The rapid advancements in technology and science over the past few decades have facilitated the dissemination of knowledge and the development and evolution of education and learning processes at an unprecedented pace like never before in the past. A key development that supports and advances long-life learning and the promotion of adult skills and knowledge consists the proliferation, not just in numbers as well as in quality and breadth, of Online Learning courses and methodologies.
Online learning is catalyzing a pedagogical shift in how we learn and anticipate knowledge of the world around us. Online learning marks a shift away from top-down lecturing and passive students to a more interactive, collaborative approach in which students and their instructor co-create the learning process and interact in its development. On the other hand, online distance learning meets the needs of an ever-growing population of students and adult learners who choose not to participate in traditional classroom settings or are not able to participate, as the recent pandemic has horizontally posed that challenge. Online learners include among others, those unable or unwilling to attend traditional classes, who cannot find a particular class at their chosen institution, who live in remote locations, who work full-time and can only study at or after work, those who manage to find the resources and time to attend a course and those who simply prefer to learn independently.
The minimum requirement for students to participate in an online course is access to a computer, the Internet, and the motivation to succeed in a non-traditional classroom. Online courses provide an excellent method of course delivery unbound by time or location allowing for accessibility to instruction at any time from anywhere. Learners find the online environment a convenient way to fit education into their busy lives. The ability to access a course from any computer with Internet access, 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a tremendous incentive
Major Topic: Techniques and Tips for Learning through Internet
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this Learning Unit, trainees will be able to:
● Understanding and elaborating basic concepts of online learning
● Understanding the different kinds and sources of online learning
● Making informed searches according to their preferences
● Realizing the advantages of online learning
● How to avoid information overflow and make informed choices of online courses
● Anticipate how to better organize themselves and use online resources efficiently
● Compare different online education sources
Basic Concepts
▪ Online Learning ▪ Synchronous Learning ▪ Asynchronous Learning ▪ Virtual Classroom ▪ Webinars ▪ Massive Open Online Courses |
▪ Communication Platform ▪ Search Engines ▪ Online Education Resources ▪ Time Management ▪ Online Tutorials and Videos ▪ Information Overflow |
Topics
- Online learning strategies;
- How to search the Web;
- Online tutorials and videos;
- How to evaluate information;
- Avoiding Information Overflow.
