A thorough explanation of the basics of e-learning, how it works and how to use it! [2020-2021]
2020.11.25
Thorough explanation of the basics of e-learning, how it works and how to use it! [2020-2021
My name is Kidaoka, I am in charge of marketing. This article is an easy-to-understand explanation of the basics and structure of e-Learning.
What exactly is e-learning? and also covers the history and development of e-learning in detail!
This article is aimed at those who want to learn and use e-learning. This article is aimed at those who want to learn and use e-learning.
When you hear the word "e-learning," you may think: ......
You may be thinking, "This sounds difficult, complicated to set up, and I wonder if I can do it myself. You may feel uneasy about e-learning.
Let's learn the basics of e-Learning and how it works together with the help of this article!
Click here for the Table of Contents
1. What is e-Learning?
2. History of e-Learning
3. Learning Management System (LMS) Supporting e-Learning
4. Summary
What is e-Learning?
E-learning is a learning system that allows you to "improve your skills at your own pace, unrestricted by time or place" by using electronic devices such as computers and smartphones and the Internet.
E-learning is an abbreviation of "electronic learning," and refers to "a form of learning that uses a variety of devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets," and is an educational method that makes learning electronic.
*Although e-learning nowadays has a strong image of online learning, "offline learning," which combines content stored on recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, was originally common.
The Beginning of e-Learning History
The origins of e-learning can be traced back to the 1950s, when development began mainly in the United States, based on an idea called CAI, or "Can't computers support education?
Although the development of computer-based learning systems has been around since the 1950s, at that time they were still not well known to the public.
E-learning, which is used as a matter of course now, was called Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI or WBT) at that time.
CAI (computer-assisted instruction or computer-aided instruction)
CAI is based on pedagogy (educational technology), learning theory (learning psychology), and information science (information theory).
It is the original concept behind today's e-learning, and was utilized to "use computers for school education and training.
⇒ (later to WBT)
*CAI research in Japan began in the 1960s, and a pioneering system was put into practical use in the 1970s; however, it did not spread to general educational institutions due to the strong functionality of individual systems tailored to customer specifications and lack of flexibility as a system.
WBT (Web Based Training)
WBT refers to a system that enables students to learn by distributing educational materials via computers and other devices connected to the Internet.
WBT has developed so that learning histories, as well as teaching materials and programs, can be centrally managed on a server.
Features of WBT
Individual learners can browse materials, take exams, etc. via the Internet
Not bound by geographical or time constraints
Comprised of a Learning Management System (LMS) that manages both course materials and learner history
With the development of WBT and other technologies, the term e-learning emerged in the 1990s. e-learning was initially limited to learning at companies, schools, and home computers. However, as IT infrastructures advanced and smartphones and tablet devices rapidly became popular, mobile learning became possible, regardless of where or when the learning took place.
About the History of e-Learning
The term eLearning was first used at TechLearn 1999, held in Florida, USA, in November 1999. The various names that had been used until then, such as CAI, WBT, online learning, and distance learning, were combined and presented under the term e-learning for the first time.
History of e-Learning
Movements in the World
1) 1950s: Started in the U.S.
The development of e-learning began mainly in the United States with the idea that computers could be used to support education.
(2) 1950s: Appearance and launch of Windows 95
In 1995, Windows 95, which became explosively popular, went on sale, and personal computers spread to ordinary households.
(3) 2000s: Full-scale introduction of PCs in Japan
In 2000, the Mori Cabinet of the time launched the "e-Japan Concept," which aimed to create a Japanese-style IT society.
4) 2000s: Smartphones and tablets become popular
In the late 2000s, smartphones such as the iPhone and Android, as well as larger tablets, began to appear, and e-learning underwent further major changes.
5) 2020s: Rapid market growth due to the coronavirus
The spread of the new coronavirus will lead to a rapid increase in home-based learning at schools and telecommuting at companies.
A major change in Japan occurred in the year 2000. The "e-Japan Concept" was launched by the then Mori Cabinet to create a Japanese-style IT society, and in 2001 the Japan E-Learning Consortium, a non-profit organization, was established to promote e-learning in earnest. Windows 95 was released in 1995.
Windows 95 changed the history of e-learning and was the catalyst for the spread of computer-based learning and training.
With the advent of e-learning, our learning has shifted from analog to digital.
With the advent and evolution of e-learning, learners are now able to improve their skills 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without worrying about who is watching.
Until digital devices became commonplace, it was commonplace for our learning and training to take place in the form of so-called group classes and group training.
Many learners gathered in one place, and everything from test distribution to grading and checking learning progress was costly.
Nowadays, e-learning is becoming mainstream, using mobile devices such as smartphones, allowing students to study "easily, anywhere".
Current Status of e-Learning and Future Challenges
With the spread of the Internet, PCs, and smartphones, interactive interaction between instructors and learners has been realized.
However, what is attracting attention now is a form of learning in which learners can communicate smoothly with each other to enhance the quality of learning.
Communication between learners is expected to be highly effective in improving and maintaining motivation for learning.
The Future of E-Learning
AI is expected to be utilized in the future.
By analyzing large amounts of learning data, AI is expected to further improve learning efficiency by automatically selecting learning content and materials tailored to each individual student. In addition, the use of VR is also advancing, and we are approaching an era in which e-learning will be able to solve problems that have been impossible with conventional e-learning, such as learning involving practical skills.
According to Technav, a UK-based technology research firm, the VR education field is expected to grow to a $1.7 billion market by 2021, nine times its current size, making VR x education a field with great potential as a business.
Learning Management System (LMS) supporting e-learning
Learning Management System (LMS)
LMS is an abbreviation for Learning Management System, which is a system that integrates and centrally manages the creation and distribution of learning materials and grade data necessary for e-learning.
The structure of an LMS can be broadly divided into e-learning functions and management functions.
By implementing an LMS, administrators can centrally manage the progress of learners and their learning outcomes.
Background of LMS Development
Before the telecommunications environment and in-house network were in place, the Internet was not widely used, and course materials were distributed on recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs.
In the 2000s, ADSL and fiber-optic lines spread to homes, and all PCs in companies were connected to the network.
As PCs were connected to the Internet, LMS (Learning Management System) emerged as software specialized for providing e-learning on the Internet. The creation of an online e-learning learning environment, along with the widespread use of the Internet, and other factors, has expanded the opportunities for companies to adopt e-learning.
When LMSs first appeared, they were primarily used by large corporations. Large companies used their capital and technological capabilities to develop their own LMS and teaching materials on that LMS, which could only be used by a small number of companies and organizations.
*ADSL: An Internet service that uses an analog telephone line to transmit data through an ADSL modem.
Main Functions of LMS
The Japan E-Learning Consortium, a non-profit organization promoting the spread and standardization of e-learning, introduces the main functions of LMS as follows
Registration, modification, and deletion of learners
Registration of teaching materials, assignment of teaching materials to learners
Management of individual learner's learning history, learning progress, and grades
Grade tallying and statistical analysis functions
Setting up a bulletin board for information sharing and sending e-mails to learners
Reference source: Japan E-Learning Consortium
Four major functions of LMS
The LMS has four major functions: "managing teaching materials," "distributing teaching materials," "managing accounts," and "managing grades.
LMS Function #1: Managing Course Materials
Some LMS functions only allow the use of educational materials that have been pre-registered by the operator. A system that allows users to register their own content or create content within the system may be called an "LCMS" among LMSs.
LMS Function #2: Distribution of Learning Materials
All learning materials for e-learning are stored in the LMS, and the materials stored in the LMS are distributed to students' devices via the Internet.
The "doing" functionality, such as playing videos, learning content, and administering exams. Although these functions are always present in any LMS, the types of learning materials that can be handled differ depending on the LMS.
LMS Function 3: Managing Accounts
Allow users to register themselves
The administrator registers each user one by one.
The administrator registers each user by CSV file.
・Administrator registers by CSV
LMS Function #4: Managing Grades
The LMS also records all of the learner's learning status. Therefore, even if there are many students in a large company, the learning status can be centrally managed, and learners can be managed and analyzed in various segments.
Unification of standards by SCORM
If LMSs are provided by many different companies and are based on different standards, user convenience and ease-of-use will be compromised. Therefore, the LMS industry proposed the establishment of a standard called SCORM.
SCORM is a standard for e-learning platforms and content. It has been established by the Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL), a U.S. Department of Defense-affiliated standards organization.
The SCORM standard is now the standard so that materials can be compatible even if different LMSs are used by different providers.
You can read more about SCORM here.
Conclusion
In this article, we introduced the history of e-learning, the history of e-learning, and learning management systems that support e-learning.
In the next article, we will discuss how to use e-learning and the benefits of e-learning, based on the articles introduced in this issue, in accordance with the customer's usage scenario.
Thank you very much for your patience.
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