Technology is a fact in learning. Multiple devices varying in size, power, and functionality can be found frequently used by learners.
Here is an overview about eLearning advantages (we always compare eLearning with pure face-to-face classroom teaching). The list is split into three parts respecting the different target groups involved in eLearning. The summary is based on modern eLearning courses using an optimized platform (that does not really exist) and well done courses using a lot or multimedia elements and interactivity.
Advantages of eLearning (learner’s view)
Learner actively involved in his/her e-learning
Interactivity and attractiveness of eLearning content
Flexibility and adaptability according to availability (time, location)
Training at own pace, independently of other learners
Self-assessment during and at end of course
Personal progress monitoring during eLearning course and appraisal of results obtained thanks to tracking
Tutorial support on demand (if necessary)
Contact to other learners (if planned and necessary)
No travel costs
Advantages of eLearning (company’s view)
“Mass” training (big number of learners)
Savings relative to classroom-based training indirect costs (travel, accommodation, etc.)
Flexibility and adaptability according to learner availability (time, location)
Customization and adjustment of training courses to predefined skills and teaching goals
Low logistical constraints (no room booking, employee travel, accommodation, etc.)
Precise course reporting and automated results analysis thanks to tracking (based on the eLearning platform)
Durable and updatable teaching materials (often reuseable)
Advantages of eLearning (trainer’s view)
Prerequisites for assessing learner levels
Training performed on interactive and attractive tools for both trainer and learners
Flexibility and adaptability according to availability (time, location) especial for the tutorial support
Techology is a fact in teaching and expected by learners.
eLearning, with all its characteristics defining its advantages and disadvantages was a major breakthrough in academic education and professional training. Various Universities worldwide have incorporated eLearning solution in their curriculum and commercial companies from different fields of business have also integrated this method in their staff training programs to further enhance and develop the skills and knowledge of their workforce which can significantly contribute in the company growth in terms of production and profit.
One of the advantages of eLearning is its flexibility which allows any people willing to study but with always a limited time can access education and training by using eLearning tools and modules related to the field he or she wants to study. For students, this is major advantage in trimming down tuition fee expenses and other miscellaneous fees related to their academic pursuit.
eLearning includes all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. eLearning is the computer and network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. eLearning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual education opportunities and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. It can be self-paced or instructor-led and includes media in the form of text, image, animation, streaming video and audio.
In eLearning environments learners interact with learning materials, their instructors and other learners from various locations and often at various times using network technologies. So by its nature, eLearning offers significant flexibility as to when and how learning occurs. eLearning can include independent, facilitated, or collaborative approaches to learning.
eLearning can be asynchronous (meaning learners are experiencing the learning at different times) or synchronous (meaning learners are experiencing the learning at the same time) or it can incorporate both drawing on the strengths of each. Independent learning is, by definition, asynchronous. Facilitated and collaborative can be either asynchronous or synchronous learning.
eLearning means to learn with electronic media. In many descriptions it’s reduced to learning using the internet. That’s basically not correct. eLearning covers the learning process supported by any means of electronically media (Computer, CD-ROM, digitized video, sound, the Internet, …).
eLearning as a term is outdated and should be replaced by “Technology Enhanced Learning”. This covers all the learning techniques as mentioned above, also the learning using the internet (as the access to the Internet only can be done by using multiple devices1 the learning with the Internet is fully covered by this term).
Blended Learning combines classical classroom teaching with eLearning. You may also call it “Hybrid Learning” or “Mixed Learning” – there are a lot of different terms existing – all meaning the same.
eLearning does not exist apart from already established and traditional learning venues. As new technology is introduced and adopted, it immediately becomes integrated with the instructional technology that preceded it. This is called “Blended Learning” or “Hybrid Learning” delivery.
Online learning content and strategies are showing up in classrooms nationwide. Digital content is replacing textbooks and much of it was initially used in formal or informal learning online.
If you are interested in technology enhanced learning and teaching methods have a closer look atour pages and in the blog!
1 Multiple devices means computers, laptops, norebooks, convertibles, tablets, and even smartphones. The use and the term “multiple devices” was created by Carlos Guerrero (SAFA) and Peter Mazohl (EBI/EIE). You will find mor information in this blog post!
The term Blended Learning is generally applied to the practice of using both online and in-person learning experiences when teaching students (Abbott 2014). This term has developed for many years with changing interpretations.
Blended Learning means a teaching method, where face-to-face teaching is combined with distance learning. The teaching process is supported by the use of an appropriate learning platform. The term eLearning (modern: Technology Enhanced Learning TEL) in this document refers to the platform-supplied distance learning.
What does Blended Learning mean?
Blended Learning is a teaching method and no pedagogical or didactical concept. Blended Learning describes the technique used for teaching. This means teaching highly connected with the use of ICT. ICT offers new opportunities but also new challenges for both instructors and students (Redmond 2011). Teachers and trainers change their working place and reduce the time used in the traditional brick-and-mortar environment. Students get the independency to decide, what, where, when and how they learn during the distance learning.
Structure of Blended Learning courses
Hint: This post summarizes the results of the BladEdu project.
Text & Graphics: (c) 2016 Peter Mazohl
The project aims to create a special virtual toolbox for teachers as a sophisticated tool for developing Open Online Distance Learning (OODL) courses which means open, online, flexible and technology enhanced education (OOFAT). The mixture of of the partners
ensures the necessary competences, values, skills and knowledge for developing an innovative approach to OODL. This project uses a strategic cooperation between formal and non-formal/informaleducational providers using ICT based teaching and the
enhancement of digital integration in learning. It will be enhancing teachers’ professional development and support students‘ acquisition of values, skills and competences.
The project team at the teaching event in Teneriffe (in front of the building of the Colegio Internacional Costa Adeje)
The 5 consortium members are well distributed in Europe:
University of Crete, GR (specialised in innovative education) will focus on
supporting students‘ acquisition of skills and competences,
EBI/EIE (AT) is a teacher training institution with experienced in Distance
Learning impacts in enhancing teachers’ professional development and in OODL
The I.T.E VITTORIO VENETO SALVEMINI (IT) and
Colegio Internacional Costa Adeje (ES) are two high schools (offering a multicultural background) with different orientation in teaching and experienced in eLearning and modern teaching methods.
The Swedish Association for Distance Education (SADE) has a special focus on OODL and OOFAT and provides experience in quality enhancement systems.
The VVT-Box methodology focuses on items which are either not yet common or still missing in Open Online Distance Education as a
Innovative approach to OODL
Appropriate quality enhancement framework
Innovative and completely new motivating self-evaluation method for students (Mandala method)
New developed innovative tool for course creators
Special training course for teachers to implement the new methods in course creation
Transferability and evaluation guide to enable the transfer to other educational fields
The project started with October 1, 2017 and will last for two years. The findings and outcomes of the project can be found at the project’s web page VTT-Box.
To follow the project’s activities and to read the related postings please have a look at the project’s blog.
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
The EBI/EIE was involved in numerous national and European projects. In these projects, the EBI/EIE was either coordinator or contributed to the project as researcher or executing partner.
LLP-Projects
The EBI/E/E participated in two important projects in the frame of the LLP program.
Erasmus+ aims to promote the sustainable development of its partners in the field of higher education, In 2017, the EBI/EIE (with the partner association EFQUBL) started two new Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships.
New projects started in November 2020 (one with the EBI/EIE as a coordinator).
Intermedia– Implementation of Interactivity and multimedia-based content using Multiple Devices in Adult Education
This will care about the development of multimedia-based and interactive content for courses using multiple devices.
CONNECT
This is an Erasmus+ Higher Education (with two universities as partners) with the aim to create a platform for a Community of Practice.
E4ALL– Education for All
The general aim of the project is to support adult educators in designing, delivering, and promoting more attractive and inclusive education for all generations of adult learners. The direct target group of the project includes the members, workers, co-workers, educators, and volunteers of the Third Sector adult education organisations
Projects with the new ERASMUS+ Programme (after 2020).
The priorities for the new Erasmus+ program include promoting inclusion, digitalization, and environmental sustainability while enhancing skills development and fostering innovation in the fields of education, training, youth, and sport.
The cooperation with the University of Cyprus enabled another project in 2022.
DigiComPass – Digital Competences Recognition Framework for Adult Education
The project started in December 2022. It aims to develop a course package to enable adults to increase their digital competencies. The project focuses on the implementation of Flipped Learning 3.0.
Future Projects
The EBI/EIE will apply for new projects in the future. The focus will be set on Adult Education, Digital competencies for teachers, trainers, and adults, technology-enhanced teaching, training and learning, cultural awareness, and related items.
The „European Initiative for Education“ (EIE) is an international (European) private Non-Profit education and training organization in Austria (legal status: association). There are offices in Wiener Neustadt / Austria, Adeje/Spain, and in Athens/Greece.
EIE’s mission is to endorse an innovative approach to education, training, and culture; this is done by using the method of „Blended Learning“ as an advanced technique of education and training. A new challenge for us is the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Community.
The EIE is integrated into a network of similar institutions in Europe; there are training organizations, educational establishments, research and development centers, public authorities, specialists etc.
The scope of courses is focused on Technology Enhanced Learning (formerly called e-learning) with the learning platforms Moodle, Blended Learning; Multimedia (Interactivity and Multimedia Content), Content Management Systems, Presentation Techniques, and Project Management.
The EBI/EIE is not only a training association but also involved in research. The research team of the EBI publishes regularly the current research results and is involved as a speaker at international conferences, for example, the ICERI (in Seville).
We are actively involved in the Erasmus+ Programme and offer:
Training in the Frame of KA 1 projects (training for teachers, trainers, and adult learners)
Strategic Partnerships – KA 2 projects
Since the autumn 2013, the EBI/EIE is involved in European Projects or coordinates one. In 2015, the EBI/EIE and other partners from the BladEdu founded the European Foundation for Quality in Blended Learning, EFQBL, as a dissemination tool for Blended Learning. In consequence, the EBI/EIE cooperates regularly with this organization.
VTT-Box (School Education)
This project has been finished in November 2019.
TIBL-Project (EFQUBL)
This project has been finished in November 2019.
Flipped Adult Education (Adult Education)
This project has been started in 2018 and finished finally in August 2021 (Prolonged due to COVID-19)
DigiComPass (Adult Education)
This project aims to develop a course package to increase digital competencies of adults (following the DigComp 2.1 Framework)
BonJour! (Adult Education)
The project aims to enhance media literacy among older individuals through journalism and digital skills training, fostering social activism and bridging generational digital divides by establishing a pool of media educators tailored for the elderly, supported by a methodology, professional profile identification, training curriculum, and an e-learning platform.
CICERO (Adult Education) This project was dealing with digital competencies and digital photography. It was started with the Kickoff Meeting in Wiener Neustadt and finished with a final meeting at the University of Stockholm.
The project was awarded as a “Project of Good Practice” by the Swedish National Agency.
TEST (School Education) This school project focusing on the development of multimedia-based learning tools for science subjects started in the autumn of 2018 and has been finished in 2021.
CONNECT (Higher Education)
The project cares about the development of an innovative multidisciplinary and cross-sectional curriculum for students from the computer and information, health, and social sciences background.
InterMedia (Adult Education)
This project cares about multimedia and interactivity in learning.
