Author : Mokhtar Amami

Technologies are Revolutionize eLearning

Today, many technologies integrating many characteristics of hypertext/multimedia/ hypermedia systems (HmH) and Web-based learning are revolutionizing eLearning. For example, intelligent mobile phones embody those characteristics such as digital sound, images, text, graphics, video, and music.

The rapid development of functionality and capability of Learning Management System (LMS – e.g., Moodle) is a major driver of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)’ popularity and eLearning providers (for-profit and non-profit organizations).

Hypertext, multimedia, hypermedia, and new emerging learning technologies will accelerate eLearning adoption and deployment. LMS technology trends are exploding. All these technologies combine both visual and auditory channels. Combining visual and auditory channels increases knowledge retention. Multimedia allows the stimulation of learners’ both visual and auditory channels, resulting in better understanding and learning. Emerging technologies embody more innovations, helping the development of personalized tools.

Driven by mobile intelligent phones, tablets, bandwidth (5G is coming soon), and social networking, learning can be achieved everywhere through a multitude of expert-authored videos, expert blogs, tweets, and webcasts. The huge growth of internal and external content is encouraging LMS providers to design and deliver a learning system with enhanced functionality and capability. In this environment, content is sliced into small segments with more relevant information and knowledge. That is why mobile-based learning (mLearning) and MicroLearning (learning method that fits anytime and anyplace). Smartphones with their enhanced features allow learners to share content, images, video, audio, documents and so forth, hence fostering P2P–peer to peer- learning. P2P is an effective collaborative method that facilitates the transfer of explicit knowledge (codified and easy to transfer). Because of enhanced functionality of technology, part of tacit knowledge (sticky knowledge and costly to transfer) can be transferred through the P2P mechanism making it an effective way of learning. British Telecom saved 12 million dollars per year by using an open-source learning solution, encouraging peer teaching.

eLearning, and its driver MOOCs, is the early development of an open participatory learning infrastructure that may, in the future, become a global learning ecosystem, which includes a focus on peer-learning. Peer learning will evolve to group formation that shares an area of interest where members develop shared understanding and trust, allowing them to work, innovate, and develop entrepreneurial projects together. P2P based learning will foster a kind of peer-to-peer society, where everyone is able to teach and learn from others. This kind of P2P learning will enhance collaboration and develop a distributed shared knowledge, resulting in life- long learning.

Social Learning (web 2.0) is rising as a way of learning. “Social learning theories help us to understand how people learn in social contexts” (Vygotsky, 1978). Indeed, when people interact with each other, learning will result. It is a powerful form of learning, particularly in the workplace. Discussion forums, note sharing, and other forms of interaction using collaborative platforms help people generate and share ideas. Social learning is becoming a feature of LMSs. Social learning is different from social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. Social learning is designed for the professional environment and not for ad-hoc interaction.

ICT continues to develop rapidly (e.g., 5G) along with awareness of the need to increase accessibility for learning, reskilling, and training. Emerging technologies are opening-up huge learning opportunities for large masses of individuals.

eLearning in Cloud computing Environment

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services such as storing, accessing data and programs, networking, databases, business intelligence, learning, and more over the Internet. Cloud Computing provides flexibility, an easy adaptation to eLearning’s value proposition, computational requirements, and easy network accessibility allowing learning institutions to respond promptly to the exponential growth of eLearning. Cloud computing offers eLearning institutions scalability, accommodating a large number of students enrolling in a MOOC which cannot be handled by a conventional web server. Moreover, pay-per-use and realized savings in new hardware and additional software licences make cloud computing a kind of computation paradigm shift.

Cloud Computing provides faster and universal access, flexible use of resources and economies of scale, and lower operating costs. The development of cloud computing allows business enterprises to scale exponentially. Likewise, cloud computing enables eLearning platforms to develop and become responsive, fast, and easy to scale-up, reaching everybody worldwide who has access to Internet. The progress of cloud computing technologies can provide quality education and enhance quality learning experiences on a large scale all over the world. All these characteristics confer to cloud computing the role of a sound alternative to eLearning.

Game-Based Learning:

Game-based learning is on the rise. The emergence of the gamification concept shows the importance of this phenomenon. Gamification refers to a process of taking an existing website, an online community or a learning application and integrating games into it in order to “increase motivation” (Dichev & Dicheva, 2017). The ultimate goal is to combine enjoyment and involvement by attracting students’ attention and encouraging them to improve their learning and understanding.

Adaptive learning:

Adaptive learning is rising as an effective method of learning, training or reskilling. Learners have different backgrounds, experiences, and skill levels. Consequently, their needs are different from one group to another and from one individual to another. Adaptive learning is an automatic process that filters and recommends content to learners based on their backgrounds, education levels, skill levels, and experiences. An Automated intelligent tool that learns, adapts, and somewhat behaves and acts autonomously, allows users, based on their profile data – revealed choices – interests, to display needed content. Consequently, adaptive learning intelligent software allows learners to move rapidly through materials they already know and focus on those that they need to enhance their learning and improve their skills. Adaptive technologies, therefore, can reduce the time it takes learners to become knowledgeable. This improves the effectiveness of training and learning programs for business enterprises and academic learning as well. Looking ahead, adaptive learning can potentially improve dramatically learning by relieving learners from information overload and useless information, making future learning very promising.

MicroLearning:

The rise of smartphones and ubiquitous Internet (Anywhere, Anytime, Any Device) is fostering MicroLearning. Courses are designed in small learning units and short-term assignment activities giving learners the perception of being in control of what and when they are learning. This method of learning is particularly appropriate for specific easy problems,

leveraging easy search and the use of entering keywords. Mobile applications are not costly to design and maintain. Moreover, they are ubiquitous and embody the capabilities to adapt to a full-scale platform or a website. In the near future, mobile applications will revolutionize the entire learning industry.

Content Curation:

Content curation is increasingly used as a learning tool. Curation services are used both by business enterprises and end-users. Content curation is a process of collecting, organizing, and presenting relevant information from reliable sources related to domain areas or specific topics in a manner that enhances understanding. Curation allows organizations to customize eLearning and deliver it through mLearning.

Leveraging the Extended Business Enterprise:

LMS’s capability allows business enterprises, or any organization, to use a central system that deploys unique learning experiences for various teams of learners throughout the supply chain. This will help to interface and develop a kind of shared understanding of business processes and enhance visibility. Moreover, each learner of any teamwork will be able to view content curated to his/her specific needs. Content curation as a process of gathering information relevant to a particular area of interest can be valuable for all actors along the supply chain.

Advanced Learning Devices:

Advanced learning devices play a major role in eLearning. The new emerging devices for learning allow students to learn in a way that meets their needs. Advanced learning devices are making learning more inclusive, helping learners with certain disabilities such as dyslexia. Audiobooks, dictation software, and reading applications are already helping many students. The spread of AI devices, that speak and interact with the learner, is facilitating greater understanding. Moreover, it presents an opportunity for instructors to encourage learner involvement, thereby creating more participation and deep learning environments for all students.