by Renu Muthoo
When the internet was developed in its most basic form over 40 years ago, no one would have imagined that in such a short time, it would become the ultimate platform for information flow & processing and change the way not only how information is shared, but also the way we live. Sometimes we pause and reflect on the times when access to information was not as easy and convenient, and often wonder how we ever managed anything! A click of a button sends loads of information and documents across continents in seconds via e-mail that would normally take days, if not weeks, via regular mail (snail mail as we like to call it now). Gone are the days of standing in bank queues to pay your bills or withdraw funds, thanks to the ease and convenience of online banking. Today music, software, movies, books, social and business networking and a plethora of other things are available to us from the convenience of our homes or office, thanks to the amazing power of the internet.
The internet has also globalized access to education by breaking down the traditional geographical limitations and barriers. Today students and professionals in geographically distant areas across the world can study and learn courses via online learning tools and e-learning. This has opened a vast market for education. On the other hand, for students, e-learning has opened opportunities for acquiring education and skills by being able to take courses at their own flexible pace without giving up employment or family commitments.
Among the various approaches to e-learning, professional learning programs tend to be delivered through a managed learning environment. Screencasting is another approach where regular in-class lectures and teaching aids are recorded and streamed via the internet. However, the vast majority of e-learning today comprises of the following methods and tools:
- e-Stores – To purchase the published courseware or documentation related to the course easily. ASCENT e-store provides a variety of titles to choose from e.g. Autodesk, CATIA, and Pro/ENGINEER products. Table of Contents and sample chapters are available to understand that the content provided in that course material matches your requirements and needs.
- eBooks - The courseware and educational materials can be downloaded digitally on to a personal computer or any other device such as a phone or a tab. All ASCENT titles are provided in the eBook format and are delivered through the VitalSource format. These eBooks are bookmarked with page numbers and the datasets for the practice files can be downloaded using a link (provided in the eBook).
- e-Learning – Text or media based learning that can be accessed or downloaded anytime. ASCENT provides its e-Learning solutions though ProductivityNOW.
Only time will tell whether e-learning will become the standard method of education in future and whether we will no longer need brick and mortar institutions. A few years ago, that idea may have seemed far-fetched, but not anymore!!!!!!
