eLearning!

eLearning!

Now is a better time than ever to start an eLearning course. The internet is drastically expanding the field of distance learning opening up courses in everything from Spanish to learning how to build custom furniture. Moreover, as more and more people start with eLearning courses prices are decreasing rapidly and the quality of the courses are skyrocketing. Now really is the best time to start investigating the myriad available courses - there is almost certainly on available for you out there!

As time goes on and internet based technology improves, the potential quality of online distance learning courses also increases drastically. In the early days of distance learning, correspondance courses did not hold the value of normal courses due to the lack of face-to-face time with the teacher and the ease of cheating. However, technologies such as moodle have changed that - teachers can talk with students in real time while giving online lectures using whiteboard technology (a simple program that allows real time drawing and powerpoint presentation). Exams and coursework can be controlled and cleared for cheating and the overall quality of the material can increase drastically. It is now possible to run an actual virtual laboratory, meaning that a student can learn practical skills (yes, such as how to build custom furniture) from their own homes in their own time.

As a direct result of this increase in quality more and more people have been attending these e-courses. As they attend more and more, universities put more money into the courses, and, more importantly, regulatory agencies spring up. The most fundamental thing distance learning courses were previously lacking was the regulation of other courses. Institutes did not have to be accredited, diplomas did not have to be registered, the professor did not have to have any actual experience. However, with the current wave of distance learning programs this situation is changing, courses can actually be cleared and employers can actually be confident that you know as much as you know you know!

It is therefore a great idea to hop on this wave now - before everything starts getting very expensive. Now a good year long course can cost about $1000, a degree program more, but in time these prices will almost certainly go up. As demand increases and value increases so does price. I recommend that if you are thinking about starting an eLearning course you do so asap - or at the very least start searching for the right courses for you. A good place to start is the elearningyellowpages as this is an elearning specific resource with links not just to courses but to a wealth of information you will probably find useful.

Good luck!

Tag: elearning