The future of E-learning is very bright, indeed. This concept has been expanding at a very rapid rate as more and more uses for the computer in education have been discovered and attempted. On the traditional college campus, there is a trend toward the development of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE concept integrates the full range of electronic enhancements into the classroom setting. Under the VLE idea, the instructor is not replaced by the computer but rather uses the computer to reach more students and to reach them more effectively.
Distance education is becoming more popular as more and more households obtain personal computers. Many schools have developed the idea of the virtual classroom to a high degree. One instructor located at a central location and using video equipment can teach simultaneous classes in several satellite locations. There is no limit to the distance these satellite locations can be from the instructor. Computer based training can be done in much the same way. Such things as emails and chat rooms are being used as part of the E-learning arsenal.
Distance education is becoming more popular as more and more households obtain personal computers. Many schools have developed the idea of the virtual classroom to a high degree. One instructor located at a central location and using video equipment can teach simultaneous classes in several satellite locations. There is no limit to the distance these satellite locations can be from the instructor. Computer based training can be done in much the same way. Such things as emails and chat rooms are being used as part of the E-learning arsenal.
One major trend in Elearning is the spread of distance education from traditional subjects to all areas of knowledge. Trade and vocational schools are entering into the E-learning field. Such things as .net training videos have allowed the computer to be used for teaching any subject that can be imagined. Do it yourself manuals have entered the computer age. Informational websites can conduct practical training in any subject using videos that are accessible on the website to illustrate proper techniques. This trend has spread to include everything from dog training to basket weaving.
The past decade has been a time of rapid change as E-learning has replaced traditional learning methods. It can be expected that we have not peaked out and the future is going to bring innovations that can hardly be anticipated. The internet access of cell phones, and the wide spread use of palm pilots and lap top computers is opening new opportunities for education and learning.
By: Natalie Aranda
Posts Tagged ‘Virtual Classroom’
Future Trends of E-learning
March 6th, 2010St Louis Schools and Virtual Education
November 7th, 2009
St. Louis Schools are bravely going where no man, or school, has gone before. They’re going virtual. Simply put, they’re offering more classes online for children in the K-12 school system in order to provide distance education and more educational diversity for all the students in their area. What is it? They’re classes online made specifically for different age levels. Content is different for every grade and developed to facilitate learning and pique the interest of students in the St. Louis Schools area.
Is There More Information Regarding Virtual Education in St. Louis Schools?
Of course! St. Louis Schools have provided the answers to a number of different questions because of the newness of virtual education, especially in the lower grades.
Ï Grades and Subjects: Starting in the 2008-2009 school year, St. Louis Schools will be offering virtual education to children in grades K-12. The subject list is easy because it’s the same as in a normal classroom. Language Arts, Math, Science, Health, Music, Art, and History can all be taught in a virtual St. Louis Schools classroom.
Ï Materials: St. Louis Schools provide all their virtual students with the materials they need to be successful in virtual education. The lower the grade, the more books they will have because St. Louis Schools understand that younger students need more educational diversity because their attention span is shorter. It is recommended that no more than 20-25 minutes a day be spent on the computer. Yes, a computer is needed for virtual education. Just how much though, depends on the age of the student. Younger students get less time, older students get more time. A high school aged student in St. Louis Schools will spend almost all of their time working on the computer.
Overall, it seems that St. Louis Schools are providing a better education for all of their students by making virtual education available for all grades in the public school system. But, there is more to be learned in a classroom than just facts and figures. The problem with virtual education in St. Louis Schools is that there is very little interaction between a student and his peers. Since the classroom setting is also a place to learn valuable social skills, a virtual education student would need some sort of an after school program to interact with other children his age. This ultimately the job of the parent since there is very little, if any involvement, by the school itself. Do the positives override the negatives? That’s a question for you and your child to discuss at great length before deciding on enrolling in virtual education. Call your child’s school and discuss it with a professional, they may be able to help guide you more.
By: Patricia Hawke
