Archive for November, 2009

Is Traditional Education Better Than Technology-Based Education?

November 30th, 2009



This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding education. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about education.

On-line education is in trend nowadays. In the future, students may have the opportunity to study at home with computers rather than go to traditional schools like what we are used to doing. And in some cases online education is the only way available.

The most common on-line form of education today is English tutorials. As of now, students and tutors use IM (instant messaging), headset and web camera as the path of communication and of education. Is this the better option?

People must prefer the traditional way because in a classroom setting, students can learn and socialize with their peers. Also, from the instructor, he or she can teach students many valuable lessons of life which cannot be learned through technology. It is like the question of doing research through the library or the internet. Both have advantages and disadvantages but traditional education has the numerous advantages over on-line education.

It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of education is no exception. There are always fresh and new ideas about education.

Students learn better socially and academically in a classroom. Students are mostly young-aged. Therefore, they are generally interested in meeting and being with their peers. As they interact, it makes it easier for them to pay focus and learn. As social creatures, one could not just stay secluded and educate his own self. That is impossible! We live, grow, learn and succeed with people along the way.

Besides lecture materials, a classroom instructor teaches many other important life lessons. Students can learn and develop punctuality and good study habits. A teacher serves as a guide through education process which is a big part of life. Another important mission is to direct youth out of trouble. There is this bond between the instructor and the students which could not be built on-line. As the source of education, a teacher is not around just to introduce books and exams but also, he or she is selfless enough to share the lessons life taught her or him.

We must prefer to study at traditional schools and let us send our children there. It is because being around other people of our age or different ages gives us the opportunity to socialize and learn not only from the internet or books but from the society and from life. We could also learn other things which are important to education such as study skills. On-line education or any form of technology-based education is convenient. However, let us not risk quality. Long-term goals must always be prioritized.

And of course the other thing would be peer pressure and the competitive spirit of being the best in the classroom. A little competition is always good.

No matter how advanced technology would be- there will always be these things that would stay best if they would be maintained as is. One of these things is education.

Is there really any information about education that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

I hope that reading the above information was both enjoyable and educational for you. The bottom line remains the same. I still believe that in my honest opinion, traditional education is the best, and always will be. But the most important thing is to get more education, any way that you can. Your learning process should be ongoing–the more you understand about any subject, the more you will be able to share with others. Your life will improve for you and your loved ones.

By: Bob Willoughby

How to Choose Attractive and Customizable LMS Software For Online Education

November 29th, 2009



LMS software should be simple to use. That said, it shouldn’t force course creators to simply pour two-dimensional learning content into a cookie-cut, prepackaged design. LMS tools are now providing greater opportunities for control and customization of course content.

Aesthetics count. According to a study by the University of British Columbia, which rated 127 online courses according to 43 criteria, how an online course looks can be just as important as the quality of the lessons themselves.

One exciting new tool for an attractive and effective online course creation is screen recording. Record the activity on your own computer screen to upload to your course. Everything you see and hear on your PC screen can be included in your elearning course.

The concept is simple. A screen recording program allows you to record everything you see on your PC screen, whether it be a video, game, web page, or simulation. It also records your commentary, PC sounds and webcam as picture-in-picture video to give your course content a personal touch. 

Provide your own demos, training CDs, and visual tutorials to students. Using screen recordings, users are able to transform course content into a richer, more dynamic experience and give their course a more professional touch. 
Why rely on stock simulations or outdated company demos? Screen recording gives you total control over what students view. You yourself create, edit and apply it to your e-learning course.

Some screen recording programs integrate with LMS software to make life easier for course creators. Why not make a personal appearance in your own course? Webcam recording features allow creators to create their own webcam video.

Another neat feature is sound recording. This allows users to read a commentary at the same time as the screen is being recorded, using a simple microphone or mic headset. Using screen recording programs you may be able to save videos in all major video formats, like Flash, Quicktime and Windows Media Video. You can easily add text, sound, images, and ‘zoom & pan’ effects. Also, you are able to edit multi track audio and video, side by side. 

In summary, a critical factor in choosing LMS software is not only its general format and style, but the amount of control it allows you as the designer. Though having the prepackaged, text and image-only option is important for some people, a little power over the layout is key to creating a unique and attractive online course design.

By: Robin L. Green

Why is Education Important?

November 28th, 2009



Education is important. It is necessary to learn new things, such as the latest trends or some of the things from way back thousands of years ago. One of the best parts of education is that you will learn the basic things on how to handle situations such as family problems, how to answer your assignments and how to face some of your fears. This is real life and it is not like an anime movie or a cartoon. We must face all the challenges just to get the best education we want. Let’s face all our fears.

It has been established that education is to provide training and informative education especially to young children… In general, elementary education consists of six to seven years of schooling. It is necessary to undergo an elementary education, because this is the right time to improve learning and we all know that most children are not so open minded when it comes to this. It is also necessary to provide a good school and a great location for studies. It is not necessary to choose whether it is a private or public school. The most important factors for education are great location, great teachers and a nice school. Maybe children, at their age, they think that it is time for them to play, and not a time for learning. There is a right time for education, we just have to let the children know how important education will be in there lives.

Let’s start the year with a great education.

By: Baby Jane Lacaba