E-Learning / Distance Training Courses

More about E-Learning / Distance Training Courses

What are E-learning / Online / Distance / Flexible Learning Courses?

Currently the most popular study method for busy professionals looking to gain a qualification alongside their working or personal lives is E-Learning / Online / Distance / Flexible Learning.

E-learning, also known as electronic learning, or online learning refers to training courses that are web-based, or on studied online on a distance basis. E-learning makes use of information and communications technology to provide innovative ways to learn. E-learning, and its associate learning forms also include types of technology-enhanced learning (TEL), where technology is used to support the learning process.

E-learning is very varied, as the types of courses differ depending on thecourse providers and education institutions themselves, and the way in which they themselves incorporate their courses with e-learning. Within companies e-learning often refers to the strategies that use the company network to deliver training courses to employees. Universities refer to e-learning as the specific mode of studying in which students attend a course, or programme of study where the students rarely or never meet face-to-face, nor access on-campus educational facilities, because they study online.

E-learning / Online / Distance Learning training courses

Distance / Online / E-Learning / Flexible Learning training courses - explore the opportunities

Distance or Flexible learning training courses give you the freedom to learn when and where you want, and at your own pace. E-learning /( Distance courses are offered at a variety of training institutions, and include a wide range of subjects at any level, which is ideal if the subject you're interested in isn't available nearby. Additionally, distance / flexible learning / e-learning courses are generally designed to guide delegates through information or to help delegates perform specific tasks. There are varies sorts of ways in which the information is transferred in e-learning courses, from information-based e-learning where content communicates information to the student, to  performance-based content, where the lessons build off of a procedural skill in which the student is expected to increase proficiency. 

In online / e-learning, a variety of media is used to help with learning and to provide communication between students and tutors, including:

• traditional written materials, such as books and manuals
• audio tapes and CD-ROMs
• online information and online groups
• video conferencing
• email support

Benefits of e-learning / online / distance / felxible learning

E-Learning / Online / Distance / Flexible learning can provide for major benefits for the organisations and individuals involved. Whilst fitting your studying in around your work, or life, you can set your own pace, decide when suits you best for studying, and where. Organisations benefit greatly from online / e-learning courses as they do not lose employees to out-of-office courses, and can better apply the skills they learn to the office as they have the opportunity to study in-office.

With e-learning / distance / flexible learning courses there is often a tutor available to provide support by phone, email, online or by post. You might also be able to communicate with other learners by email or website discussion groups, which helps you learn from the rest of the group and comment on each other's work. There is usually a good range of support available to help you organise your time and manage your learning.

Other benefits can be summarised as follows:

1. Improved performance: students in online learning generally perform better than those in face-to-face courses.
2. Increased access: Instructors of the highest calibre can share their knowledge across borders, allowing students to attend courses across physical, political, and economic boundaries, and it greatly reduces costs.
3. Convenience and flexibility to learners: e-learning is self-paced and the learning sessions are available whenever it's convenient. Delegates are not bound to a specific day/time to physically attend classes.

E-learning Business and Management training courses
E-learning Language training courses

Distance learning courses

Distance learning courses, similarly and complimentary are ideally suited to the needs of working adults, as students not need to travel to attend any classes. As with online / e-learning courses students are able to study for specific courses or university degree entirely online, from home, work, on the move or wherever else is convenient, and at times to suit themselves.

Distance courses also include periodic face-to-face interaction, and delegates are given the opportunity to attend classes when they need them or meet with their tutors during their online study period to assist with their learning.

Distance learning courses

Flexible learning courses

Flexible learning is a popular choice of study for many professionals. Using face-to-face workshops, self-study through distance learning, and online / e-learning techniques, Flexible Learning is the ultimate combination of distance learning for many working professional.

Flexible Learning is beneficial as it uses the different approaches to ensure that the learning experience is a positive one, with successful outcomes.

Online learning training courses

A recent approach to e-learning is known as Learning 2.0 or Web 2.0 Learning, which relies more on collaboration, informal learning, and blended learning, and uses technology to enhance learning. Web-based learning takes an information in small pieces, and transfers content loosely to students. This form of online learning combines the use of discrete but complementary tools and web services - such as blogs, wikis, and other social software - to support the creation of ad-hoc learning communities.

Online learning courses