What is e-Learning? How do you evaluate e-learners?

Definition:

The term ‘E-learning’ can simply be defined as ‘deliverance of education or any learning via any electronic means’. The process of e-learning can take place via cell phones, computers, digital diaries, and the likes. Secondly, e-learning is not solely dependant upon the Internet. However, e-learning can be acquired through any other electronic means, such as telephones lines, etc.

Generally, people are baffled between e-learning and online learning. There is a big difference between both of them. This difference should be clearly understood.
Online learning means ‘learning through internet or any other means online such as telephones and stuff’. E-learning can also be conducted through e-products like digital diaries, CD-ROM, etc.

Although, this fact cannot be denied that the Internet helped distance learning a lot, today, e-learning is the primary purpose served by internet.

There are two main types of E-learning:

E-journey:

E-journey is basically related to internet. It is a tour of websites regarding your search. You explore the web for what you want. It is training. This program takes the learner through various data providing sites and allows him to select what he thinks is better for him.

Blended Learning:

Blended Learning is a more modern approach towards e-learning. It includes the use of all modes of e-learning which includes internet as well as products like CD-ROMS, etc.

Evaluating an e-learner:

The sad part of all is that E-learners are not recognized widely. Even, in the developed states they are just preferred by 30% of the people. Anyhow, e-learners avail various benefits. As everyone knows that e-learning is the newest form of learning; it exposes you to the modern technology.

Although, we cannot deny the fact that students of traditional colleges are preferred over e-learners. But, if we look at the development of an e-learner, we get to know that they build up better qualities during their courses.
Some of the qualities you will find in an E-learner are given below:

Expansive approach:

E-learners are exposed to a wide range of subjects and tools. In this way, they develop a fair knowledge about things. They also have choices in selecting their subjects. This enables an e-learner to select subjects they think are suitable for them. As we all know, in a traditional college, the subjects are scheduled according to the course taken.

Better managerial skills:

An e-learner learns to manage his abilities with his work. A traditional college student is assisted by his fellow students and teachers, but an e-learner has to do everything on his own. This makes him capable of handling and managing stuff.
Evaluating an e-learner is an abstruse task for many. The reason for this is that there is a large number of people unaware of the advantages e-learning can provide. Even the American Federation of teachers refused to accept the credibility of e-learners.