Table 1 Definition of e-learning terms and implementation considerations for resource-constrained setting
From: E-learning in medical education in resource constrained low- and middle-income countries
Term | Definition | Faculty and student support services needed |
|---|---|---|
Blended learning | A mixing of different learning environments and approaches that often includes both face-to-face classroom methods and computer-mediated activities in and/or outside the classroom. | ♦→ Curriculum design or re-design (at a minimum course-level) expertise |
♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | ||
○ Learning Management System | ||
♦ Facilities for e-learning product development | ||
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
○→ Tool availability for faculty and student use | ||
Pure e-learning / Fully-online | Complete reliance on e-learning materials for use without any face-to-face classroom methods. The nuanced difference between pure e-learning and fully-online tends to refer to the delivery platform. Fully online implies reliance on a web-based solution while pure e-learning is independent of the delivery platform. | ♦→ Curriculum design or re-design (at a minimum course-level) expertise |
(Terms tend to be used interchangeably) | ♦ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | |
○ Learning Management System (at a minimum) | ||
♦→ Specialized tools based on subject matter availability and support | ||
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
♦→ Facilities for e-learning product development | ||
○→ Professional staff available for production of e-learning solutions | ||
○→ Tool availability for faculty and student use | ||
♦→ Digital library resources | ||
Computer-assisted instruction / Computer-aided instruction / Computer-based learning / Computer-based training | The use of instructional material presented by means of a computer or computer system to enhance instruction and facilitate interactive learning. | ♦→ Commercial products available |
(Terms tend to be used interchangeably) | ||
○→ Budget for purchasing and support | ||
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
○→ Licensing/Membership costs covered | ||
♦→ Facilities for e-learning product development | ||
○→ Professional staff available for production of e-learning solutions | ||
○→ Tool availability for faculty and student use | ||
Digital library | An organized collection of electronic resources, including publications, webcasts, electronic books, etc., that can be accessed via computers on a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN). | ♦→ Commercial products available |
○→ Budget for purchasing and support | ||
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
○→ Licensing/Membership costs covered | ||
♦→ Reliable and supported digital library tools available | ||
Distance education / Distance learning / Distributed learning | A field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology for students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom. Blended learning and pure e-learning can be thought of as examples of distance education. Distributed learning, although it tends to be used interchangeably, implies a more learner-centered approach to the design of instruction. | ♦→ Curriculum design or re-design expertise |
♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | ||
○→ Learning Management System (at a minimum) | ||
(Terms tend to be used interchangeably ) | ♦ Specialized tools based on subject matter availability and support | |
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
♦ Facilities for e-learning product development | ||
○→ Professional staff available for production of e-learning solutions | ||
○→ Tool availability for faculty and student use | ||
♦→ Digital library resources | ||
E-teaching | Involves the use of electronic instructional materials in both face-to-face and virtual classroom situations, and often nurtures interaction with information, materials, and ideas. | ♦→ Commercial products available |
○→ Budget for purchasing and support | ||
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
○→ Licensing/Membership costs covered | ||
♦→ Facilities for e-learning product development | ||
○→ Instructional technology tools training options | ||
○→ Tool availability for faculty and student use | ||
♦ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | ||
Internet-based learning / Web-based learning / Online learning / Virtual education | An educational approach that involves the use of the internet for delivering learning materials, and supports teaching and learning using various online resources.These terms tend to be used interchangeably among educators because of their reliance to an internet connection; however, they do refer to different technology approaches. For example, web-based learning relies on an internet connection and the use of a web-browser with appropriate plug-ins to run different applications while Internet-based applications require an internet connection but not a web-browser. The core differences among these terms are how they are implemented from an Information Technology/Systems perspective. | ♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available |
○→ Training options available | ||
♦→ Reliable and supported networked infrastructure available | ||
(Terms tend to be used interchangeably) | ||
Learning Management System / Course Management System | A web-based application for the administration, documentation, tracking, and reporting of educational programs. Other tools, such as digital libraries can be integrated as part of an LMS to make it a more robust learning environment. | ♦→ Training options available |
○→ LMS how-to training | ||
○→ Integration of LMS in teaching and learning training | ||
♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | ||
(Terms tend to be used interchangeably) | ||
Mediated learning | More commonly known as “computer-mediated learning” and/or “ICT-mediated learning” involves the use of a computer that enables or facilitates teacher-student interactions. There is a subtle difference between computer-aided instruction and mediated learning around the structured nature of the interaction. Computer-aided instruction is produced by adhering to the instructional design process and tends to be implemented as part of formal or non-formal education while mediated learning allows for informal learning opportunities. | ♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available |
○→ Training options available | ||
Mobile learning | An approach that involves the use of mobile technologies so that learners can access instructional materials remotely for just-in-time learning. This often entails the use of smart phones or tablets. | ♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available |
○→ Training options available | ||
♦→ Integration of classroom facilities with mobile learning solution options | ||
○→ Lecture-capture options | ||
Polling / Audience response system / Clickers / Keypads/ Student Response System | This approach allows large groups of people to vote on a topic or answer questions using remotes, keypads and/or other mobile devices. The results are instantly made available to participants. | ♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available |
(Terms tend to be used interchangeably) | ||
○→ Training options available | ||
♦→ Commercial products available | ||
○→ Budget for purchasing and support | ||
Simulation-based learning | An approach to learning that mimic real systems and/or situations to learn through exploration, performing experiments, solving problems before implementing in the real world. E-learning simulations use information and communications technologies to create these environments so that learners can engage in individual and/or collaborative problem solving. | ♦→ Facilities available for use by faculty and students |
♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | ||
○→ Commercial products available | ||
▪→ Budget for purchasing and support | ||
▪→Instructional technology tools training options | ||
▪→Licensing/Membership costs covered | ||
○→ Custom-built products based on specific instructional needs | ||
▪→Staffing expertise for implementation, maintenance, and support | ||
Video Teleconferencing (VTC) | A way to engage people at different locations in synchronous interaction. VTC includes video and audio feeds streaming in real time. Virtual classrooms can be conducted using VTC tools that allow for live teacher instruction and feedback via audio/video interactions, whiteboard sharing, polling, breakout sessions, etc. | ♦→ Facilities available for use by faculty and students |
♦→ Reliable and supported instructional technology tools available | ||
○→ Commercial products available | ||
▪→Budget for purchasing and support | ||
▪→Instructional technology tools training options | ||
▪→Licensing/Membership costs covered | ||
○→ Open-source products available | ||
▪→Staffing expertise for implementation and support |