The Use of Technology in Online Courses: Interactive and Effective

Introduction

The development of technology has played a vital role in every border of education and could provide decent opportunities to learn in order to fulfill the special needs for people. Nowadays, online learning is one of the popular learning methods among people. Online learning is the education which is based on the Internet and is also known as “e-learning”. Online learning is also a type of “distance learning” because it takes place across distances but not in traditional classrooms.

The Differences between traditional learning and online learning

In traditional learning, there is an instructor who moderates and regulates the flow of information and knowledge based on books, journals, audio, and videos. Traditional learning takes place in physical locations such as in universities. Traditional learning is called as “face-to-face learning”. Traditional learning has been used in universities and schools for many years. In a traditional classroom, students can learn and share their views and knowledge with their colleagues in the classroom. They can also take notes and ask questions directly to the teacher and the teacher will give the answer right away. Classroom notes and explanations of books from teachers are very helpful to students for studying and exams. Therefore, traditional learning is very useful for students because there is an interaction between students and teachers. Interaction with good teachers can help to achieve good grades.

Online learning is famous today because it is very flexible. People can learn anytime from any place. Online learning is suitable for the busy person whose schedule is full with work and other activities. Not like traditional learning, online learning is self-directed. In online learning, it is required to do some activities like presentations, assignments, projects, and quizzes. People have to learn not only from books, journals, audio, and videos but also from documents from websites, and electronic articles through search engines like Google, Bing, etc. There is an interaction with instructors in online learning by using communication options like email, instant messaging, online forums, chat rooms, and video conferencing.

Technologies used in online courses

Most universities and schools use technologies in online courses to improve the learning environment for students. Today, new technologies are becoming more reliable, comfortable, and affordable for students and these technologies bring more opportunities to learn in many different ways.

Most online learning is web-based and takes place on “online” websites. Some websites are learning management systems and virtual learning environments. Learning management systems are cloud-based software that is specially designed for documentation, tracking, and managing the delivery of educational content including learning programs, training programs, and developing programs. LMS uses the web-based sign-on process so that all students and instructors are easy to access the courses. The main function of the LMS is that the administrator uploads learning materials like lessons and contents on LMS in order to deliver to students. The progress of the students can be easily monitored by administrators and instructors and they can make improvements for students. LMS can help students to be efficient, cost-effective, and faster in learning. Like a learning management system, the virtual learning environment is also based on an online platform. It includes a set of learning and teaching tools, VLE can provide digital solutions by using the computer and internet that enhance the learning experience for students. VLE can help students and instructors not only in making an interactive learning environment but also in storing and creating in information, contents, and lessons between them. Students can also communicate with their instructors in the form of video conferences and email in real-time situations. A virtual learning environment (VLE) is included as a part of the learning management system (LMS). There are also some technologies which can be used for both face-to-face learning and online learning. These include assistive technologies, multimedia and presentation tools, mobile technologies, social networking tools, gaming, and virtual reality technologies.

Social impact of online learning

People improve skills from online learning and they make improvements in income, employment, health, education, society, and so on. One of the best impacts of e-learning on society is that of improved health. Because of this, one of the aims of Development Goal Five regarding improving health is to promote girls who are going to school, particularly primary school.

Educated girls have higher self-esteem, are more likely to avoid HIV infection, violence, and exploitation, and to spread good health and sanitation practices to their families and throughout their communities. Therefore, the Indian government have been investing in primary school education and secondary school education. Neither all parts of the society nor all parts of the Indian country can gain the education service of secondary education. So online learning is the solution for that problem. Research has shown that a lack in access to ICT created a gap between countries, and an even larger gap subsists within countries between rural and urban areas, between women and men, and between poor and rich. Online learning can play a society with the transitive ability. Culture also can play an important role in affecting how technology and online learning are adopted and adapted and how successful they actually are in improving learning.

Future trends of online learning

In recent years, the demand of online learning programs has increased with the use of various effective technologies such as learning management systems (LMS) and virtual learning environments (VLE), etc. As the technology in nowadays is developing rapidly and presenting in every sector of people’s daily lives, the online learning industry is also shifting to newer technology in order to learn easier, flexibly, and effectively. Several trends which can be useful and popular in the future are adaptive learning, Micro-learning, gamification, and mobile learning.

Adaptive learning: Adaptive learning is a style of online learning which can customize the learning contents like projects, assignments, activities, and resources for each individual student’s needs. In adaptive learning, the level of ease and the time taken with the learning programs are collected. This can help each student to get access in modified learning programs. The students will notice their weaknesses and can take some extra exercises, resources, and tests based on the weaknesses to improve their learning.

Micro-learning: Micro-learning is an educational trend that is moving beyond the scope of online learning. Micro-learning breaks down the course into several units. The amount of content that students have to learn in one go will be significantly reduced by the breaking down process of micro-learning. The units will be in different forms- assessments, reading, video conference, etc. The variety of units can increase retention and reduce monotony because it requires less time and can understand more easily. This can help the students who cannot concentrate for a long time. Nowadays, the micro-learning trend is being implemented in online learning and is also being used in some schools and workforce training programs.

Gamification: Gamification or game-based learning is another technique that is gaining popularity in online learning. It is also a popular choice for learning programs. In gamification, there is a combination of fun games and learning courses. The learners gain retention and happiness from gamification. The experiments are at low risk and the mistakes are not a huge problem because it is just a game. For instance, the learners have to face different situations and find the solution which may be based on the decision in game-based learning. The end result may be failure or success. Therefore, this game-based learning technology can help to improve in experiential learning courses.

Mobile learning: Mobile learning or mLearning is another appropriate trend to consider because smartphones are one of the most used gadgets by people. Nowadays, learning programs and courses are being developed on smartphones in order to use as educational tools. For example, several online learning programs are stepped into online learning by developing their apps. By logging in these apps will allow the users to access web content and learn content through the phones. The apps also allow in-app downloads for offline learning. However, mobile learning still needs to find a way to become easier to set up, widespread, and commonplace for learners.

Conclusion

As a popular learning method, online learning can create a learning environment to be more interactive and effective. This can help the people to gain knowledge and opportunities and improve their skills, income, health, and society. The use of technology in online learning can provide more flexible, comfortable, reliable, and affordable learning courses for the learners. Even though online learning needs improvement, it is still a useful and effective learning method that creates and helps the lives of people in an efficient way. With the improvement in online learning, there is a brighter future and positive impacts for the educational experience.