E-Learning

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E-learning or electronic leaning is a computer based educational tool or system that enables you to learn anywhere and at any time. E-learning offers the ability to share material in all kinds of formats such as videos, slideshows, word documents and PDFs. The purpose of e-learning is to allow people to learn for personal accomplishment or to earn a professional degree, without physically attending a traditional university or academic setting.

There are a number of types of e-learning that depend on the amount of physical interaction. Entirely online e-learning occurs without any face-to face interaction. Course work and materials are distributed electronically through email, websites, online forums and/or CDs or DVD-ROMs. Combined learning uses a combination of Internet-directed instruction, as well as face-to-face interaction. Most traditional colleges and universities use combined learning as students learn in physical classrooms, with instruction augmented by online lessons. For those learning for personal accomplishment, e-learning can also use a combination of e-learning types, as they can be entirely self-directed, or they can use the assistance of an expert in their selected field. 

The advantages of e-learning:

  *More Flexible – eLearning can be done in short chunks of time that can fit around your daily  schedule. 

    *No Travel– As just mentioned, eLearning can be done wherever you have a device capable of doing  so. 

    * Lower cost – As you aren’t using a trainer’s time or any room or equipment, eLearning tends to be  the much cheaper option. 

    *Technological Possibilities – eLearning is fast becoming a more and more popular method and with  it, so has the investment into how to improve it further.

The disadvantages of e-learning:

    *Lack of Control– Learners with low motivation tend to fall behind when using eLearning as there are  no set times to be doing it and they are responsible for the organization themselves.

   *Learning Approach – It doesn’t appeal to all learning styles so some learners will not enjoy the  experience – especially strong activists and pragmatists.

   *Technology Issues – With heavy reliance on computers that eLearning brings, comes the potential  risks that comes with it, such as Poor internet connection and unavoidable general random faults.

     *Computer Competency – Some employees might not be too comfortable using computers, especially if their jobs don’t require them to.  

Those are taken from:

1.  http://www.talentlms.com/elearning/

2.  http://www.ehow.com/about_4788168_what-purpose-elearning.html

3 . http://www.ehow.com/about_4788168_what-purpose-elearning.html

That is all about the e-learning. Actually, there is no something perfect in this world, but if we utilizing the technology wisely, we may get the benefit of it. Last, I recommend you to visit the link below to see some addresses of the e-learning applications and tools. http://www.go2web20.net/#tag:e-learning. Thank you.

CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching)

Hello guys…, today we are going to talk about CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching).

http://luciocornejo.blogspot.com/2010/06/use-of-information-communication.html

Well, CALL may be defined “as the search for and study of applications of the computer in language teaching and learning” (Levy, 1997, p.1). ‍CALL is the essential tool that helps teachers to facilitate the language learning process.‍ It can be used to reinforce what has been already learned in the classroom or to help learners who require additional support.

The aim of CALL is to find ways for using computers in teaching and learning language process. More specifically, CALL is the use of computer technologies that promote educational learning, including word processing, presentation packages, guided drill and practice, tutor, simulation, problem solving, games, multimedia CD-ROM, and internet applications such as e-mail, chat and the World Wide Web (WWW) for language learning purposes. Taken from: http://web.warwick.ac.uk/CELTE/tr/ovCALL/booklet1.htm

After we know about the CALL, its time to show you some activities of CALL in ELT according to http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/CALL/unit1.htm, as follow:

-  multiple-choice & true/false quizzes

-  matching     

-  crossword puzzles    
-  simulations 

-  concordancing 

-  re-ordering/sequencing

-  games

-  writing & word-processing

-  web quests/searching        
-  web publishing                                                                 

-  online communication   

As we know, in applying technology there will be advantages and disadvantages.

In this case, the advantages in applying CALL are:

Learner’s Factors

- CALL offers individualized and private learning.

- CALL allows learners to control their own learning process and progress.

Motivation and Attitudes

- Some CALL features such as graphics, sounds, animation, video, audio.

- Can improve learners’ attitudes towards learning English.

Mastery Learning

- CALL provides opportunities for mastery-learning language skills.

- CALL can lower the amount of time required to master some materials.

Then, the following are the limitation of CALL:

Cost

- ELT teachers may have negative attitudes towards CALL.

- There is fear that CALL might replace teachers.\

Training

- A lot of ELT teachers still lack training and skills in using 

  the CALL and training costs are   high.

- Training learners to use computers takes students’ time away from

  other educational activities.

- ELT teachers may lack the necessary computer-related skills.

Hardware, Compatability, and Technical Support

- Computer hardware is difficult to install and maintain

  for classroom teachers.

- Disk space is still problematic for storing

  large multimedia files.

- CALL (e.g. CD-ROMs) are sometimes not suitable

  for all computers, platforms and hardware.

In short, CALL has important potential for English language teaching.  The essential things if we used properly with clear educational objectives, CALL can interest and motivate learners of English, because it has effective and suitable tools and applications of language learning and teaching, and it has flexibility on the instruction too, so it can provide communicative meaningful language learning environments.