FAQ's Online eEducation

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What is Online or eLearning?

eLearning is using the Internet for learning. All it requires is an Internet connection and a Web browser, which enable people to learn at any time or place.

It is a relatively new and innovative style of learning in which students are not required to attend scheduled classes. It consists of a virtual learning environment on the web. The study material has been specially designed to give you as much guidance as possible because you will not be sitting in a classroom with other students listening to a lecturer. You will however be able to ask each other questions through email and other facilities available on the web. This means that you can study anywhere like your home or an office at any time, and although there may be deadlines to meet, you will be able to study at your own speed. As all the material will be available to you, you will also be able to go through difficult parts of the course a number of times if you did not fully understand them the first time.

Why learn via eLearning?

It encourages students to be more creative and inquisitive and they learn to access new technologies readily. Students have the flexibility to access unit notes, chat room discussions and communicate with the facilitators at times which are most convenient to them. This flexibility makes it an ideal education option for people with work or personal commitments which make it difficult to attend a traditional classroom-type course. It is for example, ideal for those who work shift hours and who always seem to be sleeping when others have the chance to attend college. It is also a good option for people who cannot afford either the time or the money to travel abroad for their education.

What is the difference between online programmes and those conducted in a class?

Both programmes are quite similar except that the mode of delivery is different. For the online learning mode, everything will be conducted through the web. This includes 'attending classes' through web chat sessions, accessing module notes and even interacting with facilitators online.

Is eLearning For Me?

eLearning is for practically everyone. You can be a working professional who wants to refresh or update your IT skills, a student who wishes to pursue higher education, or an unemployed person who would like to study at your own pace from home. Just about anyone can tap into the power of the Internet to fulfil his learning needs.

How do I benefit from eLearning?

eLearning is a training solution that is cost-effective, convenient to access and consistent in quality. You can enjoy the flexibility of attending classes around your personal or work schedules, whether your goal is professional advancement, personal enrichment or earning transferable degree credits.

Online courses are an exceptionally accessible, flexible resource that gives the same high-quality instruction and course content that you demand, but without the day-to-day obstacles that prevent so many of us from pursuing our opportunities. In addition, each individual’s learning progress can be monitored and fed back to you for self-evaluation. In other words, this learner-centred methodology empowers you to manage your own learning experience, making it dynamic, personal and scaleable according to your needs.

Key Advantages of eLearning or studying on-line

There is no need to waste time travelling to classroom lectures.
You can network and have discussions with lecturers and students located around the world.
You have the advantage of a flexible study schedule to suit your own needs.
Study is self-paced. It allows you the discretion to review topics or speed them up in line with your understanding.
Immediate feedback on learning progress is provided privately for self-evaluation.
There is consistent quality in the delivery of the course which does not vary from instructor to instructor.
You are given the same curriculum coverage, reference materials, study guides and recognition as traditional classroom-based courses.
On-line study exposes you to the richness of group-learning.
On-line study encourages you to be more inquisitive, innovative and widens your access to new collaborative technologies, keeping you up-to-date with computer technology.
There is an on-line Evaluation Form at the end of each term for you to give immediate feedback on the programme.

How Does eLearning Work?

You will be supported by online course materials, which work in conjunction with discussion boards, synchronous live chat classrooms, email and downloadable course-related documents that create a rich learning experience for you.

As you receive your courseware via the Web, it allows you to work one-on-one without the constraints of a fixed time schedule or classroom location. You can go through the course materials as fast or as slow as you like, with full control and direction. This enables you, for instance, to review a topic as many times as you wish, or pick up the pace for topics you are already familiar with.

For each programme, an online facilitator who is an expert in the subject, will be assigned to the course. He takes on the role of a lecturer as in a classroom setting and leads you through the learning process on a weekly basis. He interacts with you and other students via regular chat sessions and answers all questions posted in the discussion room. These messages are recorded in the chat rooms so that you can review them later if you wish.

Students are also given off-line support in addition to the online academic experts. The team of technical professionals who are dedicated to the task of creating a rich learning experience for you, offer chatroom facilities, online exam revisions as well as round-the-clock customer service.

How Is Web-Based Training Conducted?

You will receive your courseware via an interactive platform and hands-on learning simulations. Basically you are free to work on your own without a classroom setting. You can go through the course as fast or as slow as you like, with full control and direction. This enables you for instance, to review a topic as many times as you wish, or pick up the pace for topics you are already familiar with. You learn independently via the immediate feedback provided, and it allows you to assess and evaluate your skills level with total privacy.

Web-based Training is ideal for…

Professionals looking for a convenient way to refresh or update specific skills and knowledge.
Professionals who need to keep their certification status or credentials current by meeting certain skills criteria.
Adult learners who have the discipline to study at their own pace and who prefer to work independently.
Companies wishing to train large numbers of people within a short period of time, or a small number of people over an extended period of time.
A work group at different starting points of a required skill.
Groups which are geographically dispersed.

Can I take an online course using any Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Yes, Online courses are designed to work with a variety of browsers and Internet Service Providers. The minimum browser requirement is at least a 4.0 version of either Netscape or Internet Explorer.

Are there any technical requirements on my part?

Each course may have slightly different requirements however in general, your PC should have the following minimum hardware and software facilities :-

1.Windows operating system

2.Any Internet browser (Netscape 4.O or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.O and above) that is Java-enabled. Earlier versions of these browsers may have problems reading Java and CGI scripting.

3.A multimedia Pentium Personal Computer (Optional : Sound Card, MPEG Media Software Player for playing Video CD-ROM)

4.Modem speed of 56kbs

You should have working knowledge of the Internet and an Internet account.

Here are some technical configurations that eCampus students should take note of:- Java-enabled Web Browser

Internet Explorer

1.From the Tools menu, select the sub-menu Internet Options

2.Under the Advanced section, check the "Java JIT compiler enabled".

3.Under the Advanced section, check the "Java JIT console enabled".

4.Press Apply and then OK to update the settings.

Netscape Navigator

1.Select Edit then Preferences

2.Under Advanced, enable and select "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript".

3.Press OK to update the settings.

Cache Settings

The cache settings must be set to update for every visit to the web page under the Internet Options of the Browser Menu.

A cache is where the computer stores information about every web site accessed. Instead of going to the web site to download the page, the computer checks if the page is available in its memory. If it is available the cache copy is displayed unless otherwise specified by the user in the browser settings.

This can cause problems because you would not see any changes or updates made to the pages if the browser displays the old version of the stored page. Set the browser settings to clear the cache for every access of the page.

Internet Explorer

1.From the Tools menu, select the sub-menu Internet Options.

2.Under the General section, select the Settings under the Temporary Internet Files.

3.Check the Every visit to the page and press OK.

4.Press OK to update the settings.

Netscape Navigator

1.Select Edit then Preferences.

2.Under Category expand Advanced by clicking on the +, select Cache

3.Check Every time in the section where it asks about comparing the cached document to the network document.

Company Firewalls

If you are accessing the web and WebCT from the office, you may run into problems with your company's network firewall security system. If you have persistent difficulty logging in, contact your IT staff and discuss the issue with them. Clear your plans with your IT staff before starting the process.

What Makes a Successful Online Student?

1. Take full advantage of online conferencing.

It is extremely important to do whatever you can to avoid feeling isolated and participating in online conferences will give you access to other students who are taking the same course at the same time.

2. Participate!

Whether you are working alone or in a group, contribute your ideas and comments on the subject you are studying, and read the comments from your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information. You can learn from your peers and they can learn from you too.

3. Take the program and yourself seriously.

Obtain the support of your colleagues, family and friends before you start out on your online adventure. This support system will help you tremendously as there will be times when you will have to sit at your computer for hours at a stretch in the evenings and on weekends. It will help to have people who understand and respect what you are trying to achieve.

4. Make sure you have a private space where you can study.

It is important to have a quiet space where you can shut the door and work in peace.

5. Become a true advocate of distance learning.

Discuss the merits of the process with whoever will listen. In discussing the value of online learning, you will reinforce its merits to yourself.

6. Log on to your course every single day.

Once you get into the online conferencing system, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course discussion group, you will fall behind and possibly find it difficult to catch up.

7. Take advantage of your anonymity.

Unless you are using video conferencing, no one can see you. You don’t have to feel worried by students who can speak faster than you as you can take as much time as you need to think your ideas through and compose a response before posting your comments to your class.

8. Be polite and respectful.

Just because you are anonymous, doesn’t mean you should let yourself go. You are dealing with real people on the other end of your modem. In a positive online environment, you will feel valued by your instructor, valued by your classmates and your own work will have greater value as well.

9. Identify if you are having problems.

Since your facilitator cannot see you, you must be absolutely clear with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, you MUST identify these otherwise there is no way that your facilitator will know. Also, if you don’t understand one of the concepts, the chances are that several other people have the same question. By commenting you will help each other out and you will reinforce your own knowledge about the subject.

10. Apply what you learn.

Practice and apply everything you learn as soon as possible after you learn as this will help you to remember it more readily. Also, try to make connections between what you are learning and what you do or will do in your job. Contributing advice or ideas about the real world as it applies to the subject matter you are studying helps you to internalise what you are learning, and gives valuable insight to your classmates who will benefit from your experience.