E-Learning 2.0 - The Latest Technology in Education

Much has been written about technology being used in education - how the use of online applications is rapidly spreading out in traditional classrooms, etc. Before the advent of e-learning 2.0, teachers delivered learning materials and instructions via lectures and assignments. However, the new type of e-learning has brought forth the concepts of wikis, blogs, and social media, to name a few. Teachers in various district schools and colleges have started to explore the potentiality of social media and blogs to conduct classes and courses online.
Social Media
Use commercial social networking websites in schools and libraries to impart education easily and quickly. For example, you can create a profile page on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc. to post and share information with large numbers of students and parents. The 2012 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project found that Israel has the maximum number of people using social networking sites (53%) followed by USA in the second spot (50% using social media).
Blogging
Many colleges in particular are using blogs in their classrooms to write and publish learning materials online. Blogs act as a great tool to encourage feedback, critical or otherwise, by allowing readers to add comments to any post, anytime, from home or while traveling somewhere. Many teachers are supporting their students to create and maintain a blog for publishing assignments and project works. It becomes extremely convenient for professors to check or download an assignment rather than to wait for the student to come and submit the work in person.
Podcasting
Podcasting has become a popular technology in learning. Many leading universities in the U.S. have created podcasts to offer free courses over the internet. For example, Boston College created the Boston College iTunes Web Site which provides a collection of lectures that students can load onto their iPods. You can also subscribe to the Georgetown University Forum iTunes Feed Web Site - a weekly radio program that highlights the research and expertise of Georgetown University teaching staff.
Media Sharing
Students can be encouraged to use Flickr, the free photo sharing website to upload and download multiple numbers of education-related photos to use for their schools tasks. You can access the photos and use them in slides, learning coursework, etc. Learners will also get the chance to comment on the uploaded photos to create a chain reaction suitable to share knowledge and impart education much easily and quickly.
Thus, e-learning 2.0 has opened up a range of avenues for both the teachers and students to gain education in a more advanced and updated setting.

Myth: College Is A Four Year Degree

As I age, I tire more easily of comments made by politicians and others who benefitted from college out of high school. I do not want to sound as if I degrade them, but in reality more like I envy them. Truth is, most of us can benefit from college starting today.
I cruised through high school. I knew I would never reach college if for no other reason than my Father could never afford the cost. What I never realized was the HOW part of getting into college. Had I known then what I know now...yep, we all heard those phrases.
My first college course came while serving the Navy overseas. College English classes contracted by the Navy. I discovered college was not all that tough. Imagine, a kid that cruised through high school finding college level work relatively within my ability, and I could afford the class (mind you I mean just A class). I strutted around like a peacock.
It would be years before getting back into college. I used the old reliable excuse, "I do not have the time." The fact of the matter is I did not make time nor invest enough time to find time. To make a long story short, I completed my degree at the ripe old age of 46. How does this factor into a four-year degree?
My point is getting your brain to connect to your feet, your wallet, and your wish to reach your goal. You see, you do not need to take courses "full-time" to get your degree. You do however, need to invest your brain full-time. You need to invest your family into your goals and allow them to help you achieve those goals.
I agree the earlier you start the better your chances, but moving is the first step. Again, the point is starting. Start with the goal of completing a course. Might I recommend English classes. Little you can do after getting your grammar and writing in better shape will prepare you for you degree. Even if you only seek an associate's degree, English should be the primary starting point.
When I realized I could not get my degree in four years, I used each semester as a goal. One semester might be only a single class while others may be as many as two. I did not say your start would be easy. I will say making your mind to do something makes your start easier.

My point is getting your brain to connect to your feet, your wallet, and your wish to reach your goal. You see, you do not need to take courses "full-time" to get your degree. You do however, need to invest your brain full-time. You need to invest your family into your goals and allow them to help you achieve those goals.

Why Should You Introduce Technology in Education?

There has being a lot of talk regarding why educational organizations should introduce technology in classrooms. This year, New York City's Department of Education plans to increase its technology expenses to $542 million for setting up internet connections and giving wireless access to all the city schools.
There is absolutely no reason to believe that the 'brick and mortar' classrooms didn't help students get the kind of education they deserved. Prior to technology, students still learnt and came through tests with flying colors. However, technology has brought in some significant benefits that even the most vocal critic can't disagree with.
I will share with you some crucial points in support of implementing technology in educational organizations. Let's figure them out.
Expansion of Time and Place
In technology minus classrooms, students had a fixed time to meet their teachers and exchange ideas and notes. A normal class period would be around 40 to 45 minutes in duration. However, technology has erased the time and place constraint. Now, a student can easily chat and discuss with a teacher whenever he/she wants to. Skype, online forums, etc. have made it possible to connect with the school faculty, 24x7 at their convenience.
Depth of Understanding
You can expand your knowledge base about a specific subject or lesson via interactive simulation and illustrations. Using a projector, a teacher can now demonstrate and explain a topic far easily to a large group of learners than just sitting in the class and giving lectures.
Learning at Your Own Pace
You can readily access and download learning materials as and when needed. Technology has eliminated the physical barrier of collecting notes and coursework only from the campus library or from the teacher. Now, all you need is a computer with an internet connection to get the information from anywhere and at any time.
New Media for Self-expression
In traditional classrooms, students had to write every assignment and homework in notebooks to let the teacher review it. Using modern technology, students can create several online slide presentations, videos, and set up a website or blog to make their assignments or projects accessible to the teacher, 24x7.
Collaboration Online
Students can at anytime add, remove or edit information online. They don't need to carry textbooks to school, as e-books can easily be viewed and downloaded from the internet. Large chunks of coursework can be organized and stored in a computer database for future usage. Educational projects can be collaboratively done by small groups of students residing at different locations. Online tools such as the web, email, text messaging, etc. helps you to complete homework in conversation with your classmates, without anyone's physical presence.

Make Training Programs Productive With Learning Management System

Training programs are intended to offer new knowledge to learners, which can be used to deliver better results in terms of performance. However, most training programs cannot cope up with the changing trends in the Learning and Development industry. Thus, employees are unable to apply their knowledge in practicality as per demands. Today, training organizers are continuously looking for effective ways to make training programs productive and purposeful. So how can they achieve this?
Experts believe, that using an integrated Learning Management System can help in making an employee training program highly effective. How does it actually help in delivering knowledge in the best possible way? Take a look here.
Pre training scenario
Identifying the learning objective is extremely important before starting on the program. Depending on the objectives, an action sheet is created and uploaded on the system. This action sheet can well serve as an individual reference guide to learners and helps them to stay updated with specific information about job tasks. Thus, it will be easier for learners to determine what kind of knowledge they can obtain from participating in the training.
On the course of training
The software system facilitates complete involvement of teachers and learners during the training sessions. While the learners keep a track of their day-to-day performance, the instructors can check the tasks and assignments given to the students on a regular basis. Thus, it becomes a win-win situation for both the parties. Learners are aware of their progress and achievements and instructors know what needs to be completed. In this way, participants will be able to stay updated about every stage of the learning program.
Post training phase
The primary focus in the post-training phase is to check how far the learners are able to apply the knowledge they have gained. Thus, interacting with peers and fellow learners is extremely important. With a Learning Management System, learners can do the same effectively. Here, they can share their individual situations and experiences with the group, which is likely to enhance their knowledge base in the long run. The new age software system allows users to create an online group even before a training program starts. The best part about this group is that participants can continue discussions even when the training session is over.
An effective training program should offer a comprehensive learning support and guidance throughout. A robust software system can help you can achieve the end while monitoring, managing and reiterating the training requirements.

How Effective Is a Learning Management System

In the digital era people constantly look for simple yet instant solutions to their daily problems. So is true for learning needs as well. With innovative inventions coming up almost every day, the Learning and Development industry is evolving through dynamic changes in recent years. Thus, technology has its widespread effect on the way training was delivered so far. Nowadays, education and training is still very much being executed, not just within the classroom but in cyberspace.
With Learning Management System, participants get the same course as offered in traditional schools. However, with immediate access to internet makes E-learning more informative and exciting. Students can learn online with constant assistance from this system whilst monitoring their performance simultaneously.
Presently, this software system is being used extensively in education, administration and the corporate set up for catering to diverse training requirements. While it is also being applied to in educational institutions, for monitoring the progress of the students, in corporate companies this system is primarily employed to train the workforce. In corporate organizations, the software system is exercised to conduct a series of training programs simultaneously for geographically dispersed employees.
According to recent statistics, Learning Management Software comprised of $860 Million of the market share in 2010. Its market value has increased with the passage of time and experts believe that it would be the only medium of education in the years to come.
At present, competition is tough and consumers are on the lookout for a "complete package". However, a Learning Management System caters to their needs. Right from registering students to conducting a training program till its successful execution, a Learning Management System serves all. Apart from this, it also helps in managing and delivering study materials in an organized fashion to students. An advanced version of the LMS, known as LCMS (Learning Content Management System) helps in creating, storing, and reusing learning content from a central object repository.
With technological advancements, the Learning and Development industry has greatly leaped from the old traditional ways. With the internet offering varied and interesting resources 24x7, the old and traditional practices of learning have become obsolete. Just with a simple click, you can now access a world of information. Experts believe, such software systems can improve the educational structure and process of learning on a rapid scale. Every day, an upgraded version of the software is appearing which acts as a catalyst in further enhancements in learning and development styles greatly.
Experts believe that education and training is going to make a great leap with the Learning Management System in the coming days