eLearning and Innovative Learning? 

What Is eLearning? What Is Innovative Learning?
What Does Innovative Learning Mean To You?
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eLearning is just the beginning! Innovative Learning is so much more!
  • eLearning
  • Innovative Learning
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Why eLearning?
eLearning and collaborative technologies are saving money and dramatically changing the way we educate, communicate and conduct business. Today organizations are targeting students, employees, customers, and even investors with eLearning initiatives. While eLearning is being recognized as a cost effective tool to transform education, provide workplace training, and enable life-long learning, eLearning is also providing cost effective solutions for business development including sales and marketing presentations, customer and investor relations, technical support and product training, collaboration and online meetings, project management, and much more.

What Is eLearning?
Generally when people think about eLearning they envision online learning aka web-based learning, or distance learning. But eLearning also encompasses everything from computer based learning including DVDs, desktop apps, and Cable TV, to smart boards, and now mobile devices and apps. eLearning makes learning accessible anytime, anywhere, provides life-long learning opportunities, and complements or provides alternatives to traditional learning environments such as classrooms, homes, libraries and workplace settings.
 
These technologies enable applications such as:
  • Virtual classrooms
  • Digital curriculum
  • Simulations
  • Game based learning
  • How-to' videos
  • Augmented reality
  • Virtual laboratory experiences
  • So much more
 And communication and collaboration technologies such as audio/video/web conferencing, social media, and streaming media such as webcasting and podcasting, provide convenient access to:
  • Worldwide communication
  • Online meetings
  • Events
  • Workforce development opportunities
Innovative Learning encompasses new ideas and technologies such as
  • eLearning & Blended learning
  • Open Education Resources 
  • Digital curriculum
  • Innovative learning spaces
  • Mobile learning
  • Individualized self paced learning
  • Competency/outcome based education
  • Flipped classrooms
  • Adaptive learning models
  • Data analytics and assessments
  • Innovation Labs/Makerspaces
  • 3D printing
  • Coding
  • Project based learning
  • Robotics
  • Game based learning
  • Virtual lab experiences
  • STEM Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Career & Technical Education
  • So Much More

More About eLearning - ​eLearning Delivery Styles

Synchronous
Real-time, instructor-led online learning (virtual) classroom. All participants are logged on at the same time and communicate directly with each other. The instructors have the ability to "call on" students, individually. Interaction may also be via audio or video conferencing, Internet telephony, or two-way live broadcasts.

Asynchronous
Learning via interaction between separated instructors and students and occurs intermittently with a time delay. Examples:
  • Self-Paced Courses Taken Via The Web Or CD-ROM
  • Q&A Mentoring
  • Online Discussion Groups
  • E-mail
  • Videotaped Classes
  • eLearning Options

There are many forms of eLearning, distance learning, computer based learning (CBL) to support education and training. Your choice will be based upon a number of factors such as: your goals, funding, size of your organization and number of learners, availability of technology, instructional level (i.e. high school, workplace, etc.), and instructor and student comfort with technology.

The following is a quick summary of eLearning alternatives:
  • Use of technology (Internet, CD's) to complement local classroom/workplace learning
  • Online Only -- No Face-To-Face Meetings
  • Blended -- Combination Online & Face-To-Face
  • Synchronous -- Real Time Multi-Student Online Instructor Led
  • Asynchronous-- Students-Instructor Intermittent Interaction
  • Instructor-led group
  • Self-study
  • Self-study with subject matter expert
  • Web-based (Individual or Group)
  • Computer-Based (CD-ROM) (Individual or Group)
  • Video/Audio tape