMS that best fits your training needs. It is important to investigate at the company offering the LMS as well as the benefits offered by the LMS itself. Following is a list of questions to assist in the selection of the right LMS for your training needs.
The Company Offering the LMS
- Are E-Learning and LMSs the company’s main focus?
- Who are their existing clients and what are they saying about their service?
Courses Development and availability
- What courses do they have available?
- Do they develop custom courses, and if so, can they provide course hosting options?
Testing
- Does the LMS provide the ability to test learners on the course material?
- Can you set a passing grade and allow employees to retake tests?
Reporting
- Does the LMS contain a dashboard to access real-time reports?
- For growing companies, can reporting be broken down by city, location, person, and course?
- Does reporting meet requirements of any compliance regime mandated by government regulation?
- Does the LMS solicit feedback from users on course material and LMS usability?
Administration
- Does the system allow multiple user levels with customized privileges?
- Can administrators add new users and change user privileges or does this need to go through the provider?
- Can administrators change the availability of courses by user or user level?
- Can the system generate email notifications for each course completion?
- Can the system generate personalized Certificates of Completion for users who pass the course?
Cost
- What is the cost structure of the LMS – do they charge course completion fees, monthly user fees, hosting fees, or flat rate fees?
As E-Learning and LMSs are relatively new, finding an all-in-one, off-the-shelf LMS can be difficult. Only a few online training systems are fully integrated with reporting technology, rapid delivery systems, and survey technology. BIS trainer and InsightU, based in Canada, Net G, based in the US, and Cornerstone, located throughout the world offer such systems. Each provider’s offering has a variety of strengths and limitations. In terms of flexibility, functionality and user-friendliness, BIS Trainer offers the most value. They also develop dynamic courses based on their clients’ needs in multiple languages. InsightU offers a more limited version of a similar online training system with the ability to develop basic courses. Net G has a host of less dynamic and more academic online training material. Cornerstone offers an online training system that can be integrated with other payroll systems such as Ceridian.
Educational institutions are starting to invest heavily into online learning, governments are rapidly expanding the offering of online learning for their employees, and businesses are starting to rapidly move their current training library into the digital world of online training. Therefore, a large number of E-Training companies will emerge in the coming years, using anything from Codebaby to Moodle to deliver information. The company that has the best material and digital media and the most seamless, integrated system will lead the online revolution. The challenge for large organizations will be navigating through the various online-companies to find the one that delivers custom digital media courses that focus on the retention of information and comprehension of the material. The world of online learning is quickly moving from the early adaptors phase to the mainstream, and the time to begin investigating how E-Training and LMS can help your organization meet training and development needs is now.
Tony Payne is the SVP for Information Technology for a National Engineering and Geomatics corporation in Alberta Canada
Source:
- Means, B., & Toyama, Y., & Murphy, R., & Bakia, M., & Jones, K. (2009). Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta- Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies. U.S. Department of Education Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development Policy and Program Studies Service. Retrieved September 17, 2009 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf
Source: Gee, J. P. (2010). Digital Media and Learning as an Emerging Area and “Worked Examples” as One Way Forward. USA: MIT Press.
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