E-Learning

IS406 E-Business
Contents
• Definitions and Concepts
• The drivers of e-learning
• Benefits of E-Learning
• Drawbacks and Challenges of E-Learning
• Distance Learning and Online Universities
• Social Networks and E-Learning
• Visual Interactive Simulation
• E-Learning Management Systems
• Electronic Books (E-Books)
- Advantages of E-Books
-Limitations of E-Books
• An Overview of Knowledge Management
-Knowledge Management Types and Activities
-The knowledge management system cycle

IS406 2
Definitions and Concepts

• E-learning is the use of online delivery of educational materials and methods using information
technologies, for the purposes of learning, teaching, training, or gaining knowledge at any time, and at many
different locations
• E-learning is also broader than the term online learning, which generally refers exclusively to Web-based
learning. E-learning includes m-learning (or mobile learning) that is used when the material is delivered
wirelessly to smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices.
• E-learning includes a variety of methods of computer- facilitated learning ranging from self study with DVDs
to online degrees offered by universities.
• E-learning may also include the use of Web-based teaching materials, multimedia CD-ROMs, learning and
teaching portals, discussion boards, collaborative software, e-mail, learning management software, and
more.

IS406 3
The drivers and forces of e-learning that are driving the transition from traditional education to online learning

IS406 4
Benefits of E-Learning

• Education. Students can learn at home and keep their regular jobs while in school.
• Learning and training time reduction. E-learning can expedite training time by up to 50%.
• Cost reduction. The cost of providing a learning experience can be reduced by 50 to 70% when classroom
lectures are replaced by e-learning sessions. This includes reduced faculty cost, no classrooms, less or no
travel time.
• Large number and diversity of learners. E-learning can provide training to a large number of people from
diverse cultural backgrounds and educational levels, even though they are at different locations in different
time zones.
• Innovative teaching. Ability to provide innovative teaching methods such as special engagements,
interaction with experts, interaction with learners in other countries, and so forth.
• Richness and quality. E-learning enables the use of top instructors as well as employing rich multimedia
support.
• Flexibility. E-learners are able to adjust the time, location, content, and speed of learning according to their
own personal schedules.

IS406 5
CONT.
• Updated and consistent teaching material. e-learning can offer real time access to the most updated
knowledge. Delivery of e-learning may be more consistent than that of material presented in traditional
classroom learning, because variations among teachers and teaching materials are minimized.
• Ability to learn from mobile devices. This helps learning in any place and at any time as well as providing
support to learners by teachers and peers.
• Expert knowledge. e-learning may include the knowledge of several experts, each of whom prepares a
teaching module in his or her area of expertise.
• Fear-free environment. E-learning can facilitate learning for students who may not wish to join a face-to-
face group discussion to interact with peers or teachers.

IS406 6
Drawbacks and Challenges of E-Learning

• Need for instructor retraining. Some instructors do not have the knowledge to teach by electronic means
and may require training, which costs money.
• Equipment needs and support services. Additional funds are needed (by the teaching institute) to purchase
e-learning systems that supplement traditional ones. These are needed for e-learning creation, use, and
maintenance.
• Lack of face-to-face interaction and campus life style.
• Maintenance and updating. Although e-learning materials are easier to update than traditionally published
materials, there are practical difficulties (e.g., cost, instructors’ time) in keeping e-learning materials current.
• Protection of intellectual property. It is difficult and expensive to control the transmission of copyrighted
works downloaded from the e-learning platform.
• Student retention. Without some human feedback and intervention, it may be difficult to keep certain
students engaged.

IS406 7
Distance Learning and Online Universities

• The term distance learning, also known as distance education, refers to education conducted from home or
other place, anytime.
• In such a case, the student is separated from a classroom by distance and possibly time. Sometimes students
meet once or twice at a physical location in order to get to know each other, meet the instructor or
coordinator, or take examinations.
• The concept of virtual universities, online universities where students take classes from home via the
Internet, is expanding rapidly.

IS406 8
Social Networks and E-Learning
• A new term, social learning, also known as e-learning 2.0, has been coined to describe the learning, training,
and knowledge sharing in social networks and/or facilitated with social software tools
• Social environments facilitate high-tech based training, making it possible for learners to share their
experiences with others. Thus, several companies already are using social networking for training and
development purposes
• Some students use Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and so forth to connect with each other . For
example, learners can study together, discuss topics or brainstorm online.
• Some companies use social media to engage employees in group learning via knowledge sharing
• Many universities combine e-learning and social networking; also, numerous professors have blogs and wikis
for their classes and encourage communication and collaboration via Facebook.

IS406 9
Visual Interactive Simulation

• An effective technology for e-training and e-learning is visual interactive simulation (VIS), which uses
computer graphic displays to present the impact of evaluating alternative solutions to problems.
• It differs from regular graphics in that the user can manipulate the decision-making process and see the
results of the interventions.
• VIS systems provide the following major potential benefits:
1. Shorten learning time.
2. Aid in teaching how to operate complex equipment.
3. Enable self-paced learning, any place, any time.
4. Aid in memorization.
5. Lower overall training costs.
6. Record an individual’s learning progress and improve on it.

IS406 10
E-Learning Management Systems

• A learning management system (LMS) (also known as a course management system) consists of software
applications for managing e-training and e-learning programs including content, scheduling, delivery tips, and so
forth.
• One of the most effective tools for learning management is Blackboard
• Blackboard Inc. (blackboard.com) is the world’s largest supplier of course management system software for
educational institutions.
• An alternative to Blackboard is a mostly free open source system called Moodle
• LMS should be able to:
1. Provide effective student-instructor interactions.
2. Enable the use of self-service and self guided e-learning services.
3. Create and rapidly deliver learning content modules.
4. Provide a single point of access to all e-learning online materials.
5. Increase the efficiency and effectiveness of e-learning.
6. Personalize content and enable knowledge reuse.

IS406 11
Electronic Books (E-Books)

• An electronic book (e-book) is a book in digital format that can be read on a computer screen, mobile device
(e.g., a tablet, iPhone), or on a dedicated device known as an e-reader.
• There are several types of e-books that can be delivered and read in various ways:
1. Via a dedicated reader. The book must be downloaded to an e-reader such as Amazon’s Kindle.
2. Via Web access. Readers can locate a book on the publisher’s website and read it there. The book cannot
be downloaded.
3. Via Web download and smart phones. Readers can download the book to a PC.
4. Via a general-purpose reader. The book can be downloaded to a mobile device such as an iPad or iPhone.
5. Via a Web server. The contents of a book are stored on a Web server and downloaded for print-on-demand

IS406 12
Advantages of E-Books
• Ability to store hundreds of books on a small mobile device
• Lower cost to buyers.
• Searchable text—you can show links and connect easily to the Web.
• Instant delivery via downloads from anywhere. The tablet-based models provide you with many of the capabilities of
other types of mobile computers.
• Portability—they go where you go.
• Easy integration of content from several sources.
• Durability—they are built stronger than a traditional book (but they can break if you are not careful). Also, readers tend
not to lose them (again, you need to be careful).
• Ability to enlarge the font size for easy reading and to add light if needed.
• Media rich (audio, color, video, etc.).
• Minimal cost for printing out a hard copy.
• Good readability in bright sunlight (able to read books outdoors).
• Easy updating of content.
• Almost no wear and tear.
• Easy to find out-of-print books. IS406 13
Limitations of E-Books

• They require hardware and software that may be too expensive for some readers;
• some people have difficulty reading large amounts of material on a relatively small computer screen;
• Batteries may run out;
• and there are multiple, competing software and hardware standards to choose from, confusing the buyers.

IS406 14
An Overview of Knowledge Management
• Knowledge management and e-learning are both centered on knowledge. Whereas e-learning uses
knowledge to enhance individual learning, knowledge management is essential for improving the operation
of individuals’ organizations, or teams.
• Knowledge is one of the most important assets in any organization, and thus it is important to capture, store,
secure, and reuse (share) it.
• knowledge management (KM) refers to the process of capturing or creating knowledge, storing and
protecting it, updating it constantly, disseminating it, and using it whenever necessary
• Knowledge in organizations is collected from both external and internal sources. It is then examined,
interpreted, refined, and stored in what is called an organizational knowledge base, the repository for the
enterprise’s knowledge.
• A major purpose of an organizational knowledge base is to allow for knowledge sharing.

IS406 15
Knowledge Management Types and Activities

• Organizational knowledge is embedded in the following key resources:

(1) human capital, which includes employee knowledge, competencies, intelligence, and creativity;
(2) organizational capital, which includes stored organizational experiences (e.g., best practices, patents,
manuals, teaching materials);
(3) customer and partner capital, which includes the experience of working with customers and business
partners.

IS406 16
CONT.
• KM has the following major tasks:
1. Create knowledge. Knowledge is created as people gain more experience (e.g., trial-and- error) and
education. Sometimes, external knowledge is brought in (e.g., provided by vendors and consultants).
2. Capture knowledge. Existing knowledge must be identified and assembled.
3. Refine knowledge. New knowledge must be placed in context so that it is actionable.
4. Store knowledge. Useful knowledge must be stored into an easily retrievable format in a secured
knowledge repository.
5. Update knowledge. The knowledge must be kept current. It must be reviewed to verify that it is relevant
and accurate; if not, it must be updated.
6. Disseminate knowledge. Knowledge must be made available in a useful format to anyone in the
organization who needs it, and who is authorized to access it.
These tasks can be viewed as a cyclical process, as shown in the next Figure

IS406 17
The knowledge management system cycle

IS406 18