Technology Enhancing Learning?

While I was doing some research on e-learning I came across the following quotes:

"In education, e-learning is not changing the way students learn or how teachers teach; it is rather changing how knowledge is delivered and where educators train. One very important differentiator is that with computer-based learning there are no longer any physical, spatial, or time limit restraints in the structure, pace, or preferred learning methods of the education environment."

"technology in and of itself will not enhance learning. The case that illustrates that point well, was the adoption of cable TV in the classroom. As a tool, technology has the potential to enhance learning if it is accompanied by the appropriate instructional strategies which are designed to achieve the learning outcome."

Do you feel that some instructors rely too much on technology and not enough on teaching students effectively? What other factors besides technology effect our learning?

Preferred Learning Styles

I went on Facebook and Twitter and took a survey on which style of learning was preferred. The results were: E-Learning: 13 (48.2%)
Classroom: 5 (18.5%)
Both: 7 (25.9%)
undecided: 2 (7.4%)
All of those who responded were college students.

What is E-learning?

Essentially it depends on what you use e-learning for but it is an electronic way to advance your knowledge in different subjects. For instance, in the business world, it often refers to the strategies that use a company network to deliver training courses to employees and lately, in most Universities, e-learning is used to define a specific mode to deliver course content and activities or program of study online.

There is also formal and informal e-learning. Classroom courses represent the type of learning called formal learning because the learning has stated objectives and is supposed to yield predetermined results. Some forms of formal e-learning include online education and online training recreate the formal learning experience online. Online education provides adults with limited literacy skills with a safe and patient place to develop basic skills such as reading and mathematical skills. Universities such as Phoenix University and San Diego State University offer online degree and certificate programs. Online training is also a structured event like online education. The only factor that separates online training from education is that the skills and knowledge taught via training are expected to be used immediately. E-learning also allows us to explore the potential of informal learning such as Knowledge Management and Electronic Performance Support.

There are many benefits of E-learning, including the following:
Convenience and Portability

• Courses are accessible on your schedule
• Online learning does not require physical attendance
• Learning is self-paced (not too slow, not too fast)
• You're unbound by time - courses are available 24/7
• You're unbound by place - study at home, work, or on the road
• Read materials online or download them for reading later

Cost and Selection

• Choose from a wide range of courses to meet your needs
• Degree, Vocational, and Certificate programs
• Continuing Education
• Individual courses
• Wide range of prices to fit your budget
• Go back to school to get a degree, learn a new skill, learn a new craft, or just have fun!
• From art to zoology you can do it all online in a price range to fit your budget.

Flexibility

• Online learning accommodates your preferences and needs - it's student-centered
• Choose instructor-led or self-study courses
• Skip over material you already know and focus on topics you'd like to learn
• Use the tools best suited to your learning styles

Higher Retention

• Online learning will draw you to topics you like and enjoy. Studies show that because of this and the variety of delivery methods used to reach different types of learners, retention is frequently better than in a traditional classroom.

Greater Collaboration

• Technology tools make collaboration among students much easier. Since many projects involve collaborative learning, the online environment is far easier (and often more comfortable) to work in since learners don't have to be face-to-face.

Global Opportunities

• The global learning community is at your fingertips with online learning. The technologies used give online instructional designers the ability to build in tools that take you to resources you may never see in a traditional classroom