CMP 100: Intro to E-Learning

• Course Name: Computer Skills
• Code: CMP 100
• Program: Events Management and Organizing
• Academic year: 1446 (Hijri)

E-Learning Definition

• E-learning is the use of modern electronic media, information, and communication technologies.
• E-learning facilitates education with minimal time and effort, maximizing benefits.
• Electronic media includes computers, networked devices, digital media (images, text, audio), search mechanisms, e-libraries, internet gateways, and portals.
• E-learning delivers education/training through educational technologies.
• E-learning enables broadcasting from an educational institution to geographically distant recipients.
• E-learning offers educational options for students unable to attend traditional programs.

Aims of E-Learning

• Reduces educational costs and overcomes limitations of educational institutions
• Expands admission opportunities and increases learner numbers
• Decreases administrative burdens in academic courses.
• Addresses shortages of qualified faculty, teachers, and trainers.
• Provides flexibility and freedom from traditional education constraints.
• Allows study that fits individual learner conditions, eliminating travel to university centers/training institutes.
• Promotes justice in learning opportunities for all aspiring individuals.
• Encourages independence in learning and research and distributes a self-learning culture.
• Reduces differences between learners by offering diverse educational resources.
• Enhances the quality of education using attractive charts and animated clips, which summarize information.
• Develops the skills of learners and teachers, particularly technical skills.

Types of E-Learning

• Synchronous education allows direct interaction between teachers and learners via the internet in real-time.
• Synchronous methodologies include written communication (instant text messaging), voice communication (over the internet), and audio/video communication (video conferencing).
• Asynchronous education does not require simultaneous presence
• Relies on methods such as email or voicemail
• Teachers can post resources on websites for students to access without real-time communication.
• A disadvantage is the delayed feedback and potential loss of interaction with teachers and peers.

E-Learning Technologies

• Educational television uses a common and familiar tool.
• Television supports audio and video for presenting complex concepts effectively.
• Television demonstrates practical applications and hands-on concepts
• Augments the efficiency of presented educational content through field trips
• Television virtually transports students to unfamiliar locations (the moon, planets, or foreign countries).
• Live broadcasts and capturing events for educational purposes.
• Television summarizes and reviews concepts.
• Video conferences are modern, efficient educational technologies that allow real-time teacher-student communication.
• Supports the use of whiteboards, documents and videos.
• Connects geographically separate individuals in real-time.
• Gives immediate feedback through direct interaction with instructors and classmates.
• Video conferencing necessitates costly equipment and substantial teacher effort to keep students connected.
• Printed resources provides materials as hard or soft copies forming a basic component of e-learning.
• Printed resources are user-friendly
• Examples include textbooks, curricula, objectives and references.

Internet

• Supports e-learning via email for message and information exchange.
• Facilitates student feedback.
• Utilizes whiteboards for student interaction and virtual classes for reinforcement
• Internet provides material regarding class, courses, exercises, references, etc
• Internet provides information about the instructor.

Databases

• Organizes collections of searchable records.
• Covers specific subjects or timeframes.
• includes library databases with book and periodical abstracts.

Virtual Classes

• Advances in technology reinforce teachers and learners effectiveness.
• Terminology for digital educational advancement:
• Paperless world
• Universities without walls
• Next-generation learning environment
• Electronic schools and universities
• Virtual educational environments
• Virtual universities
• Digital curriculum
• Smart and virtual classrooms
• Virtual classrooms offer online learning environments mimicking traditional classrooms and negate time/space limitations
• Used for collaborative learning online.

E-Learning Tools

• Social networks like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Twitter enable users to create and share content via smart devices
• The most commonly used tools are social networks.
• Social networks allow educational success and empowerment
• Participation is encouraged through synchronous and asynchronous methodologies.

Learning Management Systems

• Integrated software manages and evaluates educational activities and tools.
• E-learning requires electronic management for communication and integration.
• LMS support are for tasks related to managing admission, registration, virtual classrooms, assignments, tests, and student progress.

Open Source E-Learning Management Systems

• Moodle system is useful for teachers to provide electronic learning.
• Moodle offers flexible web pages
• Supports over 45 languages including Arabic
• Is used worldwide by educational facilities.
• Dokeos system activates cooperation between groups and supports the creation of educational content, having a global presence.
• Dokeos supports 34 languages
• ATutor allows teachers to update the interface
• ATutor system supports 30 languages

Commercial E-Learning Management Systems

• For-profit systems require a license for use
• WebCT manages e-learning with tools for preparing courses in educational institutions.
• Blackboard system mirrors the traditional classroom and provides learning opportunities to help quality education.
• The most used system is Blackboard and it supports flexibility and can be widely expanded
• Tadarus, from Harf Information Technology is built in Arabic and used in some Saudi universities
• Majd is built in Arabic to manage virtual classrooms, monitor work, and supervise learners.
• Jsoor manages educational content.

Instructional Platforms

• Numerous applications are designed for e-learning on smart devices.
• These platforms use discovery and playing techniques.
• Specific platforms mentioned include MIT, Edx, Edraak, and Rwaq.

Quality Standards in E-Learning

• Success in education relies on adhering to international quality standards.
• Use direct and indirect communication.
• Encourage cooperation in learning.
• Provide evaluations.
• Adapting content and assessment to meet diverse needs.
• Produce good digital content (design and content).
• Apply discovery and play techniques.
• Supply learners with search-friendly sites.
• Share videos on platforms through cloud services like Google Drive.

Google Drive

• Google Drive is available with upgradeable storage options for monthly fees.
• Functions as a "Cloud Storage Service" with secure cloud storage
• Sync various user devices and secure files from damage/loss.
• Stores files safely.
• Access Google Drive from computers or mobile devices with an internet connection.
• A Gmail account is necessary for access.
• Enables sharing and collaboration.